Education Purpose - Distance Learning - University Reviews

reBlog from conradsharry.blogspot.com: Kerja Keras Adalah Energi Kita

2009-12-31T11:47:00.001+07:00

I found this fascinating quote today:

First post article. I reviewed the Pertamina history titled "Kerja Keras Adalah Energi Kita". It's explain who they are, what the do and my expectations for them.conradsharry.blogspot.com, Kerja Keras Adalah Energi Kita, Dec 2009

You should read the whole article.

reBlog from conradsharry.blogspot.com: Kerja Keras Adalah Energi Kita - Pertamina Blog Contest 2009: Need more Energy and Kerja Keras

2009-12-29T03:53:00.001+07:00

I found this fascinating quote today:

The "Kerja Keras Adalah Energi Kita" Pertamina Blog Contest 2009 is getting close to the final day at Januari 5th 2010. I've been spent much times to optimize the sentences "Kerja Keras Adalah Energi Kita" in many possible ways, but seems my hard work (Kerja Keras) still did not enough, Google just gave me a little attentions and put my blog in number 8 in Search Engine Result.conradsharry.blogspot.com, Kerja Keras Adalah Energi Kita - Pertamina Blog Contest 2009: Need more Energy and Kerja Keras, Dec 2009

You should read the whole article.

Hardwork is Our Energy

2009-12-16T13:38:00.003+07:00

Kerja Keras ibarat Tangga, Keberuntungan adalah Eskalator

Eskalator terkadang tak berdaya,
Namun Dalam kondisi apapun,
Hanya Tangga yang selalu dapat mambantu.

Keberuntungan mungkin membantu satu kali,
Kerja Keras yang selalu dapat membantu.
Kerja Keras Adalah Energi Kita.

Hardwork is like the stairs, Luck is like a lift.

Lift may fail sometimes.,
But whatever may be the occasion,
Stairs will always get you to the top.

Luck might help you once,
Hardwork helps always,
Hardwork is our energy.

Source: Hard work is our energy (kerja keras adalah energi kita)

Education Instruction: Provide & Improve Education

2009-02-11T10:42:00.002+07:00

Do we ever asked ourselves why do we need to study? Why do we have to attain a very competitive grades? And why our parents spend millions of money just to lend us to a better school. Why is that when we asked our parents about it they would say, “It is an accomplishment for us to see our children successful with their lives”.

Yes! each and everyone of us should be educated, for it does not solely gives the benefits to us but also to our economy. Education is the most powerful tool to achieve that. Our life is a series of what we do, at first, we need to go to grade school for the preparation for the high school level, and after that we will go to college in order to prepare us to the real world. The question is why do we need to study? It is definitely because proper schooling is the best way to provide each individual a knowledge that they can use in the real life situation, going back to our parents goal, they want us to live a successful life, with education it is believed so that we can able to get a high paying job with a large company. You may ask, why do we need to have a stable and high paying job? Basically, so that we can buy anything we want. But does it all ends there? No. Time will come and we will have our own children and we will be responsible for bringing them up, and providing education for them just like what our parents did for us. Now the weight of the the question is now on us. We need to provide education for our next generation so in that way we are also helping our economy by raising potential leaders of our own. People lives and people pass away, It is our task to do something great not for our selves only but also for the next generation to come and education is at best used.

Education can be seemingly interactive to each and everyone of us. With the use of technology we are now capable of studying online. The world wide web is really at big help for every students, for it provides useful information to support their researches. Education had been much better since with the use of technology online teaching was develop basically for the purpose of reaching those students who are fortunate enough to go to proper schooling.

Education gives us a chance to develop our career in the near future. Working on a big company with a competitive salary is our main target. Without a sweat we can now attain it with the use of online marketing like ozfree.com, it contains classified ads regarding job hunting and best tips for career growth. Each and everyone of us, even students can make use of the Internet to improve into a higher education. We believe that Education is a learning process and we should always update our knowledge.

About Author
Geoffrey Arado recommends the classifieds ads section of OzFreeOnline.com which has the best information on education and job hunting Visit OzFreeOnline today and get the best deal in computers!

Education Purpose: Online Education Advantage

2009-02-11T10:36:00.002+07:00

Why Online Education?

After a hectic time in high school, most graduates want to take some time off and have plenty of fun and unwind. A few also take jobs in order to pay for their education later - and others just want take the time to find out what they want to do. However, all of these delays are only hindrances to obtaining a degree and can have a negative effect on economic stability and future prospects.

It is well known that a bachelor's degree is prerequisite to getting a lucrative job in any industry - and the earlier one has it, the better it is in terms of career growth. So with all these choices to make, online undergraduate programs are becoming more popular than ever.

The Advantages

With the Internet maturing day by day, the quality of online education is improving, removing all possible barriers to higher education. The primary benefit of an undergraduate online education program is that physical presence is not required to take a course. So with a busy lifestyle for a time consuming job, if a person has the zeal to pursue further education, the online option gives students the opportunity to do both.

When work takes up most of your time, even after a few hours of socializing and doing chores a few hours to spare, online education makes it easy to progress in your chosen career field. For those who cannot pursue a degree because of geographical constraints, pursuing an undergraduate education online enables them to attend classes from their home computer and saves them time and gas.

Other Advantages

Pursuing an undergraduate online education offers a similar level of education that is provided in regular classes. Students can work on their program of study at their convenience. Studies never interfere with travel plans, employment and basically any activity that couldn't be done on the campus. Undergraduate online education is unique. They are more facilitative, as discussions are quick and easy to understand. Classes are held through chat, Internet meetings and email, as well with the subject coordinator and other students. There are virtually no shortcomings in online interactions.

Another advantage of undergraduate online education is that it is different from traditional education and benefits students by giving them access to develop technological competencies and exposure to telecommunication technologies. Also, online education gives students an exceptional experience in education, irrespective of age and geographic location. It provides psychological support by shedding introvert behavior and slow learning processes. With online education, students have time to prepare notes and other information discussed in the virtual classroom because all the subjects discussed will be posted online.

The best and most valid advantage of undergraduate online education is that there are a limitless number of courses by many educational institutes. From courses in fine arts to medical science, most are provided online and these e-learning courses are as simplified as possible.

About Author
Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution's Six Sigma Online offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

Earning Your Degree Online

2009-02-04T02:52:00.000+07:00

It is not at all surprising that numerous business schools and universities have established online degree programs.
Acquiring your first degree or advancing your education has become very popular for a diverse group of people.

Studying for your degree online has numerous advantages. Some of these advantages are:

The classes can be scheduled as you like. Studying can be scheduled at a convenient time for you. If you are a daytime worker, you can take classes at night or on the weekend.

If you have a family in addition to a hectic work schedule, it is tough to combine a working life with a learning life-especially if you have to commute to campus for scheduled classes and meetings.

Online degree programs let you study on your own terms, develop your presentations, or take exams when you have the time and energy to do so.

Over enrollment of students in classes is a common problem encountered at universities and colleges. Over enrollment in classes is usually not a problem when you pursue an online degree.

Students enrolled in an online degree program do not worry about being bumped out of classes.

Since you can take all your classes at home, there is no need for a costly commute to campus. The student never has to sit in traffic, wait at a bus stop, or contend with foul weather.

An online degree program is adjusted to your needs, as opposed to campus-based programs, in which classes are organized around the schedules of staff and faculty.

One of the best ways to enhance your career opportunities is to enroll in an online degree program. Online degree programs offer great flexibility; they combine online lectures from qualified business leaders with routine class meetings.

More than ever, companies are paying part or all of tuitions for employees who pursue graduate degrees in their field. From a cost-benefit perspective, online learning looks like a wise choice.

Earn Your Doctorate From An Online Nursing PhD Program

2009-02-03T02:48:00.000+07:00

Are you looking to earn your doctorate from an online nursing PhD program? Today, virtually all levels of education are available to meet your needs in the online environment. If you are looking to further you education to this level, there are plenty of benefits for you on the web. The goal that you should have is comparing the various schools as well as their curriculum to determine the most effective method of obtaining this degree program. If you want to earn your doctorate from an online nursing PhD program, there is no doubt that you can do just that.

Comparing Schools

One of the many things that you need to keep in mind is the level of education your currently have. Each online school will offer their program with different qualifications for you as well as different criteria in the program. You should determine how well these aspects compare to your specific needs. When it comes down to it, you will want to determine which the right fit for your needs is.

Compare the schools for their level of education as well. Things to consider including the school’s recognitions, the school’s pass rate of licensing programs, and their ability to provide one on one attention to their students. There is no doubt that having the best school will insure that you get the degree that you need to have rather than one that provides you with just a passing score. Still, there is much more to consider including how well the school provides for your needs in the method of educating you.

There are several opportunities for you that you can earn your doctorate from an online nursing PhD program. Finding them is not difficult, but taking the time to determine the right one for you should take some detailed considerations. With a few minutes online, you could be well on your way to having the doctorate that you are looking for. When you are ready to begin, get started online today. (Education Purpose)

Earn Bachelor Degree Online

2009-02-02T02:43:00.000+07:00

A Bachelors degree by definition is an academic degree conferred by a college or university upon those who complete the undergraduate curriculum. A Bachelor's Degree is the conventional degree given by undergraduate colleges and universities in the United States.

A Bachelor's Degree can be earned in four years of full-time college course work. The most common bachelor's degrees given by American schools are the Bachelor of Science degree, which is often referred to as a B.S. degree, and the Bachelor of Arts degree that is also called a B.A. degree.

Most students enrolled in universities and colleges in the United States are pursuing a bachelor's degree. Earning a bachelor's degree puts you in a position to earn more money than those with out the degree. Many jobs today even require that employees possess an accredited Bachelors degree. A Bachelors degree is a necessity for anyone who wants to move up in his or her current career as well. By earning your Bachelors degree, you will have taken the first step in securing a good base for your future.

After earning your 4-year degree, you are qualified to enter the workforce with broader options than those who study a concentrated curriculum. You are also qualified to go on to earn a masters degree. Those who take the time to earn a bachelors degree will see the benefits immediately upon entering the work force. Earning a bachelors degree produces one of the greatest financial gains on an educational investment.

You can earn a bachelor's degree in areas such as:

Accounting - Bachelor's degree candidates in accounting received starting offers averaging $43,269 a year
Advertising - Median annual earnings for advertising managers $63,610
Computer Science - Median annual earnings computer software engineers $91,390
Public Relations - Median annual earnings public relations specialists $43,830
Nursing - Median annual earnings of registered nurses $52,330

Holders of a bachelor's Degree will earn over $25,000 more per year than someone with only a high school diploma.

Effective Study Skill with M.U.R.D.E.R

2009-02-01T02:34:00.000+07:00

Chester Bennington is wailing, “The sun goes down, I feel the light betray me” on your radio; the cold beads of sweat that form on your forehead agree with Bennington– for the nth time you have a long exam tomorrow morning and you are nowhere near prepared. You call on every divinity, pray to every God, to be miraculously given effective study skills; however, you will settle for time to stop so you can cram longer.

Hypothetically, if time did stop, how can you make up for lost time and acquire effective study skills? How about through M.U.R.D.E.R.?

M.U.R.D.E.R. are:

Mood:
Think of studying as a date that you would like to impress and go out of your way. Create the right ambience. Pick a place that can help you concentrate, most people need a place where there is silence but there are a handful of people that need noise to concentrate. Play some music to sustain your mood.

Understand:
Get yourself a marker and mark areas of your text that strikes you as important; or make an outline of the material.

Recall:
Stop every once in a while to paraphrase what you have read in your own words; if you can express the idea in your own words, it means you have understood what you were studying and have also memorized it.

Digest:
You can also mark concepts or ideas that you did not understand and look it up further or ask for a second opinion from a classmate or the professor.

Expand:
Try to see the connection between the material you are currently studying and your previous lessons; or try to see the relevance of your text in your life.

Review:
Review the materials you have studied; ideally, you should be reviewing the highlighted texts and the notes you have made instead of reading everything again.

Whether you have a big exam or you just want to maintain a respectable GPA, always keep MURDER at the back of your mind: MURDER, the only crime that pays.

Burgers, Fries, Tacos and Nachos

2009-01-31T01:08:00.000+07:00

One of the many problems that students face while living away from home is their unhealthy diets they live on. Many students find it annoying or find it too expensive to eat a healthy meal and therefore resort to fast food and junk food because it is cheap and easy to get and clean up after.

Many students don't have the normal schedule as they used to have while they were in grade school. They don't have a time mandated to them for when they can eat breakfast and lunch and don't get out of school by 3 so they can eat dinner at home. In fact most college students have very ugly schedules depending on what classes they are taking this semester or quarter. Some classes begin at 8 in the morning and others start at 7 in the afternoon and end at 9 at night.

Because of these timeslots are all over the place a college student can not always find the time available when they usually eat their meals. For many students they have a problem of just trying to get the classes they need to take for that quarter or semester so they try to take the classes for the time slot they have free to the best of their convenience but that can conflict with the time when a student usually eats their meals interfering with their diet.

Students who are used to eating at around noon seem to have trouble accomplishing this simple task because they might have a class during that time period or they just finished one class and are heading to their next one. Feeling hungry a student might end up buying a quick bite to eat at a vending machine or from a fast food vendor during their small interval break. Grabbing fast food once in a while isn't all that bad but many students now resort to this method of getting food into their system because of the simplicity and quickness.

Because of the excess of junk food and fast food entering their system a student's diet becomes more and more unhealthy the more they rely of fast food and junk food to curve their hunger. Not only is it bad for your body it doesn't contain the necessary ingredients that a person may need to properly function.

Supplements are one way to fill in the gaps but they are an unhealthy way to maintain one's diet. And they are also pretty expensive. It may be cheap if you look at it long term, but you still need to pay it all at once. Paying fifty or sixty dollars for a bottle of supplements may seem a lot of money to many students who have to support themselves.

Also many students fall victim into the trend of relying on fast food and junk food because of the plain fact that they cannot cook for themselves. Which isn't all that surprising because for the first eighteen years of their lives most students have had someone else supply the meals for them and it was up to that person for what kind of food entered their bodies.

One of the ways to counter this problem is probably learn to cook and appreciate a good and healthy meal but that requires time and money to learn such a method.

Best Colleges for Pursuing a Communications Degree

2009-01-30T01:07:00.000+07:00

When it comes to choosing a college to pursue you degree in Communications you should take the time to do your research and visit as many schools as possible to find out what exactly sets there programs apart from others. While many schools claim to be the "best" it can be a subjective term as what defines the best is different for every person.

A college education is important in getting the job you want in life. Often we know generally what we would like to pursue in life but have a hard time nailing it down to a specific field. This is where schools and academic advisors come into play by helping you define your career goals and showing you the best way to pursue a degree in that particular field. For example, a communications specialist can work in human resources, advertising, publications, research and development, sales and marketing, and training departments. They can do contract work as a freelancer, work for a consulting or public relations firm, in the foreign service, for the government at all 3 levels, labor unions, non-profit organizations, in the medical services field, and at colleges, universities, technical and vocations schools. From one degree all these potential career opportunities exist!

The best way to find a school that matches you interest and will provide the quality of education you are seeking in your field is to contact others who are already in the industry. You can not only find out from them what college they went to but also what they feel is important when choosing a college because of the real-life experience they have working in the field. Often they recommend you look into a different school than they attended because of what they have learned on the job.

Athletic Scholarships

2009-01-29T01:03:00.000+07:00

Students who excel at sports such as baseball, basketball, football, soccer, gymnastics, rowing, athletics, track and field events, swimming, or golf often attend college on an athletic scholarship.

One can get a full or partial athletic scholarship provided you have good grades, appropriate ACT or SAT scores, and the discipline and talent that every dedicated sports person needs.

The first step is to find out which colleges or universities offer academic programs of your interest, along with opportunities to excel in sports. It is important to educate yourself while playing sports. Weigh carefully the pros and cons of attending a NCAA division 1 college against a smaller college. Often you will be able to excel at the smaller college while in a large institution you may just be a pebble in the ocean.

Playing sports at college is not the same as playing at school or in a local community. Find out from your local coach where you stand athletically and whether you are “good enough” to aim for college sports. The criteria considered are: academics, sports competitions participated in at high school, playing abilities and victories, and the maturity level of the student.

In athletics, scholarships are offered in two ways, the first through formalized applications and the second at the recommendations of scouts who represent colleges and travel far and wide evaluating players in different sports and seeking the “gems”—players with star qualities.

To succeed you need to start early, in your sophomore year. Ensure that you keep your grades up, as there are academic requirements to be met. Create a folder of your athletic achievements. Find out from your coach which athletic programs would suit your talents or prowess. Do your research well and select schools that offer a great balance between sports and academics. Consult a career guidance professional; this will give you an idea of what subjects to study to qualify yourself at something other than sports. You must contact the coaches at colleges you are applying to, stating your keen interest in their programs. Be sure to showcase your academic and athletic achievements, and to mention that you are seeking scholarships /financial aid. It is advantageous if you submit applications to the colleges where you plan to contact the coach, as this indicates you are a serious candidate.

Colleges and universities enroll great athletes by offering scholarships. If you handle the college applications in a sensible and disciplined way you can enroll at some of the best colleges with a full scholarship.

Are You Setting Yourself Up to Procrastinate?

2009-01-28T00:59:00.000+07:00

Are You Setting Yourself Up to Procrastinate?

"How can I stop procrastinating?"
This is by far the most frequent question that I get from graduate students and professors. As a dissertation and tenure coach, I’ve come to realize that everyone in academia, whether writing a dissertation, completing an article, or doing research, struggles with procrastination. Why is this so prevalent in such a well-educated, intelligent population?

You've Got the Wrong Attitude

Your belief system is what may be standing in the way. Most academics cling to the belief that they must set aside large chunks of time, do a lot of preparation, and be in the proper frame of mind to be able to write.
What this means is that when you finally sit down to write, it's going to be an unpleasant marathon. You have placed such importance on this writing session that you feel anxiety about it living up to your expectations. And you know it's going to be difficult. After all, there are thorny issues you haven't addressed, articles you haven't read or reread, and a lack of coherence to your thinking. You need to solve those problems. And if you don't do it now you'll be quite disappointed in yourself. How unpleasant! And how counterproductive!

What Should You Believe Instead? Or "Oh, The Irony!"

Research by Robert Boyce actually shows that first and second-year professors who participated in a study on writing productivity were able to turn out more publishable pages in a year by

Writing 30 minutes a day
Only writing on workdays
Shoehorning that writing into small gaps in their busy schedules

The difficult part, it turns out, was convincing these professors to try this low-key method in the first place. Ironically, they all insisted that the only way to get real work done was to do it in the marathon way that I described above.
The second irony was that when Boyce actually measured the amount that they were writing per week (before the intervention,) it was less than 30 minutes per week! This was much less than their retrospective reports of how much time they had been spending writing.

The third irony was that those who most adhered to the idea that you must write in large doses were the least productive.
The fourth irony was that although these professors considered writing a private activity, they did best when they were accountable to someone for maintaining their 30-minute writing habit.

Do It Already!

So what's stopping you from learning from these professors and writing a small amount each day?
Here are typical excuses:

It's just not rewarding writing in small amounts. I feel like I've gotten nothing accomplished.
I have a big issue to work out. It will take more time than 30 minutes.
I feel guilty if I don't work more each time.
I'll never complete my dissertation/paper/research project at that pace.
I've waited until it's too late and I can't afford the luxury of that small amount of time per day.
It just doesn't feel right.
I've got more time than that, I should be putting all my time to good use.
It's so overwhelming that I don't know where to start, and by the time I figure it out my 30 minutes will be up.

My answer to those responses? Bull! Except for the emergency deadline, there is no reason not to try this technique. Give it time to see if it works for you. If you're like every other academic I've worked with, you will resist the idea. I suggest that the more resistant you are, the more problem you've probably had with procrastination in the past.

An Action Plan

Try it for a week. Select a time each day, preferably not the evening unless you're a night owl, and write for 30 minutes, without email, reading or other distractions. Don't listen to the voices in your head saying you "should be getting more done," or "you should be writing more than this." I'll bet at the end of the week you'll be pleasantly surprised at your output, and pleased with the increasing ease with which you can sit down to write. You’ll start to see progress on your dissertation or article and maybe come to believe that you will finish one day.

Furthermore, don't forget about being accountable to someone. Let someone else know that you're going to be doing daily writing. Perhaps you can find a writing buddy, or someone in your dissertation group. Or join one of my coaching groups – our listservs allow for lots of accountability during the week! My membership site, CafeAcademia.com (stay tuned,) will have a place for finding writing buddies.

Don't forget, if you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got. Start setting yourself up for success starting right now!

Digging Up Evidence on Forensic Nursing Degrees

2009-01-27T02:30:00.003+07:00

Nurses have always worked with victims and perpetrators of violent crime, but it wasn't until the early 1990s that the term "forensic nursing" became a widespread description of this work. Forensic nursing combines clinical nursing practice with the law enforcement arena. It involves the investigation and treatment of victims of sexual assault, elder, child and spousal abuse, unexplained or accidental death, trauma and assault. It also involves the investigation of perpetrators of these crimes. Nurses looking for independence and variety in their workplace environment may want to think about becoming a forensic nurse.

There are an estimated 7,500 nurses who recurrently fill forensic-nursing roles, which includes those who work full-time investigating deaths or treating violent offenders at psychiatric facilities.

With a continuous rise in crime rates, forensic nursing is quickly becoming a regular part of the American judicial system. Forensic nursing is one of the newest forms of forensic sciences recognized by the American Nurses Association. This relatively new field combines the health care profession with the judicial system. Forensic nurses often testify in courtrooms during criminal cases. A sub-specialty of forensic nursing is forensic psychiatric nursing, which can involve providing appropriate psychological counseling and care for crime victims. This is a fascinating career that keeps expanding every year as police work becomes more and more scientifically based.

Nurses trained in forensic nursing are required to quickly and correctly collect evidence that can be used in a court of law. Not only do they gather forensic info rmation, they also testify in trials of their jurisdictions. Forensic nurses may also serve as legal nurse consultants or attorneys. The employers of forensic nursing specialists include acute healthcare facilities, correctional institutions, county prosecutors, coroner's offices, medical examiner's offices, insurance companies, and psychiatric facilities.

Degree programs are available in forensic nursing. There are online nursing degree programs as well as campus based nursing schools. A nursing degree, however, is not required for entry into this profession. Online nursing degree programs and nursing schools regularly offer various courses in forensic nursing. Certification courses are generally required for forensic pediatric/geriatric nurses, and to be a forensic psychiatric nurse, you are required to have a MS with counseling certification.

Not only is forensic nursing an exciting and rewarding career, there is also a growing demand for nurses with these specialized skills. The industry of forensic nursing is only getting more and more attractive to nurses that really want to make a difference in the community around them. Today we are finding out that the more expertise a nurse has in knowing exactly what should be collected, the better the evidence turned over to the detectives will be. And that can help lead to a better outcome in catching the perpetrator. It's an opportunity for them to help victims of violence and helping the perpetrators of violence to get help.

To become a nurse, you will need education and a nursing license. Graduates must complete a state approved practical nursing program and pass a licensing examination. An LPN certificate can be accomplished in less than a year. Some RN students become LPNs after finishing their first year of study. Course work in the LPN program includes physiology, chemistry, obstetrics, pediatrics nutrition, biology, anatomy, first aid and nursing classes. Becoming an LPN is the fastest path to a nursing career. If you have the qualities required to be a nurse and want a well paying job, getting an LPN degree in nursing is a great way to secure your professional future.

Compare all online nursing degrees.

Credit your Prior Experience with Online Life Experience Degrees

2009-01-27T02:10:00.001+07:00

In the world today, online learning offers the flexibility and convenience many students need to obtain a college education. Unfortunately, many college transcripts fail to show a student’s real-life experience, even if the student has a lot of knowledge in one particular field but no diploma to show for it. In this case, life experience credits can help students receive the recognition they desire and deserve. Life experience degrees can help a student get ahead in the workforce, even if they’ve never obtained a diploma in a particular field of knowledge. It’s only fair that you be provided with the same opportunities as a student who has obtained experience in a classroom setting instead of the real world.

With life experience credits, you are well on your way to life experience degrees that reflect what you’ve learned outside of the classroom. Whether you’ve taken language classes abroad or worked in a particular field with hands-on experience, there are several distance learning programs that will assess your experience and grant you life experience credits for your work. Not only do life experience degrees credits offer students a chance to be recognized for their work, but it saves time and money because you don’t need to take a course you’ve already mastered elsewhere.

First and foremost, you’ll want to research distance learning schools that will consider granting life experience credits. Also, be sure the school you wish to study from is fully accredited by the proper accreditation boards. Keep in mind that not all distance learning programs will consider life experience credits, but if you look around you are sure to find one that suits your needs. It’s also important to note that there are a lot of scams involving life experience degrees, including “diploma mill” schools that make false claims that a student can receive a degree entirely through life experience credits. If you run into a school that solicits you this way, tread with extreme caution.

Once you’ve found a distance education program that interests you and that offers life experience online degrees credit, you’ll want to contact school officials to see what steps you need to take to apply for these credits. Many online learning programs require students to fill out a life experience application and put together a portfolio of their work experience. Different schools have different requirements as well, so keep in mind when applying for life experience degrees credit you may be asked to provide a list of references, meet with members of the school’s staff or pass a test to receive credit. For more information about online life experience degrees, please visit Speedydegrees

Provided the school you are interested in requests a portfolio of your experience, there are several things that may be included for consideration. Naturally, this depends on the subject matter and the life experience you’ve had. For most life experience internet degrees, your portfolio can contain items such as resumes, job descriptions, references, work samples, awards you have received and many more. Once you’ve compiled a portfolio of your work, you’ll want to arrange it in a manner that will convince the College Board that you have sufficient experience to grant you life experience degrees credit.

While going through the life experience degrees process may seem like a lot of work, it’s a much better alternative than paying money for classes you already have sufficient experience in. As long as you are wary of life experience degrees offered through diploma mill schools, you should be able to find an online college that will grant life experience credits for work you’ve completed outside of a classroom. All of the work is worth it, and you will receive the recognition you deserve.education purpose(

Are SAT prep courses worth it?

2009-01-27T00:57:00.000+07:00

SAT importance has changed dramatically over the past few years. Many students strive to score as high as possible, because a high SAT score may translate into acceptance, and in some cases, scholarship money.

The basics of testing can be learnt quite easily; however the focus of this article is whether spending several thousand dollars for a prep course is ideal. At some private schools, more than half the students don’t think twice about spending thousands on a good coaching company.

Do you need a prep course? It depends on how you learn best, and what is your motive for taking up such a course. Most of the techniques in prep courses are already mentioned in prep books that are sold in bookstores for thirty dollars.

Top students seldom gain much from coaching. The effortless insight that marks the best standardized test-takers cannot be taught. On the other hand, a student who lacks motivation may not benefit from a SAT prep course either. For diligent students, the benefits from a prep course will vary. If you are the type who is well-organized and initiative, you’d probably do as well with self-coaching software and books.

If you are enthusiastic about a prep course, by all means, take up one. If you believe that a prep course will raise your score, chances are that it will. Other types of students who may benefit from a prep course include students who learn best with adult direction. They often need help in staying focused, so a prep course will be a good idea. It depends on how you learn.

Before you sign up for a test prep course, be sure you research thoroughly what exactly you will be taught. Meet the instructor firsthand. Don’t pay too much attention to guarantees; they are not reliable indicator of how effective a particular course is. It’s always a good idea to try to take up a prep course BEFORE the first time you take the SAT. That way you’ll avoid a sudden spike in your score – an event likely to raise suspicions in the admissions offices – which is the result of a cram course.

A week in the life of an online student

2009-01-26T21:31:00.000+07:00

Ever wondered what it would be like to be taking college courses online? This entry will give you a flavor of how online classes are conducted and what you as the student have to do to be successful. The course I am taking is a human-computer interaction course for my Master's in Computer Education.

Monday

I login to WebCT, my schools online course software, to pick up my weekly email from the course's instructor. She details the assignments we need to complete this week, discussions to post, and includes a review for an upcoming test. While the list of assignments due this week is available in the syllabus on WebCT, I appreciate having this weekly reminder of what I need to complete this week.

I notice that new grades have been posted on some of the prior assignments I have already turned in. I am pleased with the result and note comments that she has made for future reference.

Tuesday

Today, I pulled open the book and read the assigned chapter. I used sticky notes to mark important sections that I might need for a test later. Some people prefer to mark in the book directly with highlighters, but I prefer stickies. There is also a Powerpoint presentation with 30 slides.

Wednesday

There is a video I need to watch. It is available online or I can pull it off the cd the professor provided at the beginning of the course. Since I have a high-bandwidth connection, I download and stream it directly from WebCT.

Thursday thru Saturday

These days I tend to work on my other course or not at all. As a consummate procrastinator, I tend to put the written assignments off until Sunday, or Saturday if they are extensive. I do read the assignments on Monday so that I can at least be thinking about them as I drive to and from work or have other down time.

Sunday

I prepare my written assignment(s). Then I go into WebCT into the appropriate assignment and upload the Word document with the professor's naming convention. After the upload, the assignment is marked submitted and I receive a confirmation email that I was successful.

My final duty is to prepare an answer to a "discussion question of the week" in the WebCT bulletin board for this course. I scan through the prior postings and reply to an interesting one. Finally, I post my answer to the question and submit it. I review the schedule for next week to prepare myself for the following week. Another week complete.

I have taken a number of course from UNT through WebCT and others through other systems that the University provides. The University is only 30 miles away so I take face-to-face classes as well, because I really like the interaction of a class. I like both methodologies. You may prefer one or the other, you won't know till you try.

A review of the University of Maryland Online MBA Degree

2009-01-25T21:23:00.000+07:00

The University of Maryland University College offers an online Master of Business Administration degree. Named one of the “Top 20 Cyber Universities” worldwide by Forbes magazine, the MBA program is fully accredited by the Commission of Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

The program is designed to integrate into students’ lives and to be applicable to their current job situations right from the start. Its accelerated pace is helpful in allowing students to utilize what they have learned in the program as quickly as possible in their work environment. The courses are designed to explore management and organization processes and apply them to a global business environment.

The MBA program is 43 credits and consists of a 1-credit foundation course and seven 6-credit seminars. Each seminar is 14 weeks long. Students have 3 weeks off between each seminar. Students are grouped into a cohort of about 30 students who stay together during the duration of the MBA program. A facilitator is assigned to each cohort.

The seminars required to complete the online MBA program are: MBA Fundamentals (1 credit); The Role of Managers and Organizations in Society (6 credits); The Dynamics of Individuals and Groups in Work Organizations (6 credits); The Marketing of New Ideas (6 credits); Technology and Operations Management (6 credits); Economics of Management Decisions (6 credits); Organizations and the External Environment (6 credits); and Strategic Action Planning/Elective Component (6 credits). In addition all students are required to complete a noncredit course, Introduction to Graduate Library Research Skills, within their first 6 credits of study.

The seminars are taught by experts in the field. The faculty members all have extensive professional and management experience. In addition, more than 89 percent of them hold a doctorate degree. Students also have a facilitator assigned to them who will stay with them throughout the entire program.

U of MD University College MBA program has a streamlined general admissions process that can be completed online. Admission into their online MBA program does not require the completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). There are also no residency requirements.

To apply, prospective students need to complete the online application for admission, send in the application fee, and write a personal statement. Once the application is received, applicants will receive further instructions on submitting their transcripts and other pertinent information. The status of an application can be tracked online.

Upon completion of U of MD University College MBA program students have the option of continuing on to earn a dual degree. During any point of the MBA program students may inform the college that they are interested in pursuing a second degree in the following areas: Master of International Management; Master of Science in E-Commerce; Master of Science in Health Care Administration; or Master of Science in Management. Students have a full seven years from the date of completion of the first graduate course to complete their dual degree.

A Guide To Choosing A University Course

2009-01-24T21:16:00.000+07:00

University courses and degree programs take around four years of study to complete. Nevertheless, some students may need more time to complete the university course. It is also possible to shorten the university courses by studying in the intersession of spring and summer.

An average student has to spend three hours of study for every hour spent in class. Fifteen hours per week is the average time for a university course. Depending upon the university course’s subject, classes may be held during the evening, afternoon or in the day. To support the academic university courses, they may also have to attend the clubs, athletics, recreational activities and societies.

The overall requirement for the degree along with the degree elements will be explained to the students by the faculty advisor. The advisor should be kept informed if the student has any specific area of interest or careers in mind while selecting the university courses. The university courses can be chosen by the students based on their degree requirements, schedules and their interests.

During the transition to the university course, there will be a peer mentor or an upper class student studying in the same degree program to assist the first year students undergoing the university course.

Study skills are enhanced by free workshops conducted through out the year. By appointment and during the regular hours of office, the professors will also assist the students to overcome any problems faced by them during their university course period. For specific classes, tutorials and labs facilities will also be available for the students. In case of difficulties, the students studying a university course are encouraged to contact professors, faculty advisors or counselors to overcome their problems.

The cost of university courses depends upon the area of study and the lifestyle of the student. The technology fee, student fees and tuition fee are standard and must be paid by the students.

Each university course focuses on its studies. To cite an example, languages, politics, history, psychology are people oriented university courses in the Bachelor of Arts program. Where as the university courses under Bachelor of Science programs such as statistics, mathematics or biology are not people oriented.

Within a university course, in the degree program, a major should be chosen by the students. Within the overall degree, this is a specific study area. The majority of the courses will be related to the specific discipline when a major subject is chosen by the student. A student selecting history as his major in his university course will be studying more history related material than any other areas of study within that course.

Whilst selecting the university courses, try to find out the courses disliked during high school and concentrate more on the courses liked. To find more about the interesting university courses, make an appointment with the liaison officer for a discussion. Take a tour of the universities and colleges to find out more about the courses available.

A Fun College Application Essay Will Be Remembered

2009-01-23T21:13:00.000+07:00

There are lots of mind-boggling questions swirling around students' minds, as they hold their pen and wonder what to write for a piece of paper called College Admission Essay. Some of the questions that bother them are the following: what is the style of writing they should adopt for this specific kind of essay, what is the tone to use, and what topic to talk about.

The students are really interested in knowing what the admission officers would like to read in a College Application Essay. For them, hitting the bull's eye with their College Application Essay will definitely increase their chances of admission to their desired university. Entrance to a top university is a tough competition that one has to outwit, outplay, and outlast everybody with their creatively written essay.

Writing one's College Admission Essay is not the same as writing a research paper. This means that one's essay should not be formulaic as though one is just stating facts about oneself. There's a tendency for most admission essays to be boring and lifeless if one writes it in the form of research paper. The moment that the admission officers discover that one's writing and essay is a complete drag, they are likely to miss the important details contained in the essay even though the credentials are excellent.

The first thing an applicant has to remember is that Admission officers want the essay to be personal and imaginative. The next thing they have to take note of is how to write something personal without making it appear as a lifeless paper. The trick for this is to make the tone of the essay a conversational one. Since one is talking about his life, narrate it in a light humorous tone as though one is talking to another person like a friend. In this way, one will definitely get the focus and the hearts of the admission officers.

People should freely express themselves. It is observed that the grammar is not given so much concern because the Admission officers are not reading an essay to find out if the applicant knows about subject-verb agreement. The application essays were created so that the Admission officers will know the applicant's attitude and outlook in life.

The student's goals in writing their College Admission Essay should always be to make it memorable. The applicant should ensure that the readers will peruse the essay from beginning up to the end. One can use witty catch phrases as well as funny stories and jokes as a springboard to start introducing one's topic. Speaking of topics, it is best to stick with personal experiences rather than re-stating one's resume or academic transcripts.

Admission Officers are on the prowl to find unique personalities that will blend with the school's standards and environment. They are after the authentic person behind the numbers and statistics i.e. grades. Another thing that the students have to remember in writing College Application Essay is to be original and individual. This means that their writing should reflect the unique individual creature that they truly are.

Being creative and imaginative does not really have to be fictional. One's admission essay should be true, honest, and most importantly sincere. The Admission officers can go beyond the beautiful words and detect if it's true or not. Aside from that, Admission officers read thousands of essays, and they can't recall everything they read. Thus, it is the applicant's job to make a real impression on the reader. Make your essay fun and exciting.

Don't simply provide a lifeless detailed paper about yourself; instead show them colors and wonders of your personality.

Don't Forget About Auto Maintenance

2009-01-23T02:03:00.000+07:00

College bound? Here is one more item to add to your checklist before heading off to campus this fall: a vehicle checkup.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) recommends that you make sure your vehicle is in good working condition. Unless you are a dedicated do-it-yourselfer, you'll want to find a reputable shop to take care of maintenance and service for you.

ASE, a nonprofit organization that tests and certifies automotive technicians, offers the following tips on choosing a repair facility.

Start shopping for a repair facility before you need one.

Ask your friends and associates for their recommendations or consult local consumer groups.

Arrange for transportation in advance so you will not feel forced to choose a shop based on its location.

Look for a neat, well-organized facility, with vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to your own and modern equipment in the service areas.

Look for a courteous staff, with a service consultant willing to answer all of your questions.

Check the shop's policies regarding estimated repair costs, diagnostic fees, guarantees and acceptable methods of payment.

Ask if the repair facility specializes or if it usually handles your type of repair work.

Look for signs of professionalism in the customer service area, such as civic, community or customer service awards.

Look for evidence of qualified technicians, such as trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work and certification by ASE.

Look for the ASE sign. ASE-certified technicians wear blue-and-white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact areas of certification. Their employers often display the ASE sign.

College Scholarships: How to Find Money for School

2009-01-23T01:47:00.000+07:00

Many potential college students don't end up attending university due to a lack of money, however there are thousands of college scholarship programs available. Here is a list of the most common types of college scholarships that students can apply for:

Private organisations
Corporate awards
College-specific awards
Athletic award
Union funded scholarship
Military scholarship
Academic scholarship
Departmental awards

College scholarships awarded by the college that a student is attending are subject to strict terms of acceptance. This type of college scholarship is constantly re-evaluated throughout the length of the course that the student is funded for and can be withdrawn if the student fails to keep to the agreed terms.

An athletic scholarship is fairly self-explanatory but this type of college scholarship is probably the hardest for a student to obtain. There are hundreds of thousands of highly gifted athletes from a range of sports every year that apply for an athletic college scholarship and the numbers awarded are extremely low. It is worth bearing in mind that only the top flight schools will offer an athletic college scholarship.

The academic scholarships are one of the few that do not actually require the student to apply for them. This is because the college normally awards an academic scholarship based on the college application alone. Obviously, the very nature of an academic scholarship means that a student will require outstanding academic potential to be offered a full academic college scholarship and it is more common for a particle college scholarship to be awarded.

A departmental scholarship is most commonly awarded by a specific department of a college to either attract or retain students for courses run by that particular department. The individual department will provide information as to whether they offer any type of special scholarship or not.

There are many private organisations that offer some form of partial college scholarship. These often depend on the area that a student lives in but national organisations may also offer a student a college scholarship but the competition for these can be fierce.

On the other hand, many corporations actually have a college scholarship program but fail to award them because of a lack of applicants. The corporations may offer a college scholarship to students to attract them into the particular line of work that the corporation is in or simply to offer students in their community the chance to attend college.

Unions have a large amount of money allocated to a college scholarship fund. These are usually aimed at students who are going to enter a field of study related to the type of union.

Finally, the various branches of the military all have an extensive college scholarship program. A military college scholarship is often extremely generous but is awarded in exchange for a pre-agreed length of service after graduation in the particular branch that sponsored the student.

College Scholarships

2009-01-23T01:44:00.000+07:00

Due to ever-increasing costs of going to college, it is a good idea to search out available scholarships and apply for them. Scholarships are one of the most enticing forms of financial aid available today. This is because they are available to anyone without any repayment requirements! Many scholarships are overlooked and therefore are a missed opportunity for many students.

If students know about scholarships, they can apply for them, but many students do not know that college scholarships exist. Most students do not understand that there are scholarships obtainable to them, which could pay a major part of their education. In fact, the college scholarship can be used for any educational opportunity. This is includes private or public college, junior college or four-year universities, graduate or certificate programs.

What are college scholarships?

College Scholarships programs come in a variety of forms, which are normally considered free college money. College scholarships, unlike loans, do not have to be repaid. Scholarships can be awarded directly to students in a form of a check or to the school itself. You can receive a scholarship from any of the following types of organizations: charitable foundations, businesses, schools, universities, government agencies, and sometimes-even clubs or groups within the school.

Who can get college scholarships?

Although many scholarships are granted based on grades, this is a misconception. There are scholarships for less than perfect academics as long as you meet the other requirements. They range from athletic scholarships, to community service scholarships.

Many scholarship providers want to reward students for choosing a particular school or state. It is believed by older students that only college-bound high school seniors can apply for scholarship awards, this is not true. Scholarships are accessible for all levels of college study, from freshman undergrads to graduate students. You will need to make sure that you check the requirements for each scholarship for which you apply.

How do students find college scholarships?

It takes some time and energy to find and apply for scholarships, but the hard work will most likely pay off. You can sometimes find them by asking department heads if there are available scholarships, in the department you will major in.

Some student’s use highly regarded and accurate scholarship search services on the Internet to save time in the searching process. This is highly recommended. Online resources are a good idea as long as the website offers updated, current data and a way to match the student with the scholarship.

High school students can ask their guidance counselors about their eligibility for local or state scholarship awards. You should also make sure that you contact the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend, to see if they qualify for awards issued by the school. Finally yet importantly, students should ask their parents and friends to be on the lookout for scholarships, while always checking local bulletin boards and newspapers for additional scholarship listings.

An Online College Education Overview

2009-01-23T00:56:00.000+07:00

There has always been a lot of debate as to whether an online college education is as good as a traditional college education. The answer to this is quite simple; there are good institutions that offer an online college education and there are bad establishments that offer an online college education. So, you need to do your research in the same way when you are looking for the best place to pursue your online college education with as you would an offline course.

Of course you are not going to particularly bother finding out about the location of the colleges that offer an online college education because it really doesn’t matter. However, a lot of the other points that you would consider before attending a college should also be taken into consideration before you enrol with an organisation offering an online college education.

The growth in the numbers of people pursuing an online college education has led to increased competition amongst institutions to attract students. The best way to assess the credibility of a site advertising the best online college education is to ask about the accreditation of its courses. Accreditation means that a governing body for a particular field has endorsed the course and this is extremely important in helping you to decide who to trust with your online college education. If a course is not accredited then you need to find out why.

There may be a number of courses that have not yet received accreditation from an appropriate association or governing body but still offer a good online college education. For example, the establishment may have applied for accreditation but not yet been assessed, in which case you can actually check with the particular body that they are in the process of assessing the application for accreditation. Another reason may be that there is no appropriate body that the course can be accredited to. This is less likely but is, nevertheless, a valid reason and does not indicate that the course offered is not going to be worth taking to advance your online college education.

If, however, you find that the online college education institution has been refused accreditation they are likely to try to tell you that accreditation is not important. This is quite simply untrue. An online college education from a non-accredited institution is not going to be viewed as highly as one from an establishment that is accredited. Choose where you gain your online college education from with care to ensure that you are not wasting your time and money by having an almost worthless qualification.

An Honest Review of the University of Phoenix Online

2009-01-23T00:53:00.000+07:00

The University of Phoenix Online has been in existence for over a decade and a half. Established in 1989, it was the first accredited online university and today with over 57,000 enrolments to its credit, it has become the largest private, accredited, ‘for-profit’, online university in the United States. Because of its tenure and name recognition, the University of Phoenix is often the first name that comes to peoples mind when they consider an online University. This reputation is not without merit, as the University offers students a great deal that the other online universities simply cannot compete with. That said, not everything about this school is ideal.

Because of the length of time the University has been in operation, it has perfected the art of serious online teaching. The curriculum has been tailored to meet the requirement of working adults who seek to supplement their working knowledge with theory and practical skills while earning a degree for themselves to a degree that other online schools do not.

Virtual classrooms with trained online instructors and flexible but strict classroom participation and assignment submissions make learning comfortable. So much so, that the students are able to complete almost 27 credits in a year as against 15 credits completed by regular on site campus learning students. With only 11 students in a class, the student to instructor ratio is low, facilitating greater one on one interaction. The instructors themselves are CIOs, CEOs and CFOs of reputed companies when they are not mentoring students in the classrooms.

But then like every thing in this universe, negatives do exist and this University is no exception. Sometimes students complain about below average quality of instructors who do not participate in the discussion or evaluation to the extent that has been promised. Lack of communication skills in some cases and at others complete or partial silence towards questions posted has been observed. This is a serious allegation considering that the good communication and prompt interactions with the students of the class are very vital for any online course. Add to this, students often complain that when a grievance or concern is addressed to the deputed ‘advisor’ an endless string of communication follows with little or no action actually taken.

There are some ex-instructors who have come up and indicated that their pay is quite pitiful relative to other universities and as a consequence the motivation levels and drive to excel is low. This often results in a high turnover of instructors. It seems that the primary complaint, substandard teaching quality is directly tied to the level of pay provided these professors.

Another negative pertains to the technology itself. The university boasts that the online software platform has been developed in collaboration with Microsoft. One would expect that the mail receiving and disseminating platform also be much evolved and sophisticated. Instead there is confirmed evidence that they actually use the notoriously lacking Outlook Express for the purpose. Another problem is that the servers are quite slow sometimes. These two problems are worth a mention since online teaching requires quick and reliable interface with minimum downtime. Therefore a slack in this area can have serious implications for the university as a whole.

A final concern pertains to ‘high’ fees being charged. It might be comparable with the several outer online universities of its genre. But when viewed in the light of students who are already disgruntled with the quality of education being imparted, can snowball into bigger packets of unhappiness.

All this might sound as the doomsday for online education and especially for the University of Phoenix. But remember when you handle thousands of students, there are bound to be a handful that are going to be dissatisfied. And life depends on changes and improvements. That said, by and large the students of the University of Phoenix have and continue to express satisfaction with the school. While it is certainly clear that it has some limitations, the opportunity to attain a degree swiftly and cheaply from a well known and accredited University makes the offer very attractive for a great many.

An Environmental Science Degree: An Investment In The Future

2009-01-23T00:51:00.000+07:00

The world is changing faster now than at any time since the last ice-age 10,000 years ago and the major cause of that change is man. To allow the changes to continue unchecked is reckless at the least. Monitoring those changes and being able to convince others that we have to do or not do activities that affect the environment will take well qualified people with the relevant environmental science degree.

It has often been said that the education offered in colleges and universities are a direct response to the job market and the trends therein. If this is so then the future for professionals with an environmental science degree could not be much brighter.

After the industrial and the informational age, we are quickly entering the environmental age, where the environment and its characteristics are of paramount importance.

Never before, as a society, have we paid real attention to the environment and many would argue we still do not pay enough attention. Continuous exploitation of the earths natural resources and constant generation of heat and waste products have caused significant damage to the environment.

We live in an age where knowing, understanding and adapting to the environment is no longer a choice – it is the only way ahead. This age demands qualified professionals, especially those with professional environmental science degrees.

A number of allied degrees find their place alongside conventional environmental science degrees. Big business has, for a long time, been required to comply with safety and industrial security requirements. In industries like biotechnology, due to the nature of the products, there are numerous opportunities for disaster.

Disaster management and hazardous material management are fields of study that are very much in demand by today’s high technology industries. While often these studies are not comprehensive enough to be offered as science degrees by themselves, these courses are more often than not partnered with environmental science degrees as part of a package deal.

For the environmental science degree student, it can be an advantage. While pursuing their main course of study, they can get qualifications in a number of allied fields. This makes them thorough professionals and capable of entering a wide range of industries when they graduate with their environmental science degree.

As a result of the long-standing lobbying activities, the United States is home to some of the worlds largest and best funded environmental groups and many professionals, working for these groups, have environmental science degrees.

Jobs exist with government bodies, lobbying positions with political groups and corporate organizations, research positions with foundations and other research organizations. More opportunities exist in the environmental safety departments of leading oil majors and even faculty positions at colleges offering environmental science degrees. They all offer lucrative positions that professionals with an environmental science degree can hope to secure.

An environmental science degree does not deal with environmental topics alone. Due to the very nature of their work, professionals who acquire an environmental science degree need to be equipped with allied subjects like compliance, law, criminal justice, and public communication.

The courses of study that ultimately lead to a environmental science degree are varied and interesting. Someone with an environmental science degree is likely to be tasked with protecting our environment as a result we need the very best!

If you have a concern about the World we live in or a desire and determination to do something to improve a steadily deteriorating habitat, then an environmental science degree would be an excellent place to start.

Anyone aspiring to be an environmental professional would typically need to go in for a BS Environmental Science Degree before going for an MS or a PhD in Environmental Studies.

Environment science degrees are offered in all major colleges and universities across the United States and the Western World. An environmental science degree can be taken full-time, part-time or by distance learning so whatever your circumstances you can contribute.

An Easier Way to Getting A College Education Online

2009-01-22T21:44:00.000+07:00

Many people in today’s society do not have the time they want in order to attend a college or university in order to further their education. So, there is an easier way to get a college degree and that is by taking online courses. Online courses are offered in a wide range of subjects from accounting to engineering. These courses are deemed to be the easier way to getting a college degree by doing it online. A college education online will give you the same degree level that you would get if you attended a traditional university or college.

The newest way to get a degree is attending the University of Phoenix online. The University of Phoenix online offers their students a list of courses, a personal admissions counselor, and classes that are fit around your already hectic schedule and lifestyle. With almost sixty online courses and approximately thirteen campuses spread throughout the country, the University of Phoenix is the leading site for getting a college education online. They offer everything from a Bachelor’s degree to a Master’s degree and even offer single classes instead of an entire degree’s worth. They also offer financial assistance for those who are not able to afford an online education. The financial assistance plans that they offer range from helping out a little bit, to making the payments affordable for those that have families and large monthly bills.

There are other web sites that offer the ability to obtain an education degree online. Most sites are affiliated with accredited universities and colleges. However, these sites require that you go to the university or college in order to take the exams issued regularly, as well as the mid-terms and final exams. The internet sites that are linked to accredited universities tend not to offer an affordable education degree online. Sometimes their courses can cost just as much as if you were to attend the classes in person. Be sure to check out as many sites as possible when deciding to get your education degree online and definitely make sure to check out the University of Phoenix online or call one of their toll free numbers. This will ensure an easier way to getting a college degree online.

Accreditation and Online Degrees

2009-01-22T21:42:00.001+07:00

Today, the internet offers prospective college students a wealth of information regarding many different aspects of the education process, including how to apply for financial aid, how to choose the right college for you and a variety of other information. These days, many students who are juggling a job and family life with school are even turning to the internet to obtain a college education, receiving original degrees completely online. What many students fail to research however is the accreditation process, which is incredibly important before choosing any internet school to study from. The benefits of an accredited college degree are many, and students need to make sure the institution they study from offers fully accredited original degrees.

Accreditation, a very important aspect of the online degree process, tells colleges and employers that you have achieved great success in your academic pursuits. What’s more, an accredited degree entails that you’ve received a certain level of quality in your education. There are many “diploma-mill” type schools on the internet that promise you’ll receive original degrees in half the time of a traditional learning institution. They make bogus claims in a blatant attempt to steal your money, and once they’ve done that you’re left with a degree that hasn’t been through the proper accreditation process. What’s more, all of the money and hard work you spent getting the degree is for naught, because a degree that isn’t accredited isn’t recognized as legitimate proof of your academic endeavors.

There are many purposes to accreditation that students should be aware of before they choose an online college to study from. Properly accredited online diplomas ensure a student is receiving the type of quality education that is the standard among colleges and universities both online and off. What’s more, accreditation holds educational institutions accountable for their actions, as well as ensures confidence. Holding original degrees that have been fully accredited by the proper governing boards ensures that your hard work has paid off, and will continue to do so in the future. What’s more, employers and other learning institutions will accept your degree without a problem, even if it’s been obtained online, provided it’s been accredited.

Accreditation is highly important for students for several other reasons as well. For example, students who wish to apply for financial aid can only do so if their school is properly accredited by the correct educational boards. Additionally, in order to transfer your credits to another educational institution that’s accredited, you have to receive a degree from an accredited school online. Original degrees are the only universally accepted proof of educational merit, and employers will usually not hire those who failed to receive a degree that was accredited. Many potential students fail to understand the importance of accreditation. They are misleading into believing that all online degrees are the same, however, this is extremely far from the truth. Fake or instant degrees are virtually worthless in the eyes of employers. Not only are they a waste of time, they are also a waste of your hard earned money.

While the internet has evolved into a place where students from around the globe can obtain a college education, it’s important to avoid the scams inherent with online diplomas. Proper accreditation ensures that your online degree will be respected in the workforce, and your hard work will have paid off. The bottom line is that Do your research thoroughly before committing to any online college, and ensure that the degree you will obtain is properly accredited through the correct state or regional boards. Doing so will save you a lot of money, time and hard work in the long run.

For more information about online degrees please visit http://www.speedydegrees.com

Accelerated Bachelors Degrees

2009-01-22T21:35:00.001+07:00

Accelerated bachelors degree programs are designed to accommodate busy adults who have not earned their bachelor’s degree. An accelerated bachelor’s degree course may last one to two years. Many colleges and universities are offering this option to working people who are too busy to attend regular classes.

The cost of an accelerated bachelor degree program can range from $15,000 to $25,000. You can browse the Internet for colleges or universities that offer this program in order to find out the specific fees, courses, subjects, duration, etc. You can e-mail or call these institutions for more information, or request a catalog through the mail.

Most programs entail compulsory attendance of classes and study groups periodically, which may be one night for each per week. Since attendance for classes and study groups is not optional, you’ll need to have a prescribed percentage of attendance, somewhere between 60%-70%, to be able to take your final tests.

Entrance requirements for an accelerated bachelor degree program may include proof of high school graduation or a GED (general educational development) certificate, a minimum of 60 college credits with a GPA (grade point average) of 2.0 or higher, and a minimum of two years of practical work experience.

Business administration, technology management and human relations are some of the most common courses offered by programs like this but there are a host of other courses too, including health care, education, social and behavioral science, and e-Commerce. So it’s best to do a little research while keeping in mind your interests, line of work and career before making any decisions.

Accelerate your Career with Fast Online Degrees

2009-01-22T21:34:00.000+07:00

In this day and age, more people are turning to online colleges to obtain accelerated degrees that will help enhance their careers. With fast degrees, you can obtain a college education in less time than ordinary degree programs would take. There are many benefits to furthering your education in this manner, and many online colleges and universities are starting to offer accelerated degrees in many courses of study, including business, accounting and several others. If you’re interested in pursuing one of these fast degrees, it’s important to keep several things in mind before committing to a course of study.

When pursuing accelerated degrees via distance education, you can finish your course of study up to 50% quicker than a traditional degree program would take. What’s more, these fast degrees are generally much less expensive because they can be delivered quickly through a variety of educational mediums. Accelerated degrees aren’t generally for everyone. Usually, these programs are designed for adult learns with a desire to enhance their career field with a degree they can complete in less time than a traditional institution would require. Because you can bring your own life experiences to the table, fast degrees are ideal for the working professional with a desire to better themselves in the workforce.

While many people will attempt to tell you that online learning is easier than learning through a traditional class room setting, this is actually a myth. To succeed in an accelerated degree program requires intense motivation, self discipline and a high level of determination to achieve your educational goals. What’s more, it’s important to learn how to manage your time effectively between juggling a career, home life and school. While accelerated degrees offer convenience and a chance to study at your own pace, these fast degrees require as much work and concentration as a traditional program of study would.

Because with accelerated degrees you are learning a vast amount of material within a small time frame, it’s easier to remember the information you learn because it’s delivered over a period of weeks rather than months. This type of course structure requires intense concentration, but you’re able to focus on one specific topic, and the information is delivered in a highly condensed format. The convenience just can’t be beat as far as fast degrees go, and you’re able to learn a wide variety of things in a short amount of time compared to a traditional classroom setting.

Obtaining an accelerated degree from an online college is not for everyone. Before you commit to an online program, you need to take a look at yourself and analyze your situation. Do you possess a proactive personality? Are you willing to complete tasks on your own without someone holding your hand along the way? To be truly successful in this type of program, you need to be a very independent individual. As long as you have the motivation and desire to succeed, you can achieve anything you want through an online degree.

Provided you do all of your research before jumping into the college waters, you’ll be able to find an accelerated degree program that works for you. With accelerated online degrees, you need to have the ability to manage your time effectively, because it’s very easy to get behind in your coursework if you aren’t keeping up with the rest of the class. Fast degrees are definitely a convenient way to further your education online in a shorter amount of time, but online study requires an intense amount of drive and focus. If you have the willingness and desire to get the work done, you will succeed in obtaining an accelerated degree online.

A review of The University of Phoenix Online MBA Degree

2009-01-22T21:24:00.000+07:00

Attending classes online is the smart way for busy people to earn degrees to advance in their present career or furthering their education. The University of Phoenix Online has earned its reputation as the premier provider of E-distant learning degree programs and courses, and is the nation’s largest accredited private university.

The University of Phoenix online program offers students the opportunity to achieve: Bachelors, Master’s and Doctorate level degrees in the areas of: Business, Information Systems, Education, Nursing, and Technology at their own pace and from the comfort of home.

The Master of Business Administration program or MBA Online Degree Program offered by the University of Phoenix is designed to enable a student taking management courses, to gain or advance the skills needed to function effectively within an organization. Through specialized coursework developed to build and enhance these skills, students will create and defend solutions for problems in crisis management, profitable growth opportunities, and changes in leadership. Throughout the course of this program students will gain the knowledge and experience to turn volatile -situations into well-managed problems. Students will have the chance to apply different tools and concepts towards achieving this, as well as analyzing a variety of alternate solutions to common problems in management. Students will select a course of action for solving situations, and then defend their choice.

The Master of Business Program at the University of Phoenix employs the use of problem-based learning, where students can polish their problem-solving skills, as well as improve their communication, creativity, information processing, and critical thinking skills. Student progress is assessed by the student’s ability to demonstrate effectively through classroom presentations: their skills in problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking.

Students are grouped together in ‘learning teams’. These learning teams will apply the principles of ‘benchmarking’ throughout the course to research the most creative solutions to any given problem. This gives a learner a broader selection of alternatives for solving problems.

The MBA Degree Program offered by the University of Phoenix consists of 39 credit hours and includes 3 proficiency courses. These are (MBA501, MBA502, MBA503) which may be satisfied through an undergraduate business degree, undergraduate coursework, or graduate coursework. Students may also waive 9 additional credits through graduate courses and may even qualify for a 21-hour residency. Ask your UOP Online Education Counselor, for more details about this waiver and residency, if you think you may qualify.

A review of the Regis University Online MBA Degree

2009-01-22T21:17:00.001+07:00

As a member of the 125-year-old distinguished Regis University, the online MBA program draws upon the schools’ world-class teaching expertise. One, which has led the U.S. News & World Report, to rank it a Top Tier Western University for the past 11 consecutive years.

The university is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), which count prestigious Jesuit schools such as Georgetown, Boston College, Fordham University, and the University of San Francisco, as members.

Online Regis University is the largest multimedia-based MBA program in the country today. All of this is due to the university’s ability to utilize the most modern technologies and software, to bring its excellent teaching methods, materials, and faculty expertise to the net.

The online Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program seeks to educate students about the domestic and international business environments, identify the elements that influence the dynamics, as it provides students the strategies, skills, and tools; they will need to make intelligent decisions.

The Regis MBA curriculum, with its 11 courses is certainly reflective of the program objectives. Each of these courses is structured to complement the knowledge gained from the preceding courses.
The Regis University online MBA degree curriculum, accomplishes this aim, with the use of four course levels. The first course is appropriately called the FOUNDATION COURSE, and is a required course for all MBA students.

Essentials of Business Development I & II

At the end of these two foundation courses, the student will have an enhanced grasp of basic business concepts & principles, statistical modeling macro and microeconomics, business financials, cash flow and management, through lectures and case studies.
The second level is composed of CORE COURSES. These are required courses for all MBA students and the course emphasizes the use of critical business skills.

The Economics of Management

At the end of this course, the student will have the improved ability to utilize methods, concepts and models both quantitatively and qualitatively, from a managerial perspective.

Ethical and Legal Environment of Business

This course focuses on the ethical strategies the MBA student can utilize when confronted by issues for the public’s good. Such issues as labor laws, product liability, public issues management and administrative procedures, are covered.

The EMPHASIS COURSE is the third level course. There are seven courses for each MBA program and they are more generally known as degree -specific courses.

These course titles are revealing of subject’s focus.

Issues in International Business
Financial Decision Making
Marketing Management
Electronic Business Systems
Managing Change
Managerial Leadership
Innovations in Operations

Strategies in a Global Environment

This is the last level, called the CAPSTONE COURSE, and is required of all MBA students. By the end of this course the MBA student will have superior management skills to identify and critically examine how international economic, political, business and financial factors, affect the long-range plans of the company.

In short, a Regis University online MBA degree, will improve the graduate’s ability to become an outstanding leader, enjoy career advancement, income and personal satisfaction.

A College Degree Is Worth Millions

2009-01-22T21:09:00.001+07:00

“And once earned, a college degree is forever, as the payoff from higher education can never be erased, broken, or laid off.”

It was estimated by the US Census Bureau that a bachelor degree holder earns approximately $2.1 million over 40 years of his working life. The drastic truth is that a college graduator can expect to earn nearly a million dollar more than his school-educated neighbor does. This sizeable stretch and notable disparity of lifetime earnings raised demand, boosted popularity, and consolidated American firm faith in the value and significance of higher education.

According to the survey conducted for the Chronicle of Higher Education the American nation continues to have a confidence in the value of a college degree, with more than the half of respondents saying “it is essential for success.”

The fact that college education is rewarding financially and economically to the individuals and the entire country is not a secret for anybody. An economic value of qualified and competent specialists is notable and reflects as a weighty factor, which has a great impact on the rapid economic growth of the country.

Benefits you can reap of higher education

However, there is a number of benefits you can get from getting a college degree:

First, college degree is your guarantee of financial independence, stability and secure future you can enjoy, having a steady profession and being armed with a set of practical skills and sound knowledge.
The world is changing constantly, so no one knows what to expect tomorrow. Therefore, we should be ready for everything, having a solid ground under our feet. Higher education is your solid ground, which can provide you with a confidence for future, and immunity from economical drops.
Higher education can give you an opportunity to master a profession with good job opportunities and skills, which are in demand. After all, education permits you to have steady and gross income.
A college degree gives you a great chance to be a master of your own life. Educated person has much more leeway and freedom of choice not only in the respect of career opportunities, but also in sense of moral and spiritual values.
Higher education can provide you with a possibility to be a free thinker, to see obvious in hidden implication, to analyze, generalize, and make conclusions. In a word, it uncovers the essence of being and helps increase the understanding of the world.
You can realize the most cherished and precious dreams of yours, to become a pilot, to have a gorgeous house on the seaside, to have a chic expensive car….Education makes your dreams come true.
Higher education expands your knowledge base, sharpens your critical thinking, and consolidates your confidence.
“Your college experience can be both life affirming and career enhancing. The classroom and the coursework expose you to diverse people and ideas.”

Overall, it is practically impossible to enumerate all the opportunities you can get with a college degree in hands and acquired knowledge in brain, though you should remember the only one thing that the world higher education opens before you is boundless and versatile.

Education gives you something that can’t be measured in terms of money that you can earn. It is impossible to place power, freedom, and independence you possess being educated on the same footing as material benefits you can enjoy. You can’t buy it for any price, but can easily get with higher education.

Secrets To Surviving In Your First Semester At University or College

2009-01-22T21:03:00.002+07:00

Arriving at university or college will be daunting for everyone. For many it may mean living away from the parental home for the first time, which on it’s own may be daunting enough. You will most likely have a hundred questions and a hundred fears; what will it be like? Can I cope with the workload? Will I be able to fit in? It may help to know that everyone will be feeling similar, though some may hide it better than others.

Invariably the vast majority of freshers will be pleasantly surprised. The University or College will be populated by a broad variety of people, from many walks of life with a diverse range of outlooks and opinions. Look beyond the initial confines of your college, house or dorm, the establishment will have many more people who will share similar interests to yourself. Some of the tips we have received from other students:

Meet as many people as you can, introduce yourself, smile and be confident. Everyone is in the same boat whether he or she appears to be or not.
Be yourself. Real friends will want to know you for who you are, warts and all!
Keep your opinions about others to yourself until you know whom you can trust
Take your washing to the laundry. Don’t save it all up to take back home to mum at the hols. She really won’t want five minging black bags to see to.
Have a good time
Join a few societies at first week fairs. If you’re not sure it’s for you but are interested take note of an e-mail/ contact address to get more details later. Its sometimes hard to find the right contacts later, it’s a big place.
Phone home and let your family know you’re all right, (even if you don’t exactly feel it). They’re probably more worried than you are.
Everyone feels at least a little homesick at first, and worried or just on a down. Talk to new friends you feel you can trust, and maybe write/call friends at home.
You’re at Uni for a few years, make the most of it, it’s over before you know it. Then you’ll miss the freedom and long holidays.
Keep in touch with family and friends at home, e-mail is easiest.
Don’t hang round with one little group ignoring everyone else. You’ll miss out on the chance of making other good friends as well.
Seriously don’t be careless with your money - it is the little extras here and there that have a way of quickly draining your bank account!
Don’t let peer pressure turn you into a beer-monster; you don’t have to drink all the time. If friends have a problem with you ordering soft drinks when you want, they’re probably not the friends you need. Drinking soft drinks is easier on the pocket, not to mention healthier.
Beer sessions.. It's a good idea to leave the beer until the weekend when you haven't got to worry as much about getting it together the next day.
Don't let everything get bottled up. Talk to somebody, family and friends or a student help line. Being away from home, especially for the first time can make you feel well lonely and lost. Talking about it usually puts everything into perspective.
Cooking. The curry house on the corner may do student specials. Take-away burgers may an easy option when you have a stack of work to do. But your money won't see you through the term. It really will be like throwing it away. Try cooking. Get a few basics in, salt, pepper, gravy mix, (goes with everything). If you’re house sharing, perhaps chip in. Veg stews are pretty easy, gut-filling and cheap, especially if you go to the veg shop. You’ll find a good cookbook worth the investment too. Ask the bookshop for one for the catering students course! It’ll have everything step by step.
When you’re going out for the night. Take just as much as you need, or want to spend. It’s very easy to have a few more beers when you’ve already had a few.
Clubs and stuff, almost all charge a joining a fee or pay-as-you-go. They are excellent for meeting people, blowing off steam, getting invites, finding something to take your mind off your subjects for an hour or two. But they can have a scary impact on your pocket. Whilst you may want to try climbing, sky diving, hockey and archery, stick to a few you know you’ll like and will be able to keep up with. You won’t have time for all of them anyway.
Live your first year as best as you can, you’re only a fresher once.
The ''B'' word .. When you have a fat student loan in your bank balance, the easiest thing to do is spend it, it’s just sitting there itching to be used. Don’t. (Or starve) There’s this word you’ll know very well by the time you leave University ''Budget''. Plan ahead so you don’t end up with too much debt. Sit down and work out what you’ve got coming in, what has to go out, rent etc. If there’s anything left over divide that by how many weeks until the next cheque clears. Then half that; you will need panic money some way down the line. Remember there’s always stuff you’ll need that you don’t put in the budget, stuff you just overlook - shampoo, photocopying, and toothpaste.

10 things you must know before getting your criminal justice degree

2009-01-22T20:55:00.004+07:00

Before you enter a college or university to get your online criminal justice degree there are certain things that you should know. These are:

Find out the difference between different levels of online degrees:

You can get online associate level degrees, bachelor level degrees, master level degrees and even PhDs. Depending on your existing level of educational achievement you have to make an appropriate choice as to what level of online degree you can go for or are eligible to get.

Find out the difference between different types of online degrees:

Online criminal justice degrees are available in many different majors or specialisations. Depending on your own inclinations and research about various career options you have to decide which type of online degree will be just right for you – which major, program or degree you should opt for. So find out about all the options available to you when it comes to online degrees in criminal justice.

Find out which online university or college is best for you:

There are hundreds of colleges and universities offering online degrees. But not all of them are equally good. Some are good, some are not-so-good and some are outright bad. Look at costs, time factor, course content, faculty, accreditation and transferability of credits, and all other possible factors that can impact your decision about which college or university is best for you. It is not easy to compare different colleges and universities and there are many dangers. Hence, the more thorough your research the better will be your choice.

Find out all you need to know about accreditation:

Almost all online colleges and universities offering online degrees boast of some accreditation or the other. But all accreditations are not the same. Accreditations by any of the eight regional accrediting bodies funded by the US Department of Education and authorised by the department to grant accreditations, are the most valuable and absolutely risk-free. Accreditations from other bodies are risky. Two states – Michigan and Oregon – have also put out negative lists as to which colleges and universities are not recognised or rather degrees from such colleges and universities are not recognised. The Michigan list also contains a list of accreditation bodies that are not recognised. Make it a point to find out whether the college or university you are thinking of entering is not in any of these two lists because then the degree that you earn will be worthless. In short, avoid colleges and universities known as diploma mills.

Find out about for-profit institutions such as ITT Tech:

For-profit institutions such as ITT Tech market their programs very aggressively. While such institutions may have a lot of good things going for them there are many bad points that these institutions do not care to advertise. Please research thoroughly all aspects before entering for-profit institutions such as ITT Tech.

Find out about for-profit universities such as the University of Phoenix:

The University of Phoenix is the unchallenged market leader in the for-profit education services industry. It is also the largest and the oldest university offering online degrees. It is also a very aggressive advertiser. Though it is a pioneer in online education and can boast of many innovations in the field of online education, not everything may be right about the University of Phoenix. Thoroughly check all the facts that they do not care to advertise and then make your choice – don’t just go by advertising or past reputation.

Find out the basics of an online criminal justice degree:

Find out about various careers, majors and specialisations. Find out about course curriculum, misconceptions about online degrees and all else that you need to know before going for an online criminal justice degree.

Find out about careers and salaries:

An online degree can open up many different types of careers. Find out which type of degrees will open up which type of careers as well as the possible or average salaries associated with each of these types of careers before deciding on any particular online degree in criminal justice.

Find out what all you will need to get an online criminal justice degree:

Find out what materials you will need, what kind of pre-requisites you must have, how difficult the program will be, what kind of syllabus you will face and so on before deciding on any particular online criminal justice program.

Find out what online criminal justice courses are like:

Find out the various differences and similarities between online and traditional courses. What kind of time will be required, what credentials will be required, what kind of homework will be required, what kind of classroom environment or teaching and learning environment you will have and so on before deciding on any particular online criminal justice program.

10 reasons to go to college

2009-01-22T20:51:00.002+07:00

Life is full of options and choices. The choices we make shape our future. As we stand at the cross roads after high school we must have the right vision to make the decision to go to college.

A college education secures our future. The number of employment opportunities is greater and statistics reveal that most leaders are college grads.
If you have a college education you will make more money which in turn will enable you to have a better lifestyle. If a high school graduate earns US$ 34,303 annually, a college graduate will earn US$ 56,334, and a person with a professional qualification will net at least US$ 99,411.
It is not just earnings. A college education makes you a rounded person. It shapes your communication skills, expands your knowledge base, makes you methodical and organized, and exposes you to a whole new world of learning.
People with a college education have better value systems and are healthier. They are able to guide their family positively.
College can help you qualify in fields you are interested in. So if you are an innovator, inventor, or healer, or artist you can train in the specific field and qualify.
According to experts, college graduates are self confident, have greater knowledge of governance, are less likely to become criminals, are emotionally and financially secure, make better partners and parents, and have a deeper understanding of human nature.
College instills a deep sense of right and wrong and is they very essence of a democratic world.
Education opens the doors to many things like multiple jobs, career choices, the chance to further education at any point in life, and the option of teaching others what you have learnt. Be it a child, family member, or a poor person you meet.
College education is an investment in you that yields much more than Wall Street investments.
College educated citizens will ensure the continuing success of the “American Dream.” The ability to see the right path and work for peace and prosperity.

Students according to Jose Marti a patriot are the very ramparts of a nation and the strongest advocates of freedom. Education creates a conscience and as a result a better human being. College education eventually becomes a legacy for future generations. Most succeeding generations of college educated people go to college themselves. The value of a good education becomes ingrained in their genes. Huge stones can be moved with muscle power but it is brain power that tells you how to move it and what can be done with it.

Ways To Pay For College

2009-01-22T20:48:00.001+07:00

One of the most stressful things about attending college is figuring out how to afford it. Paying for college doesn’t have to be impossible and students don’t have to be wealthy in order to get a quality education. There are a number of ways that almost anyone can afford to pursue the career of their dreams with the education they deserve.

Many traditional colleges and universities offer a convenient payment plan, which can be divided up into 10-12 months. After determining the entire yearly cost, that figure would be divided by the number of monthly payments and paid at the college’s billing office. Payments are usually determined from one year to the next and students must finish paying for one year of college before entering into a payment arrangement for the next. An example would be a college that would cost $12,000.00 per year in courses, meals and living on campus. In this scenario, many students can pay $1,000.00 per months for one year. For many families, a payment plan is much easier than trying to come up with a lump sum payment upfront.

Every year, many students qualify for federal student loans. Applications and information can be obtained at a high school guidance counselor’s office and/or the college of interest’s billing office. Applications for student loans are accepted each year and are generally required to be submitted at, or near, each new year. In order to be considered, student’s must be willing and able to provide documented income for themselves and their family so that their loan application can be properly assessed.

Local businesses, organizations and even colleges often provide scholarships to students who they believe will excel at college studies. These scholarships are usually available to high school seniors and are based on a number of factors, including grades, participation in school activities, employment and a personal interview. In order to be considered for a scholarship, students must apply by obtaining an application at their high school guidance counselor’s office or from the organization granting the scholarship.

For students who are not eligible for the above options, but still want to attend college, there is an alternate option that will gradually help them to work toward their degree. College courses are offered at a certain cost, which is calculated on a credit hour basis. Many colleges allow students to enroll in several classes without becoming a full-time student and being required to pay the full tuition. These students can often pay as they go, which means they only pay for the course(s) they are taking at the time and this will be a much more affordable way to pay for college. It will take longer to obtain a degree, but anything worth having is worth waiting for.

Anyone who wants extra cash to pay for college may find that a part-time job will help, along with selling items at online auction sites, such as eBay and Yahoo. Many students have financed their college tuition through these auction sites without taking too much time away from their studies.

5 Ways to Fund Your Child's College Education

2009-01-22T20:42:00.002+07:00

Did you know that the cost of a 4 year degree program is around $20,000 dollars per year.

The cost of a college education is probably the most expensive item in bringing up children today. When you take into account tuition fees, exam fees, living expenses, accommodation, books and computers it's not surprising that the average cost of college education is over $20,000 per year and that's before the social side of college life.

Today we live in a world where only the best educated and most prepared can succeed. The Job market is probably the most crucial and competitive element of our society and having a college education and degree goes a long way towards succeeding in it.

When our children are ready to enter the world of work it will be even more difficult and a college education will be essential to succeed. Here are 5 ways to fund your child's college education.

The usual method of parental funding of college education is out of current income, that is out of your weekly or monthly salary.

Whilst this is the most common method of funding college education it is one that only the very rich or highly paid can afford to do with ease. Even if there are 2 salaries most families find it difficult and will require sacrifices, even more so if you have more than 1 child. At best most parents can only afford to contribute part of the costs of college education out of current income. Additional sources of income will be required.

Your child can work his or her way through college.

Many students have to work whilst studying but many find the experience of juggling a job, lectures and a social life very difficult. Often the result is that students drop out of college education, fail their exams or don't do as well as they could.

Your child may have the opportunity to take out student loans to fund their college education.

Today the vast majority of students are forced to take out student loans to fund all or part of their college education. Usually to subsidize parental contributions, student loans are the most common way of students funding their own college education. Many students however, leave college with substantial debt and even with interest rates at historically low levels today's students can expect to have to pay substantial monthly repayments for many years.

Your child may obtain a scholarship or be entitled to grants from either federal or local funds towards the cost of their college education.

There are many sources of student scholarships or grants and with a bit of research most students today can find some grant funding. These sources however cannot be guaranteed for the future. Whilst scholarships and grants do not have to be repaid and as such are preferable to loans they are not guaranteed or predictable and therefore relying on them for our children is a risk.

Take out an education savings plan to fund college education.

An education savings plan is a regular saving plan into which you and your children can contribute. The plans are administered by colleges or state authorities and can be taken out for any child including a newborn babies. Because of the effects of long term compound interest the earlier you take out your plan the easier it will be and the lower your contributions will be. Because the funds are built up prior to going to college students do not have to rely on scholarships, grants or loans and they can concentrate on their studies.

There are a number of options to fund your child's college education but the only way funds can be guaranteed is by you taking out an education savings plan. With the education savings plan you decide what you can invest and your child can also contribute to his or her college education. With luck scholarships and grants will still be available as will loans to top up if necessary. If your child does not go to college the fund can be cashed in.

Taking out an education savings plan early will give your child the real opportunity of a college education and the best prospects for a job when they leave college.

5 Ways an Online MBA Degree Gets You Ahead Faster

2009-01-22T20:24:00.001+07:00

What is an MBA? MBA stands for Masters of Business Administration, and is a degree you get to take the next step in business administration. Getting an online MBA degree can reap many benefits, and may possibly be the tool you need in furthering your business career. Doing a little research will help you decide if participating in an MBA online course is the best course of action for you to take.

Getting your MBA online is a great way to get you ahead in your career path. By taking online MBA courses, you can get your degree at home, on your own time. Imagine the convenience! Getting your MBA online is also great if you are a working parent, yet wish to further your business education. By participating in an online MBA course, you do not have to attend classes at an actual university. You can take all courses online, in the privacy of your own home. Online classroom procedures vary from class to class.

Another way getting your MBA online gets you ahead fast is you can usually complete the online MBA program in about two years. By taking your MBA courses online, you can get your MBA degree quickly, and enable yourself to do what is necessary in order to reach the next step in your business career goals.

MBA online courses come with may benefits that will help you in your business career. As long as the university is accredited, you may be eligible to get grants, loans, and/or scholarships to help you financially with payment of your MBA course studies program. You can get applications for these loans, grants and scholarships directly from the learning institution's online web page, if you are unable to get to the learning institutions financial aid office in person.

The value of an MBA degree is surely to help you when trying to advance in the right business career. The MBA is taken very seriously in careers including:

· accounting
· economics
· marketing

Many businesses will look very highly upon a potential employee with an MBA degree.

The MBA can also help you make more money. It is estimated that the MBA is alone worth $10-30,000 a year, depending on factors such as your employer and the location of your jobs. Investing in a MBA degree online can ensure you larger earnings for your future.

Getting your MBA degree online can be very beneficial to your business future. Getting your MBA degree online can be less time consuming, and much more convenient than the traditional classroom. Not only can you be eligible for grants, scholarships, and/or student loans, but getting your MBA degree can ensure you more money added to your annual salary. But do not jump headfirst into the first online MBA program you find. It is always best to do some research, as questions, and evaluate different schools to ensure you are enrolling in the online MBA program that is best suited for you.

5 Tips to find the best online university for you

2009-01-22T20:20:00.000+07:00

Getting a university education online has become a very practical reality for people who cannot spare the time and commitment to enroll in a regular university on a campus. Today there are countless options for getting yourself an online education, depending on your specific needs and goals. Therefore making the right choice that will be most suited to your schedule and learning style as well as the course itself is of prime importance.

1. Be clear about your needs

Different people have different needs for getting an online education. Before you begin considering your options, do some introspection to determine what kind of education you seek, how you can schedule your online education to fit into your routine, how much time and effort you are prepared to spare and whether it is personal fulfillment or career advancement that you aim to achieve through the course.

2. Investigate your options

The Internet is teeming with offers of online education for every conceivable purpose. So take the time to gather information about the options that suit you. Most schools provide free information kit on their education programs that can help you get a better idea of what’s in store if you choose to enroll with any of them. You have the option of conducting searches according to the type of courses you are interested in and colleges based on locations. Make sure you have a clear idea of the program being offered before you invest your hard earned money and time into any one of them.

3. Be wary of scams

As with all offers on the Internet, there is no dearth of scams that you need to be wary of when doing your searches for the right course. If you’ve heard about a course through a spam e-mail, steer clear of it. Fake degrees and credentials are plentiful and you’ll only be wasting your time, effort and money if you go with one of them.

4. Look for accreditation

Accreditation of the school or institute that you enroll in, is of vital importance. After all if the reason you are pursuing further education is to advance your career, the degree you will be earning needs to be recognized by your employers or prospective employers.

5. What are the facilities being offered

Different online courses have different facilities to offer their students. Many offer services like tutoring, reference links, library access, technical assistance, discussion threads, interaction with fellow students and a variety of other features. Depending on the kind of study aids that are likely to benefit you, make your choice based on the kind of facilities you can avail once you enroll for a course.

4-year Colleges vs. Technical Schools: Your Choice

2009-01-22T20:18:00.000+07:00

College is not for everyone, but that does not mean you shouldn’t pursue some sort of higher education or job training. When you think about your future, what do you envision? Are you doing something you love, or are you just working for a paycheck?

If you are one of the many who is trying to make a decision about where to spend your money and invest your future, read on. This article provides a comparison of 4 year colleges and technical schools. Which one is right for you?

How to choose between 4-year colleges and technical schools:
Ask yourself these questions and then consider the benefits and disadvantages of each type of school.

What are your goals? Do you have a specific career goal? What are your educational goals? Do you want to learn as much as you can about a variety of subjects? Do you want to learn as much as you can about one specific topic (become an expert)?

What are your strengths? Weaknesses? Would you benefit from a shorter more targeted program?

Lifestyle. How will school fit into your life? Would you benefit from non-traditional scheduling such as online, evening, or distance learning? 4-year colleges and technical colleges both offer such options, but it varies by school so check with any schools you are interested in attending.

What do you need? Realistically, what sort of degree or training do you need to pursue your dreams? Research your desired field--know what the requirements are and how they compare to the programs you are considering. The US Department of Education website offers resources for career and training research.

Be a consumer. Check equipment; is it new and up-to-date? How does it compare to the equipment you will be using on the job? Trust me, this can be tedious but it is quite important. After graduation I realized I should have taken more time to research the computer programs employers expected me to know for technical writing jobs. Had I been better informed, I could have taken extra courses dealing specifically with those programs.

Investigate the following: campus size, current and former students, faculty and staff;
Find out if the school is accredited and licensed; Do they make extraordinary claims? Will your credits be transferable?

4-year Colleges

Some people like to learn just for the sake of learning, while some are more focused and driven and use school as a steppingstone for job advancement. If you are interested in more scholarly pursuits a traditional 4-year college might be your best option.

Benefits: liberal arts training applies to many fields, diverse topics to explore, prestige, “college life”

Disadvantages: expensive, time consuming, may get degree in area you no longer wish to pursue, high admission standards and prerequisites, job market may be slower upon graduation-may require additional training

Technical Schools

If college was for everyone, technical schools would not exist. Some people may feel a stigma is attached to technical schools. In a society where attending college has become standard, we lose sight of the value of skills training. People feel abnormal and may be angry if they don’t want to go to college but feel pressured to do so anyway.

Benefits: shorter duration, focused programs, easier admission standards, flexible scheduling, certifications not necessarily offered at 4-year colleges, hands on training

Disadvantages: may be viewed as less prestigious, can be expensive, may be less room for exploration of other subjects, accreditation, for-profit institutions

Many of the fastest growing jobs do not require a bachelor’s degree but do require post-secondary education (education beyond high school) These jobs include:
• Medical Assistants
• Social and human service assistants
• Home health aides
• Medical records and health information technicians
• Physical therapist aides
• Physical therapist assistants
• Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors
• Veterinary technologists and technicians
• Hazardous materials removal workers
• Dental hygienists
• Occupational therapist aides
• Dental assistants
• Personal and home care aides
• Self-enrichment education teachers
• Occupational therapist assistants
• Environmental science and protection technicians, including health
• Preschool teachers, except special education
• Respiratory therapists

For more information on job growth statistics see the Bureau of Labor Statistics webpage.

Remember, the best way to determine what is right for you is to simply know yourself and be informed.

3 Common Types Of College Scholarship Grants

2009-01-22T20:14:00.000+07:00

For there are several college students that need some help in order to continue their studies, there are college scholarship grants given to those who are in need or with special talent on a certain field.

There are 3 common types of scholarships grants awarded to college students and soon-to-be college students: athletic scholarship grant, academic scholarship grant, and departmental awards. Each has its criteria to consider before awarding the grant. Each also has a particular group of student to target.

Academic Scholarship Grant

This type of scholarship grant is awarded to students who achieve a qualified GPA or has achieved an exceptional academic performance before entering college. This grant is usually awarded to students who have received honors. It is sometimes awarded automatically upon entering college or university but most schools require application for academic scholarship grants.

Basically, the primary focus of schools giving academic scholarship is of course the academic aspect; however, some colleges and universities base the grant on either merit or need, or both.

Upon passing an academic scholarship grant, the student is required to maintain a ceiling grade. If not achieved after the end of the term, colleges and universities usually put the student on probationary status until the grades reached the prescribed level. If not achieved however, the academic scholarship grand may be terminated.

Athletic Scholarship Grant

If you are on the competitive edge, you get an athletic scholarship grant. However, this is highly sought after type of scholarship and there are many students applying for this.

An athlete of course wants to go through college for free using this type of scholarship. Some even dream to finish college as an athlete. And this dream is not far from the realizing. With good personal marketing and exceptional skill in any sport, you will be able to apply and be granted with this type of scholarship.

Departmental Awards

This type of scholarship grant aims to provide the student with the option to stay or take up his or her studies on a particular department. Usually, it is offered to exceptional students with desire to take other fields. The departmental awards are given so as not to keep the students in the department. Or, it is given to attract interested students to take study at a particular department.

You can inquire about this type of scholarship directly on the department of the school.

There are other college scholarship grants that are given to students but basically, these three are the ones given by the schools themselves.

2 Years to an Associates Degree

2009-01-22T20:01:00.000+07:00

In the United States, an associate degree is a 2-year degree given by colleges upon completion of an associate degree program. Associate degrees are generally 2-year degrees, like those awarded at community colleges. Associate degrees are also available online - allowing students to study on a schedule that suits their busy lives. An Associate Degree is a type of undergraduate degree that requires at least 60 semester credit hours. With full-time study, it will take 2 years to complete - or 4 semesters with 15 credit hours. An associate degree program involves a general education requirement, major requirements, and electives.

The two types of associate degrees offered are the A.A. or associate of arts degree, and the A.A.S., which is the associate of applied science degree. You can earn and A.A. degree at a community or junior college, at a technical school, or even online. This degree designation indicates that you have completed a course of study with an extensive foundation in general education, as well as concentration in a particular area. Your degree is often in an occupational area, or in liberal arts. This degree is designed to transfer to a four-year college or university.

Associate of Applied Science degree (A.A.S.) is intended for graduates that seek career entry or job advancement after 2 years of college study. AAS degrees will possibly transfer some or all credits to a four-year college. Associate of Applied Science degrees are the preference of employers seeking people to fill various middle level technology positions.

Once you get an associate degree, you typically need another 2 years or 60 credit hours to earn a bachelor degree. Earning an associates degree is a great away for a student to see what direction they want to take in their education. Either degree is a great option for those seeking to earn an associate degree.

The Purpose of Education

2009-01-22T19:40:00.000+07:00

Education---like democracy, free markets, freedom of the press, and "universal human rights" --- is one of those subjects whose virtue is considered self-evident. So is the superiority of the industrially advanced countries in attaining them. Consequently, any package that arrives with one of these magic labels on it, automatically qualifies for the "green channel" at our entry ports. No questions asked. This uncritical acceptance has severely crippled our discussion of all these vital topics. For example in education most of our discussion centers around literacy statistics and the need to have so many graduates, masters, Phd’s, and so many professionals --- engineers, doctors, etc.--- in a given country based on the standards in the industrially advanced countries. The central issue of curriculum, and even more fundamental issue of the purpose of education normally do not attract our attention; they have already been decided by the "advanced’ countries for us and our job is only to follow in their footsteps to achieve their level of progress.

Indeed they have. In the "first" world, education has become an extension of the capitalist system. Its purpose is to provide qualified workforce for its machinery of production and eager consumers for its products. Stated in a more polished form, the purpose of education is to provide for the economic prosperity of a country. Similarly on a personal level today the purpose of education is to be able to earn a respectable living.

While earning halal living and providing for the economic well being of a country are certainly important Islamic goals as well, the linking of education to financial goals is extremely unfortunate. It turns the centers of learning into mere vocational centers in their outlook and spirit. It degrades education and through it the society.

To bring home the pivotal but forgotten role of education we need to recall that there is a fundamental difference between human beings and animals. Instincts and physical needs alone can bring ants, bees, or herds of beasts together to live in a perfectly functioning animal society. Human beings do not function that way. They are not constrained by nature to follow only those ways that are necessary for the harmonious operation of their society. If they are to form a viable, thriving society, they must chose to do so. What drives that choice is the sharing of common goals, beliefs, values and outlook on life. Without a common framework binding its members, a human society cannot continue to exist; it will disintegrate and be absorbed by other societies. Further, the society must ensure that the common ground will continue to hold from generation to generation. This is the real purpose of education. The education system of a society produces the citizens and leaders needed for the smooth operation of that society, now and into the future. Its state of health or sickness translates directly into the health or sickness of the society that it is meant to serve.

Today we find many internal problems --- corruption, injustice, oppression, crippling poverty --- everywhere we turn in the Muslim world. If we think about it, we may realize that most of these problems are man-made. Which is another way of saying that they are largely traceable, directly or indirectly, to the education system that produced the people who perpetuate the problems. The rulers who sell out to foreign powers and subjugate their people; the bureaucrats who enforce laws based on injustice; the generals who wage war against their own people; the businessmen who exploit and cheat; the journalists who lie, sensationalize, and promote indecencies, they are all educated people, in many cases "highly" educated people. Their education was meant to prepare them for the roles they are playing in real life. And it has, although in a very unexpected way!

The problem plagues all layers of society. Why are Muslim communities in the grip of so much materialism today? What should we expect when our entire education system is preaching the gospel of materialism? Why have we effectively relegated Islam to a small inconsequential quarter in our public life? Because that is precisely where our secular education system has put it. Why in our behavior toward each other we see so little display of Islamic manners and morals? Because our imported education system is devoid of all moral training. Why our societies are sick? Because our education system is sick.

This is the real crisis of education. Before we got into this mess by importing from the Colonial powers what was current and popular, education in our societies was always the means of nurturing the human being. Moral training, tarbiya, was always an inalienable part of it. The ustaz,(teacher), was not just a lecturer or mere professional, but a mentor and moral guide. We remembered the hadith then, "No father has given a greater gift to his children than good moral training." [Tirmidhi]. Our education system was informed by this hadith. Our darul-ulooms still maintain that tradition but the number of students who pass through their gates is minuscule compared to the secular schools.

In the U.S. and Europe, the schools were started by the church. Later as forces of capitalism overtook them, they molded them into their image. Moral training was a casualty of that takeover. But capitalism and their political economy did need people trained to work under these systems. So citizenship training was retained as an important, though diminishing, component of the curriculum--- a religion-free subset of the moral training it displaced. Whatever civility we see here is largely a result of that leftover component. The imported versions in the Muslim countries, though, had even that component filtered out. And the results are visible.

We can solve our problem once we realize our mistakes. The first purpose of our education system must be to produce qualified citizens and leaders for the Islamic society. Tarbiya, real Islamic moral training, must be an integral part of it. This must be the soul of our education, not a ceremonial husk. All plans for improving our education will be totally useless unless they are based on a full understanding of this key fact. This requires revamping our curricula, rewriting our textbooks, retraining our teachers, and realizing that we must do all this ourselves. We do have a rich history of doing it. Are we finally willing to turn to our own in-house treasures to redo education the way it should always have been? (By Khalid Baig, albalagh.net)

Benedictine University Tops Out As America's Best Online College

2009-01-21T01:05:00.000+07:00

Benedictine University has a long standing history of quality education. Originally founded in 1887 by Benedictine monks, the school has undergone several name changes and grown to what it is today. Initially a school to teach Czech and Slovak men, it grew to become coeducation and finally it included a complete curriculum of course work and advanced study. Because of the demand for more flexible education options to accommodate the needs of stay at home parents and working adults, Benedictine University adopted an adult learning program.

An adult learning program is ideal for any adult with restrictions on their time due to professional or family obligations. It enables the student to continue their education in a formal atmosphere, getting all the advantages of traditional college courses. However, learning at Benedictine University is done at an accelerated pace and at more convenient times. This will allow the working adult to fit in classes after work and on the weekends and allow the stay at home parent to study during times the children do not need to be taken back and forth to school.

The classes at Benedictine University for adult learning are designed for adults who have not yet completed their bachelor’s degree. Therefore, the class sizes are smaller and comprised of peers with similar situations. To enroll in the program, each student must be at least twenty four years old and have at least two years work experience. This can be a much more comfortable environment for adults who have life and work experience already. Often sitting in class with students much younger than you are can be uncomfortable. Also, because of life experience, many of the topics covered you may already be knowledgeable on. Sitting through tedious work you are already familiar with can be frustrating and lead to a lack of drive. However, learning among your peers will be motivational.

The flexibility of adult learning at Benedictine University allows the student to plan their course schedule according to their existing time commitments. Because the reality is that sometimes these commitments change, you can design the courses each time to coincide with your personal and professional life. You may also take stop outs if your schedule becomes especially hectic. The modules, or classes, have a staggered year round schedule to accommodate all needs. You may start a module at the time that is convenient for you. You may also design your work load for as many or as few classes as you can handle at one time.

Benedictine University has decreased fees for adult learning to make obtaining a degree more affordable. There is also tuition assistance available from the financial aid center. Benedictine University has a proven record of academic excellence and continues this by developing programs for the needs of all their students. By designing an adult learning curriculum they are able to accommodate the unique scheduling requirements of adults with time restrictions due to personal or professional obligations. No longer does completing a bachelor’s degree have to be a daunting task. Using the flexibility the adult learning program affords, you can get a solid education without sacrificing existing responsibilities.

Online College Nursing for busy student

2009-01-20T01:09:00.000+07:00

When deciding on a master’s degree in nursing, consider an online college for nursing. It may be the answer for those who have reservations about returning to school. The biggest concern for most people is the time they will have to devote to attending classes, finding time for group projects, homework, and taking tests. School can be stressful when trying to balance it with other areas of one’s life. Raising families, working full-time, and taking care of others can leave a person with little time for an education. But an online master’s degree in nursing may help a person be able to complete all tasks during the day.

People consider an online college for nursing because they have jobs, families, and other obligations. All classes are conducted online. Students buy books that are on a syllabus that is provided at the beginning of the class. In most online programs, up to four classes can be taken per semester. This is an advantage for those who can only take one or two. It may take longer to receive a degree, but a person can take the classes that they feel they can handle. For some, this is reason enough to consider an online nursing degree.

All course descriptions are offered before each semester. These descriptions also list projects and other assignments that might be due at the end of the semester. People can choose which classes they would like to take. This is similar to traditional college study. A nurse can gauge how much time they will need to complete the class and how much time they can devote to the class. There are also summer classes available. Assignments are given and even though there are scheduled days when they are due; there is usually more time to complete them. For those who can work with minimal supervision, an online program is the right choice. Consider an online college for nursing when trying to fit in an advanced degree into an already full day.

Buying College Textbooks

2009-01-19T01:11:00.000+07:00

High school students take having free books for granted. Most incoming college freshmen are in for a big shock when they see the price of their new calculus book. That's what my advice is here for. $150 for one book is a lot to swallow, not to mention the $30 lab manual that comes with it. Oh and did you forget the $15 CD too? Buying textbooks is very, very expensive. On average a student buying his/her books from the school bookstore can expect to pay anywhere from $300-$400. So you’re looking at spending nearly $750 for books the whole year. In this article I am going to discuss some of the unconventional means of acquiring your books for the semester.

Nearly all incoming students look up their book lists online a week before class starts and buys their books from the university bookstore. People make fun of freshman because they don’t know any better, and this is a prime example. I’ll admit it, I bought my first semester’s books from the university book store, and boy did it show in my pocket book. University bookstores (or bookstores on campus) have the highest mark-up of all stores. You are a fool if you buy your books from them. The only time I recommend buying your book from the university bookstore is when they are the only supplier. For instance, if your professor wrote his own book and you can only buy it through the school.

The next best method of buying books is from a bookstore off-campus. But even here you will still pay hundreds of dollars for books you probably won’t read. Off-campus bookstores are generally smaller and don’t have the selection size of a university bookstore. If you are buying off-campus be sure to pick your books up early, because they will probably run out.

In my opinion, the best method of buying books is online. You can not beat the prices. If you are new to college an unfamiliar with sites that sell textbooks, please visit Amazon (I have several links to them on my site). Half.com and Ebay are also excellent places to find new and used textbooks. Most teachers post their required textbooks online a few weeks before the semester starts. This is the perfect time to search Amazon for you book. You have to look early because shipping can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks. If you can wait the shipping time, buying online is the best option. I turned to online buying after my freshman year. It was the best money saving method I used all through college. You turn $350 semester book fees into a mere $150 (or less). It’s amazing how so few students are actually buying online. These companies are 100% safe. There is no reason not to buy online.

Now I will go through some of the pros and cons of buying books from our three different means.

On-campus Bookstore
Pro – prime location
Pro – save time
Pro – get the exact editions you need
Pro – offer new and used books
Pro – offer buy back plans
Con – too expensive
Con – you get like $10 buy back for a $100 book
Con – not as many used copies

Off-campus Bookstore
Pro – less expensive
Pro – lots of used books
Pro – offer buy backs
Con – may have older editions
Con – not located nearby (unless you live off campus)
Con – small selections

Online Bookstore
Pro – cheapest books anywhere
Pro – get exactly the book you need
Pro – buy anytime
Con – have to wait 1-2 weeks for delivery

Some other tips on how to save money when it comes to buying books
Tip 1. Share a book with a friend
Tip 2. Always buy used
Tip 3. Buy previous editions (the books don’t change, trust me)
Tip 4. Look if the book is in e-book form
Tip 5. Swap books with other students

If you are going to get anything out of this article, the most important point being made is to be smart with your money. Buy your books online. It is by far the cheapest method. You can buy previous editions of the book you need for a fraction of the price. Editions don’t change from year to year. Buying edition 4 instead of 5 will not make a difference. This is based on my experiences, the pages numbers and writing will be exactly the same. Publishing textbooks is all a big scam. They update editions every year or two and expect us to buy them for $150.

Also, please be cautious when buying books from a bookstore on or near campus. They will tell you “Bring you book back at the end of the year and you will get CASH!” They always make up these gimmicks that put a picture of you stuffing wads of twenties in your wallet. What they don’t tell you is that they don’t always buy books back. If a new edition comes out, guess what, you’re screwed. I would say 75% of the time you will wait in the buy back line and they will say “I’m sorry, we aren’t buying that book back”. If this does happen to you I suggest you make an Amazon account and sell your book online. I’ve done it, and it works.

For more information on how to save money when buying textbooks, or if you have any questions in general, please email me at collegesos@yahoo.com

Campus Calling - Youth Connects On Online Board

2009-01-18T01:12:00.000+07:00

Not all the writing is on the wall, some of it is also on the notice board. Summer jobs wanted, tuitions available, second-hand laptop for sale, brand new mobile phone lost and found — the college noticeboard is quite the silent chronicler of the life of the student community. But at a time when hundreds of youngsters cross over to the virtual world every day, the notice board is at best a blink-and-you-miss item. And cashing in on this virtual defection is online notice board searchmycampus.

Brainchild of Peyush Bansal, 23, the site was launched last December and has found earnest following among students who are using it to exchange information on everything from accommodation, to car pools, to buying and selling books, bikes, notes, furniture, mobiles..

The genesis of searchmycampus lies in Bansal's experiences at a Canadian university where, he says, he virtually lived on streets, with no clue about accommodation. "I went to McGill University in Montreal at 18, against my parents' wishes. I faced a lot hassles in settling down in the campus. So, when I retuned to India I decided to create this online campus board that would provide students a platform. I believe that only students can solve the problems of other students."

By way of homework, after returning to India in October 2007, Bansal spent a lot of time traveling, meeting college students all over the country to understand their problems. Co-founder of the site and student of Indraprastha University, Delhi, Parit Gupta, 21, also helped him. Chetna, a student of Sri Ram College of Commerce, points out that besides not having time enough to look up the college notice board there is also the problem of “torn notices.” She has recently put an ad on searchmycampus with a request that someone lend her a copy of Eric Seghal's Love Story.

Kanika Saraff, a first year Economics student of Hindu college, also posted an ad seeking a summer job and was pleasantly surprised when she got a good response. She says, "Most outstation students like me do not know whom to approach for various things such as a good accommodation or summer jobs. This campus board will fill this gap."

Besides facilitating intra-college communication, the website also promises to create better inter-college communication channels. Take the case of aspiring musician Romi of Delhi University, who wants to form a band. 'I am a lead singer looking forward to establish a band, but not able to find good guitarists and drummers. Anyone interested may contact me', says Romi's post.

Ankit Khirwal is one of many DU students who are actively promoting the online campus notice board. He says, "I spend a lot of time tracking down all important notices on campus boards in various colleges and post them here. I believe there is so much that students can do for each other through this website."

A part from Delhi, the site is getting popular in campuses in other cities such as Bangalore, where students are also offering lots of gadgets such as, iPods, Laptops, Handsfree, DVDs with pictures of the stuff they are seeking to sell, their price and a note of on their condition. "The student-oriented online campus is quite innovative. Students from all over the country can post their queries on the site; it has the potential to replace the college notice board in the future," says Tosha Koshi, who is doing her masters from Christ College, Bangalore.

Bansal says he wishes to bring together the community of 11 million college going students in the country under the umbrella of SearchMyCampus. He says, "This may not be as cool as various social networking sites, but it will surely be highly useful. Now I want to create a category where students can share their emotional problems too, campus life is all about sharing and caring for each other."

Choosing A College; How To Start

2009-01-17T01:16:00.000+07:00

With more than three thousand colleges and universities from which to choose, every student who takes the time to intelligently explore his or her educational options (and adheres to application and financial aid deadlines) should gain admission to at least three or four institutions in which they are highly likely to be happy and successful. Students and parents will therefore not find the college application process an anxiety provoking experience if they understand there is no single "right" college, if they maintain reasonable expectations, do a little planning, and take full advantage of the many informational resources available to them.

It is important to realize that only about five percent of the colleges and universities in the United States deny admission to more than fifty percent of their applicants. Therefore, unless you plan to apply to those highly selective institutions, the odds of your gaining admission to the colleges to which you do apply are probably very strongly in your favor. And, if your grades and SAT or ACT scores are high enough so that applying to the most selective colleges is a reasonable and realistic option for you, you can almost be assured of admission to any number of excellent but slightly less competitive institutions.

The extent to which a college can afford to be selective is a function of its perceived quality and/or popularity. Thus, while it is true that the colleges and universities with the highest academic profiles tend to be the most selective, many fine institutions do not enjoy the luxury of receiving applications from a significantly greater number of students than they are able to admit, and are therefore only moderately or even minimally selective.

Keeping in mind what we have just discussed, you are now ready to begin your college search.

Your first and most important step to identify at least a half dozen institutions which offer the academic programs and co-curricular activities of interest to you, provide a campus environment in which you will feel comfortable, and are likely to offer you admission. Begin by meeting with your school counselor to:

1.solicit his or her college recommendations.
2.discuss the courses you plan to take in future years.
3.sign up for the SAT and ACT.
4.learn which college representatives will be visiting your school.
5.find out about upcoming college fairs in your area.

Don’t forget that the web is a great source of information. Do a few searches for terms like colleges", "college scholarships", "financial aid" and "college admissions" to identify some good online resources.

After completing the above steps, you’re off to a good start. Enjoy your search!

Capella University: an honest review

2009-01-17T01:15:00.000+07:00

Online universities are a boon for adults who wish to continue their education despite working. Capella is amongst those names that come to mind foremost when one is considering earning a degree online. Formed in 1993, Capella University became fully accredited in 1997. With accreditation came a name change and formation of five different schools namely: Education, Business, Technology, Human Sciences and Psychology. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the university offers 650 courses in 70 specialization areas of studies. With statistics such as 650 faculty members and over 550 administrative and personnel staff, the university is inarguably one of the better places to earn an online degree and currently has over 13,000 learners enrolled with it.

There are several upsides and some down sides of studying at Capella. Consider these points for instance:

Capella has a personalized portal for e-learning called iGuide. After enrolling students are given secure access to courses and transcripts which will enable you to join the interactive learning community. On joining the online classroom, which they refer to as ‘Courseroom’ the student has access to online assignments and discussion forums. Most students find this alternative far superior to the cumbersome online chats and perpetually non-functioning webcams of their competitors. Similarly, the assignment submission protocol through Capella is quite convenient. Under the system, students have to submit their assignments in zip files or Microsoft Word documents.

The University also offers a number of opportunities that extend beyond graduation. One, for example is the alumni center located on the online portal. This service offers recent graduates and students access to networking opportunities, professional employment information, and developmental grants. Students are generally pleased with this feature although some have criticized the alumni center as being much more fluff than actual job offers.

While on the subject of employment, it is important to consider that many students in online universities choose that option for the chance to work at the same time. Unfortunately, however, students are frequently finding that the University does not do much by way of providing employment for students. Students find the opportunity for work-study rather dismal. The University does not offer much assistance for this except for students who live in the vicinity of the headquarters.

While this type of limitation might be expected from an online university, the school does offer some rather extensive assistance when it comes to special needs for learning. Capella University provides disability services to physically challenged students in the form of additional learning time, residential colloquia support, including sign language interpreters and mobility assistance.

Regarding other services, however, Capella comes up short. Capella does have a bookstore, which offers a wide variety of books and software. But it is generally felt that the books can definitely be bought a lot cheaper from other places instead of the university bookstore. While some students claim that the use of a University book store is merely a means for Capella to generate revenue at the expense of the school, it is rather simple to opt out of this trap by purchasing books online. And in other respects, the school, regarding cost, is quite competitive with other online universities, and a real bargain compared to its brick and mortar counterparts.

While many of the individual schools within Capella carry quite a strong reputation, the psychology school is regarded as quite unsatisfactory. The Psychology School has been plagued with some problems concerning its top management. The school has been beset with repeat changes of deans resulting in total lack of coordination. Add to this, the program is till now, not approved by the apex American Psychological Association (APA) despite being in existence for so many years.

But as stated previously, the condition of this particular school should not be taken as an indication of the collective university. With a faculty numbering 650, many students find the quality and variety of professors a major asset to the university. Some students have argued, however, that contrary to this, existing students often complain of these very instructors as being part time contractors and as such not dedicated enough to adequately serve their students as teachers and mentors. In fact professors at Capella are often labeled as ‘incapable of online teaching’, a criticism pointing to many professors non-familiarity with the online environment. An argument in favor of this thought comes from the experience of some students who loved the experience of pursuing an online masters degree with Capella and after coming back for more by enrolling for their doctoral program, were disappointed. They claim an obvious degradation of quality of mentoring at the higher levels. This may be because the vast majority of students enrolled at Capella do not seek to extend their education that far.

Overall Capella provides students with a bit of a mixed bag. The format of class teaching and the ease of assignment submissions is a very tangible benefit of this school over its competitors. In addition, the University faculty has some very able-minded and talented teachers. But with these positives, come some very serious drawbacks. The teaching quality at Capella is inconsistent at times, leaving some students with the impression that the qualifications required for teaching are too low. Additionally, the failure of the school to attain accreditation in some areas, despite its age, can only leave the impression that the quality of the administration has some serious flaws.

Choosing a College Degree - What is Best for You?

2009-01-16T01:18:00.000+07:00

Choosing a college degree can be a very difficult decision to make. There are many things to consider but it is important to decide on the right college degree for the type of occupation that you want to pursue. You may find that you do not actually need a college degree but that a certificate or diploma will be sufficient, or your chosen profession may require further study after a college degree such as medicine or law.

Certificates or diplomas require a shorter period of study than a traditional college degree and are usually taken by students wanting to pursue a career in an occupational field. Quite often a certificate or diploma can be taken before embarking on a college degree course.

An associate degree is awarded after completing a two-year college degree course. Some community colleges and other universities offer an associate degree program which allows you to transfer to a four-year college degree course after you have been awarded the appropriate associate degree. There are a number of occupations where a two-year college degree is recommended or required including:

• Administrative Assistant
• Automotive Mechanic
• Cardiovascular Technician
• Commercial Artist
• Computer Technician
• Dental Hygienist
• Drafter
• Engineering Technician
• Funeral Director
• Graphic Designer
• Heating, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician
• Hotel or Restaurant Manager
• Medical Laboratory Technician
• Medical Record Technician
• Insurance Agent
• Registered Nurse
• Surgical Technologist
• Surveyor
• Visual Artist
• Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

A traditional four-year college degree is the most frequently required qualification for a number of occupations. Some examples of professions requiring a four-year college degree in an appropriate discipline are:

• Accountant
• Computer Systems Analyst
• Dietitian
• Editor
• Engineer
• FBI Agent
• Investment Banker
• Journalist
• Medical Illustrator
• Pharmacist
• Public Relations Specialist
• Recreational Therapist
• Research Assistant
• Social Worker
• Teacher
• Writer

There are also a number of occupations that require a student to obtain a college degree that is longer than the conventional four-year college degree programs. These extended professional college degree programs include:

• Architect
• Biologist
• Chiropractor
• Dentist
• Diplomat
• Doctor
• Economist
• Geologist
• Lawyer
• Librarian
• Management Consultant
• Palaeontologist
• Priest
• Psychologist
• Public Policy Analyst

It is important to choose a college degree course that is suitable for the career path you want to follow. If you are unsure of which field of occupation you want to enter then it is advisable to take a certificate or diploma course first. This will enable you to change disciplines without having spent four years on a degree course that ends up not being something that you want to pursue.

Choosing An Online Private College And University

2009-01-15T01:19:00.000+07:00

Private colleges and Universities are known for their high standards and excellent academic programs. Their online programs are no different. If you are ready to get your Bachelor’s degree, or if you are ready to continue your post-secondary education, consider an online private college or University degree program.

Getting an education through an online private college or university degree program can be an experience that is every bit as enriching, interpersonal, and dynamic as attending college the traditional face-to-face way. A big misconception is that online learning is impersonal. This isn’t the case at all. Programs offered online present the same opportunities for group work, independent study, and interpersonal communication as do traditional methods of learning. In fact, attending college online helps to facilitate the independent learning process, as well as developing time management skills. Attending an online University takes just as much commitment as the old-fashioned way of going to school, and the potential career and personal benefits are just as great, if not greater. As the popularity of attending college online increases, more campus-based private colleges and Universities are joining the fast-growing group of online-only private colleges and Universities in offering several different levels of degrees over the Internet, presenting students with broader educational options, as well as flexibility and convenience.

There are many advantages for a student seeking a secondary education to choose an online private college and University degree program. Proximity is a key factor. A student does not need to live locally to an accredited private college or University. Attending all classes and submitting coursework online eliminates the need for commuting or relocating. Earning a degree from an online private college or University is a convenient way to advance your education and training. A school may offer more sections of popular courses, as well as night and weekend courses, which allows a student more flexibility. This is an ideal situation for those who work full time and/or care for a family. Additionally, if you are a student who is considering returning to school after several years, going to school online is a perfect way to ease into the routine of class work and projects again, and can lessen the stress of feeling the need to fit in with younger students. Besides, who wouldn’t find it appealing to attend college from the comforts of home?

If you are worried that you might not be able to afford a degree from an online private college or University program, there are options. Some employers might offer to pay a portion or even all tuition and fees toward an employee receiving a degree. Also, financial aid in the form of grants, loans, and even scholarships might be available to you. Check with the particular online program of interest to see what financial options are available.

The type of degree you can earn through an online private college or University degree program is vast. Aside from earning Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and PhD degrees, professionals can continue their educations and stay up to the minute in their fields. Online learning is no longer just for web designers and computer programmers. You may study Business, Social Sciences, Criminal Justice, Humanities, Mathematics, Human Resources, Fine Arts, and various Healthcare programs. Depending on the type of degree you are seeking (graduate, for example), there may be certain academic requirements that you have to fulfill to be able to attend. Make sure you do your research when trying to decide on an online private college or University.

With the prevalence of the Internet and technologies such as teleconferencing available today, it is possible to come away from the experience of attending and online private college or University not only with a degree, but also being more in tune with technology, which has the potential to broaden your career opportunities even more. Seeking an education through an online private college or University degree program is a legitimate, convenient, and flexible way for you to advance you education, as well as your career and personal potential.

College Books - Tips and Tricks for Saving Money

2009-01-14T01:22:00.000+07:00

College books are getting more and more expensive every year. University course textbooks are one of the biggest expenses of attending college and the average amount of money needed for college books is $800 per year. The cost of college textbooks is also constantly increasing by around 6% per year. Textbooks are essential for most college courses and can often seem impossible to afford however, it is possible for college students to save quite a bit of money on their books by shopping smart.

One of the best ways to save on spending a lot of money on college books is to borrow them instead of purchasing them. University libraries have a good stock of required reading books that students can use on the premises throughout their course and help lessen the impact of not having enough money for actually purchasing college books. Naturally the majority of savvy students have cottoned on to the fact that they too can save money on college books by using the ones stocked by the library so it may be difficult to be able to find the book not in use on a regular basis. If you plan ahead and set aside a few different times of the day and week to visit the library you may find the best options for you to be able to use the college books that you want. Not everyone wants to study late in the evenings, especially at weekends, but if your library is open and you are intent on finding ways to save on spending money for college books then this could be the perfect time.

Another avenue that may work to save spending a lot of money on college books is to approach your course professor. They will often have a huge stock of college books that they have acquired through various means over the years and it is a good idea to see if you can borrow a particular book that they may have. Not only may this help but you be able to find out if certain college books are really required for the course or if you are only going to need a chapter or two from them. With this advance knowledge you can obtain a copy of the book for a short period of time from the library or another student who has bought the book and read the relevant chapters without having to fork out the money for college books that you won’t necessarily need.

College - Good Grade Obsession

2009-01-14T01:21:00.000+07:00

Colleges have been reviewing far too many applications recently that show students are addicted to getting good grades which means they are continuously sacrificing the time to figure out what extra-curricular activities interest them. These students are becoming more and more robotic in a greatly increasing competitive atmosphere. Although a student's academic career is the main focus of the applicants, the problem lies when the college has to figure out what to do when they have too many applicants with a grade point average of 3.8-4.0. There have been several circumstances where the student with the 4.0 does not get into the college and student with the lower grade point average does.

Of course colleges are looking for those students who can do well academically, but they also want their students to come with a certain energy towards innovation. They want their students to be able to contribute creatively and receive some sort of recognition eventually. Basically, colleges need those students who can go beyond expectation. They need the students who have a love in life beyond academics. They need students who can excel outside of the classroom; at sports, volunteer work, dancing, traveling, and the list goes on and on. These students also need to be able to present this in a 4-8 page college application. Now, how do you do this? How does one go about preparing for this task?

It is very important that a student do two things while also maintaining a good grade point average. They must have personal time to themselves to breathe and relax and they also have to commit to something that they love to do outside of the classroom. The students who stay committed to one activity for three years show a much stronger level of commitment and motivation than the student that who participates in twenty activities for a short period of time. However, the students who participate in two or more activities for two or more years show even more potential than those with only one.

When colleges get applications that show various extra-curricular activities with no connection to each other, they question them. Some of these applications will have all different kinds of activities like "one month volunteering at a homeless shelter, three months at a vet hospital, 6 months in dance lessons" etc. Although these applications are full of extra curricular activities, these students show questionable motivation and a lack of commitment. This may simply mean that the student participated in the activities for the sole purpose of filling up that page in the college application. Sometimes these assumptions are clarified in the student's essay but there are times when they are not and this does not look good for the applicant no matter what his or her grades are like.

Students should always keep in mind that colleges want those students who can think critically. They want the student who can pursue an idea, not the one who simply follows the rules and meets criteria. Colleges want the student who can think outside the box.

College Corner, Financial Management

2009-01-12T01:27:00.000+07:00

Every day that passes offers parents the opportunity to share valuable life lessons they have learned with their college-aged student. One of the most important of those lessons is financial management, and the more you talk about it to your students as they enter young adulthood, the more successful they will be during college and throughout their lives.

To help college-bound students manage their budgets, Chase offers resources to guide students on how to manage their finances responsibly from the first day of class to graduation, and beyond.

Financial Management 101

Before they fill their schedules with biology, economics and philosophy, encourage your college-bound students to make room for Financial Management 101, an important life "curriculum," as they go through the school year.

These tips from Chase will help your students get a passing financial grade and may even land them on the financial honor roll:

Create a budget for the school year-and stick to it.
A-List out all your income/ loan disbursements
B-List out all your expenses
C-Make sure A is greater than B.

Check this on a monthly basis to make sure you're on track.

Know your budget and credit limit before you spend.

Keep track of all purchases and plan your use of credit cards.

To avoid late fees and build a positive credit history, always pay all your bills on time.

Learn about and track your credit bureau information and rating. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com for more information.

Learning to handle their own finances can be one of life's most important lessons for your students.

College Bound? 6 Tips For a Pain-Free Move

2009-01-12T01:23:00.000+07:00

Moving away to college, with all of your possessions in tow, is more than just a headache. It also can be a pain in the neck, back and legs.

Constant lifting and carrying heavy items can overwork your muscles and leave your body stressed, fatigued and in pain. W.F. Young Inc., the maker of Absorbine Jr. pain relief products, offers the following tips to help you alleviate the aches and pains of moving.

Pack efficiently. Suitcases not only are heavy and cumbersome, they also pose a storage problem in a small dorm room. Pack clothes in laundry bags or trash bags instead. Laundry bags can be folded and stored and trash bags can be thrown away after they are unpacked.

Use a cart or dolly. Many universities provide carts that students can use to move their possessions into their dorm rooms. The carts are in high demand, however, so there often is a long wait to use one. Purchase a dolly from a home improvement store and avoid the lines.
Lift with care. Before you lift a heavy item, stand with your feet apart and firmly planted on the ground. Bend your knees and use the power of your legs to lift the object.

Take breaks. Don't overextend yourself. Taking frequent water breaks and sitting down for a couple of minutes will help you regroup throughout the day.

Don't do it alone. Take this opportunity to make new friends. Ask your roommate or neighbor for help moving furniture and other heavy items around your room. In turn, ask if he or she needs assistance.

Plan for pain relief. To treat sore muscles, bring along an over-the-counter product such as Absorbine Jr. This pain relief liquid contains botanical extracts and helps relieve aches, strains and minor arthritis pain.

This antiseptic also is great for college students to have on hand for occasional scrapes, cuts and bruises and to treat the itch associated with athlete's foot.

College Interview – What Questions Should You Expect?

2009-01-11T01:31:00.000+07:00

College interviews are another chance for you to tell the admissions officers more about yourself. You will want to take the interview seriously, because it helps paint a better picture of you as a student.

Although it’s not a good idea to over-prepare yourself for a college interview, you should always anticipate certain questions that interviewers are prone to ask. These questions are designed to find out about your interests and passions. Following are some of interviewers’ favorite questions:

"Why do you want to come to this college?"

This question is to gauge how well you know about the school; i.e your level of interest. Some schools track interest and use it as a criteria for admission, so you’d do well to do research on the school you’re applying to. Read up the college’s literature and website, and tie it with your interests. Mix those with some reasons of your own, like the fact that it has a close-knit student community. If you can give some specific examples, the interviewer is likely to be impressed with your research.

"How would you contribute to this community?"

Colleges want givers. They want people who are able to add life to their campus. So make sure you let them know how you are going to do it. Talk about your skills, your experiences and your contributions. A good tip is to tell them how you plan to give back to the community; whether it’s tutoring fellow classmates in a subject you are strong at, chartering a new community chapter in the campus or sharing your ideas with fellow students.

"Which activities are most meaningful to you?"

Like the essay, you would want to mention activities that are your passions. You want the interviewer to know what makes you tick. But unlike the essay, you can discuss your activities at length without word limits. Resist the temptation to brag though. Talk with a natural style, and if you’re passionate about what you do, it’ll show. Talk about specific anecdotes; interviewers like hearing about personal stories. For example, if you are a music enthusiast, you can talk about your first performance and how you nearly fumbled on stage because you were too nervous. Don’t make up stories though.

"What books have you read lately?"

A lot of applicants think that this is a ‘trap’ question that they must give a book that is either intellectual or have good values. It doesn’t have to be. Just talk about a book you did read. Avoid the usual cliché titles that you read in English class though. Sicne part of the purpost is to gauge your initiative and creactivity, it’s better to pcik a book you found rather than the one assigned to you. Don’t lie about the books you read though; if the interviewer happens to be familiar with a particular book you fabricated, you’ll be in trouble.

In the end, the interviewer wants to know more about you, so just be yourself.

College Interview General Preparation

2008-12-30T01:35:00.000+07:00

Lets first think of a college interview, what is it really, why do they even bother to take the time and personally meet each applicant, and what kind of power a good interview has. You have probably conducted your own national college search, and already know your preferences. Colleges have interviews for one simple reason, it works, it works for them – some data shows them that the applicants they personally meet and talk with, on average, succeed in their programs and have been succeeding in their program for some time now. So they know it works. But what is “it”? the college interview is the “it”, and it is no different than a job interview.

The college interview was not thought of as a mean to intimidate potential students, to keep them away, to embarrass and humiliate the next graduates of this college, it is meant for one simple, and very important, reason – to meet and evaluate the motivation and potential of the young person applying to the college. And that’s all it is. There is nothing personal or evil in it, other from the fact these people want to know what you are made of and how serious you are. You need to think of it as a part of your campus tour.

So a college interview is basically like a thoughtful conversation with someone you never met before and that wants to know who you really are, what you went through in your life and where you are heading. But when talking to a stranger about this you can allow yourself to be casual and say some things that you can not say in a college interview, you have to think of how you want to present yourself, and how not to get dragged to the pleasing “tell me what I want to hear” mode.

Preparation will get you a long way, it is the absolute key in getting through the college interview successfully. There is no such thing as over preparing for this, and in fact, if you do this the proper way, you will need to tell yourself at a certain moment that its time to stop preparing.
Let’s go over some of the points in the preparation procedure, things you will want to look into while getting ready for your college interview.

Try and know who your contact is – a simple thing, try and get the name (or names of the persons) that will be conducting the interview, when you will start the interview you will have a nicer way to present yourself and greet the interviewers than most applicants do. It will also show that you prepared in advance and that you are serious about getting this position, this will set you off in the right tracks. When you do your initial national college search, you can also look for the contacts interviewing applicants. No potential harm here. Only good can come out of this one.

Research - can I stress this enough? College interview success – research, research and more research. Lets ask ourselves one basic questions, if someone wants to get into his favorite spot team (any position) will he (or she) not know the names of past hero’s? The teams greatest moments? Its accomplishments? Or course the candidate will know. And you need to show that you are the same, your motivation and enthusiasm to get in to this program will shine when you provide enough evidence to prove you know everything there is to know about the place itself. Ways to get information, research the college web site, search engines for other information, people name search will give you some knowledge about the teachers and their accomplishments, any publications of the college itself are also good. If you are reading this while doing your national college search, you can enjoy the opportunity to add something to your list. Even the ordinary campus tour can give you a chance of finding a little more about the place.

In researching the college you can study materials of the college. College’s course book online, find interesting questions regarding the courses. Some students seem to think that asking questions at the interview might seem presumptuous, but in fact it makes you seem interested and sophisticated. Here are some questions you might consider asking The programs you might be interested in majoring in, construction on the campus and new facilities, financial aid, How the school treats AP tests, how they compare this college with national colleges, the campus tour, school advising, ask interviewers about their opinion of the school, what they like best, and why the courses are better than in other places (no example or names, just say other places).

Your answers – take a look at our “college interview questions” section to familiarize yourself with the potential questions you may face, and practice with family member or friend, keep answers short and sweet, know what you are saying and do not get too personal. Talk slowly, and think about each question before you answer, even if you have been practicing for this particular question for the past two months. Never cut someone when they are talking, not even if you are extremely excited about your answer.

Promoting yourself – think about a few strong points you got, and that you want the interviewer to remember about you, no need to mention these in every answer, but three or four times (with reference – “as I already told you, I think I am very good at managing people… that’s why I took the school paper publishing project”). If you have a problem identifying traits you want to promote – read your resume or application form again carefully and mark the points you think are worth focusing on. You can also try and add some humor to the interview, say something about the campus tour, and your impression of the college.

College Life: Secrets to Getting By

2008-12-29T01:36:00.000+07:00

When you first begin college, life can be difficult at times so it is vital to have some "university student survival tips" to ensure that you enjoy college life or at the very least, survive it. Obviously, money is going to play an important role in your survival and you need to make sure that you save enough to pay for the essentials before spending it all on enjoying college life.

Most students live in shared accommodation for part of their college life. This can be the first time that many students have had to share their living space with non-family members and how you deal with this can really be the difference between an enjoyable or a hellish college life. The most important point to remember is that you need to develop some boundaries with your roomies. Everyone needs to have their own space and this is a guaranteed way to ensure that you survive college life. If you ensure that you have some time to yourself to catch up on your studies it will mean that you are free to enjoy the more pleasurable sides to college life without resenting the people that you live with. Of course everyone has their own standards but as long as you make sure that you clear up after yourself then it will make college life easier although you cannot change those around you.

College life means that you will meet lots of new people but don’t let this affect your relationships with family and friends back home. You may be away at college for a number of years but remember that you had a life before college life and you will have one afterwards too. Keeping in touch with people outside of college also helps you to have a support network if college life becomes too much at times.

There are no hard and fast rules to settling in to college life but you do need to give it a chance. If you enter into it with a negative outlook and rush back home every chance you get then you will find it harder adjusting to college life. It is also true that some of the best parts of college life happen at weekends so you don’t want to miss out on these opportunities.

College life can be so exciting that you may forget the important things like getting enough sleep. You are going to want to go out and enjoy yourself but it is important that you do catch up on your rest at regular intervals so that you can concentrate on your studies occasionally!

College Ranking: Tips for Finding the Best Schools

2008-12-28T01:38:00.000+07:00

The official university ranking list that is published every year lists the top colleges in the country, however these lists don't go over many important issues to a student. Luckily there are several college ranking guides that are published by actual college students. The most accurate form of ranking colleges places a high importance on student happiness. College students grade their university based on a number of different factors, not just academic qualifications. This type of college ranking process reflects the opinions of current students and recent graduates and is not influenced by the institutions. If you search the internet you will find sites where students have given a college ranking based on criteria such as:

* Parking
* Safety and Security
* Academics
* Athletics
* Campus Dining
* Campus Housing
* Transportation
* Weather
* Campus Strictness
* Computers
* Diversity
* Drug Scene
* Off-Campus Dining
* Off-Campus Housing
* Facilities
* Girls
* Greek Life
* Guys
* Local Atmosphere
* Nightlife

These different aspects of college life all have varying levels of importance for a prospective student and the college ranking for one area may not be of interest but having them broken down into the individual categories allows a student to investigate the college ranking that is of interest to them and not just an overall ranking.

For example, a student without a car will not be interested in the college ranking for available parking facilities but would be keen to find out about the transportation available in the college area. An art student may not be concerned that their first-choice college does not have high speed internet access in the dorm rooms but a computer major would class this as essential.
Female students are more likely to be concerned about a college ranking for security on campus and be especially interested in the levels of campus police but may not be bothered if the school has a low college ranking for the football coaching.

Apart from visiting some of the college ranking websites and reading surveys conducted amongst students it is also useful to attend the colleges that you are considering before making a decision. This will enable you to confirm, or refute the claims made by the college ranking yourself and also offer you the chance to see if the college actually feels right for you before you accept a place.

Education Savings Plans

2008-12-10T02:59:00.000+07:00

The third biggest financial goal for a family is saving for a college education. Buying a house and retirement are the first two goals. With the cost of higher education on the rise, parents are beginning to try and set aside money for education as soon as a child is born. There are two popular federal and state sponsored plans that make saving for college easy: the Coverdell and the 529 plan.

The Coverdell Education Savings Account

The Coverdell is a federally sponsored plan that helps you to set aside money for higher education expenses. These expenses include tuition, fees, books and supplies, and even room and board.

The annual contributions are not tax deductible, making the withdrawals tax-free as long as they are used to pay for eligible education costs. There are limits to the amount of annual contributions that can be made each year.

The Coverdell is established as a custodial account, set up by the parent or another adult to pay for the education expenses of a designated beneficiary. The child must be under the age of 18 to establish an account. All balances must be spent within 30 days of the child's 30th birthday.

Any financial institution that handles IRAs can assist you in setting up a Coverdell, including banks, investment companies and brokerages. The Coverdell is like an IRA in that it is an account. You can put your account funds into any investment you want - stocks, bonds, mutual funds and certificates of deposit are just a few options.

You can establish as many Coverdell accounts as you want to for a child. For example, you could have one account at your local bank and one at a brokerage. Some plans have many fees associated with them. Make sure that the management fees for the multiple accounts don't cancel out your overall return.

If your child decides not to go to college, he or she will lose a great deal of money. When he turns 30, he must withdraw the balance of the account within 30 days. Any money withdrawn that isn't used for educationally eligible expenses is taxed and charged a 10 % IRS penalty.

If your child decides not to go to college, that doesn't mean that his or her child won't. The child can roll the full balance into another Coverdell plan for another family member, including siblings, nieces and nephews and sons and daughters.

529 College Savings Plans

These state sponsored 529 plans are named after the federal tax code section that provides for their use. All 50 states and the District of Columbia offer 529 plans. The contributions to the plan are not tax deductible, but your withdrawals are tax-free when you use the money for a qualified educational expense.

529 plans fall under two categories: prepaid tuition and savings/investment plans.

The prepaid tuition plan allows you to purchase units of tuition for any state college or university under today's price. You are buying a semester of attendance for a child. What you buy today will be good for any future date, no matter how tuition rates rise. With private and out-of-state colleges, the child's prepaid tuition does not include the rise in tuition costs. For example, if you buy two years of college tuition for an out-of-state tuition, you may only receive a single semester in ten years.

Either the beneficiary or the contributor must reside in the state that the 529 is formed in.

With savings plans, an account is opened and investments are chosen within the account. If you start the plan when a child is young, you can choose some aggressive investments for long term growth. As the child ages, you can move your investments into more conservative options.

The withdrawals are tax-free if they are used to pay for college expenses. These expenses can include tuition, books and room and board. An easy way to think about a 529 savings plan is as a 401(k) dedicated to educational expenses. As with a 401(k), there are many different investment choices. Many states programs are open to nonresidents, so look around for the best plans.

If your child decides not to go to college you have three options. You can hang on to the savings plan in case your child decides to attend college at a later date. The account can be transferred to another family member for college expenses. You could also cash out the account and just take the loss. Most states will charge a penalty of 10% of the earnings for any withdrawal not used for education. On top of this, a federal penalty of 10% will be charged also. There is no penalty for withdrawals due to death or disabled status.

The tax-free advantages of a college savings plan makes 529 plans beneficial, but they aren't right for everyone. If you have a 529 prepaid tuition plan, applying for financial aid is affected by reducing your financial aid on a dollar per dollar basis. Low income families, who are often eligible for large amounts of financial aid, are advised not to participate in 529 plans.

Coverdell plans will also decrease the amount of financial aid available, but only by about 5 to 6% of the account's value. College savings plans are great for families that will not qualify for financial aid or only qualify for loans. Many times a family doesn't have enough money to pay for college, but has too much money to get help.

The tax-free status on 529 plans will end in 2010, but many advisors expect that Congress will extend it.

DeVry University: an honest review

2008-11-27T02:15:00.000+07:00

DeVry University has its roots from way back in 1931 as a film and radio repair teaching establishment. Today it is amongst the largest schools run for profit in the United States. The University as a company also finds mention in the ‘100 best Corporate Citizen’ list ranked at number 11. Through the years, over a quarter of a million students have graduated from the University. Its total number of enrolments according some estimates is around 50,000, which is a tad lower than that of Phoenix University.

DeVry University boasts of 70 odd locations from where students can take classes. Students can also take online classes. The most important attribute of the University is the range of programs offered. There is something for every body - full time, part time, night study or weekend classes or pure online classes. By offering both online and brick and mortar classes at a variety of locations, students find they are able to find the combination that best suits their needs.

The university is fully accredited and offers various courses in areas of Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications and Business Administration at both undergraduate as well as graduate levels. This differentiates the school from some of the other online universities, like Capella, that have repeatedly failed to receive accreditation for its programs. Of particular note, is the business school, which has a strong focus on business management. Management education is imparted via, the Keller Graduate School of Management and as such is quite focused and current in its curriculum.

Another good thing about the university is the ‘part-time job services’, which offers to find part time jobs for students wanting to earn while they learn. Students can earn from $6.5 to $10 per hour at entry level. But students have often been seen to be complaining about the frequency with which the job postings are updated. Even the limitations of the job board, however, are a stark improvement over some of its online competitors which do not even offer the service at all.

Online education is imparted in collaboration with CertifyOnline, which provides DeVry with the reference materials, tests and online labs. This enables availability of courses and reference materials in synchronous format with live instructions as well as in archived video media. The class sizes are small and offer personalized attention. That said, many students find that the formulated testing and teaching limits not only the creativity of their professors, but also the ability for them, as students, to learn at a higher level.

The overall quality of education is considered to be quite good by both current students and federal regulators. However, unlike less rigorous competitors, the quality of the education comes at a price. The school is quick to place students on probation, should the student’s grades fall even a little. Such a strict discipline is perhaps good when you look at the future employability of the student. Tie this with the figure of 90 % of the university graduates (who actively pursued employment or were already employed when they graduated) finding jobs in their referred field within 6 months. While certainly there is some room for the University to have fiddled with the figures, this number is nonetheless quite impressive. It is important to note, however, that in light of this statistic the University qualifies their 90% claim by omitting some students who were never employed before or during their education at the university, and are finding it a difficult job to get employed. Some students argue that this is because, despite the quality of education, the reputation of the school remains sub-par amongst employers.

The universities price tag and associated fees are on par with its other online competitors, but it is important to note that this does not always mean a bargain compared to other public brick-and-mortar universities.

One of the major deficiencies of DeVry University appears to be its administrative department. Students frequently claim to have difficulty in dealing with the financial aid department as well as with the other student services departments.

Many students express some serious displeasure with the marketability of their Devry degree. They are finding that despite the quality of education and rigor of the university, that some employers do not yet regard the school as equivalent to a more traditional four year brick-and-mortar school. Another cadre of students report, however, that they have found the benefits of having the degree a very tangible benefit. Other than this deficiency, however, it appears that in the actual business of teaching and learning, DeVry surpasses its online competitors. The question facing incoming students, is however, what is the ultimate purpose of that college degree.

Online Education VS. Traditional Education

2008-11-24T02:21:00.001+07:00

These days, the internet has grown into a veritable wealth of information for college seekers. Everything from applying for financial aid to taking a course can be accomplished online. Now, a student can even obtain online degrees from one of many schools offering online education as a viable alternative to a traditional classroom education. How different are these two methods of teaching, and do either prove better for the student? There’s an abundance of information regarding online education, and distance education is becoming increasingly popular for students everywhere.

First and foremost, there are some obvious benefits in obtaining online instant degrees. For example, juggling a job, school and a home can be very difficult as far as commuting to the classroom every day.

With online education, you eliminate the need to attend classes, and instead access your coursework from an internet website. This presents an obvious benefit to the overworked college student because his commute is basically slashed in half. What’s more, many distance education programs allow students to complete the coursework any time during the day, while still adhering to overall deadlines. This allows for flexibility that a traditional classroom setting can ordinarily not provide.

However, is an online education truly comparable to the type of education a student would receive in an actual classroom? Many professionals in the field say yes, and certainly students seeking online degrees can confirm this response. Not only does online learning provide a stimulating environment for students, but it promotes even interaction among every student because everyone has a say in classroom discussions. What’s more, online education programs allow each student to learn with the methods that work best for them. Plus, many employers respect online degrees as much as a traditional college degree, so there’s really no difference in the amount of education or respect a student will receive when attending an online college.

While traditional colleges will never be eliminated, there’s definitely been an increase in the amount of students attending online colleges in recent years. Many people choose to follow the online education route for the diversity of material they can find, or because the teachers are more approachable via the internet than they would be in a classroom setting. Students definitely need discipline and self-motivation to succeed in obtaining online degrees, but there’s still the same level of help and support from teachers and students online that there would be in a classroom. What’s more, internet college students are learning skills that will be beneficial to them in the workforce and beyond because of the way technology is evolving today.

Online degrees are becoming an increasingly popular way to obtain a college education and many students are turning to online education because of the quality of material, convenience and the level of flexibility inherent in distance education programs. Because there’s no distinct differences between an online education and a traditional education, students are assured they are receiving the same kind of education that they would in a brick and mortar setting. There are definite benefits to online degree programs, and students with discipline and motivation can and will succeed greatly in online education programs.

Colleges: Traditional vs. Unconventional

2008-11-23T02:20:00.000+07:00

Did you know that the word "college", as in one definition supplied by Webster's Ninth New Collegiate dictionary, is "a group of persons considered by law to be a unit."

That's easy enough to take in. I doubt that anyone would find much disagreement with that statement. However, there are differences in colleges -- often very pronounced differences -- in curriculum, based on traditional approaches to learning vs. more unconventional, or unstructured styles.

Ever since the times of the philosopher and educator, Rousseau, questioned the theory that education is not the imparting of knowledge but the drawing out of what is already in the student,
there have been both types of higher institutions of learning.

While a number of educational theorists have stressed the benefits of an unstructured or "open" educational environment, others assert that a highly structured learning experience is most likely to produce better educational success.

So, the question becomes, can student interest alone supply a structure for higher education, or must it be imposed by an educator?

Welcome to the debate that continues today, and, if current trends are any indication, they will continue. The good thing is that this is not an official "argument" among educators by any means; there are simply differently recognized ways of learning while also enjoying the college social environment.

Some research has suggested that students learn more if they are actively engaged with the material they are studying. This self-paced kind of curriculum conconsists of website learning, independent study, and mock "on-the-job" scenarios, which include students actively participating in the given material.

By contrast, much can be said of the traditional side of higher learning, in which students, though always encouraged to participate in classroom discussions or events, are largely listening, absorbing, and taking notes on what the instructor is teaching.

The styles are so widely varied, even in subcategories of each module, because educators have learned this for certain: To help college students learn, they must be prepared to offer courses that are more "personality-driven" than the old one-room-schoolhouse plan. In effect, teachers and professors are also engaged in learning -- learning more about how to best teach and prepare programs of study for individual students; a relatively fresh approach that considers not only SAT scores and entrance exams, but personality tests administered prior to entry.

The world of education, even on the higher learning level, is indeed changing, and if administrators want to bump up the dropout rate, they realize they must structure this "group of persons considered by law to be a unit" into a plethora of opportunities for learning.

And the great thing about this ongoing process is that students are far more involved in the "style" of education they receive; it has become a world of "student centered learning," as opposed to "teacher-centered."

In either case, you can certainly rest assured there will always be a need for teachers -- those who have studied extremely hard to then take upon themselves a position of great virtue, courage, and hard work.

College Years: how to make them unforgettable

2008-11-23T02:07:00.000+07:00

Now that high school is over and you have freedom to choose among different careers, probably for the first time in your life you are to make the most serious choice you’ve ever faced. You go back and revise your childish dreams in your memory and try to find out where your heart truly lies. And when you do, the most exciting years of your life begin and you become a college student.

College is no place to play games and fool around. You are now to think about your future and what’s to become of you. First year students or just freshmen come to their first class with serious facial expressions, already thinking about a day when they get out into the open on their own, with serious educational background and some lessons of life they’ve had during their studies. But on the other hand college is perfect environment to have fun and socialize.

The atmosphere gives excellent opportunities to make new useful and interesting acquaintances and have fun doing various sports, cultural and social events. The more time you dedicate to university life the more popular you become among college elite.

Sophomore year is not less interesting than the freshmen year. Once you’ve got used to the ways in the university, know the procedure, have friends and hobbies and know how to have fun you feel perfectly well and ready to continue to do fun things you did before. Some of the fellows seem to forget about studies, but the system is serious and stable. In the dictionary of the dean there are no words "sorry" or "just a few more days".

The result comes real quick and in a day you are kicked out with unsatisfactory progress and a stamp of a looser for the rest of your days. Junior year is as much fun as it is serious. Being old and mature enough, we realize which direction to work in, to achieve everything that you’ve planned. Serious relations may start and distract your attention but studies are the only thing you’re focused on. Your college term paper fly to you in your dreams and when you hear sarcastic “unsatisfactory” you wake up all nervous and have insomnia till the rest of the week. How unwise. If you work hard enough, you’ll be duly awarded at the end of your studies. Senior year is the best one, time that you will never forget. This is time to relax for those who were wise enough to keep up with studies and time to focus for those who lost their heads among various chances to spend their time otherwise. Most probably they will turn to college term papers to fill in the gaps of their studies.

But when the last efforts are made and all the exams are left behind, you feel relief and burning desire to get started to whatever you were prepared for. And after it is all over and look behind your shoulder you ask yourself: is it gone, or has it just begun? Nothing can be changed in the past but there is a nice chance to start your life again, from the blank page to write a good history about a man/woman, who reached success and achieved acclaim.

College Scholarship Myths You Need To Know

2008-11-18T01:41:00.000+07:00

There are several types of scholarship grants out there. And the best part is you can get it everywhere. You can get it from your school academic office, colleges and universities, local government, corporations, institutions, and the internet. But the bad thing is, in spite the availability of these scholarships, applicants seem to be discourage for certain reasons. Here are the common myths you need to know before getting discourage on applying for a college scholarship:

Scholarships are for highly intellectual students only.

Most students are discouraged with the idea that all scholarship grants are reserved for ‘A’ students. This is 100% untrue. Although many scholarships offered everywhere have something to do with considering the academics performance of students, there are several factors that are also taken into great account. For this matter, scholarship grants can also be available for ‘B’ and ‘C’ students.

Many scholarships also have something to do with any field outside the norms of academic performance and grades. For example, there are scholarships for athletes, artists, performers, and so on. There are some scholarships that consider the weight of the applicants’ involvement in community development. The thing is you don’t have to be an Einstein to win a scholarship.

Scholarships are only for the underprivileged

While there are many institutions that provide scholarships for the underprivileged, other scholarships do not fall on this condition. Many scholarships are granted for middle class or even for those who can afford. It is true that most scholarships are based on the need; there are some that aren’t. As a matter of fact, there are many scholarships that are based on the merits. This means that an applicant is not measured based on the financial capability but on academic proficiency and extracurricular activities.

Scholarships involve money right at the application process

Yes, there are groups or institutions that will do all the work for you. They will find the most suitable scholarship for your need and they will process your scholarship application. Be warned that these might be scams. They do not intent to give you the scholarship you need but the money you earned. If you come across this, never give any payment.

You cannot apply for several types of scholarships

The fact is you can always apply for several types of scholarships you think you are qualified into. Just make sure you give attention on the requirements and you are on the way in getting to a school you always dream of.

Comparing Online Nursing Master’s Programs

2008-11-12T02:22:00.000+07:00

When comparing online nursing master’s programs, be prepared to find many programs of interest. It is important to know what one is looking for when trying to find a program that is the best choice. Knowing which area of nursing one would like to go into is probably the best way to determine which program to enroll in. There are many areas of nursing that a person will find interesting. From home health care programs to nursing administration and nursing education, one will be able to go into an area that is interesting and intellectually challenging.

Make a list of all the schools that are of interest and note which ones offer the programs of interest. Contact all schools to obtain further information. These schools are very helpful and will provide additional information when comparing online nursing master’s programs. The length of the program should be another consideration. Many programs can take up to a year to complete. But there are others that can be completed in less time. It depends on the curriculum and how quickly a person can finish courses. Determining how much time a person can spend on a program will determine which school to choose.

Comparing online nursing master’s programs can take some time, but in the end it is worth it. Finding a program that one is comfortable with will make learning much easier. Contacting the people in charge of the program is the best way to find out everything one needs to know about the program. Also, if possible, contact those who have gone through the program to see what they thought of it. Many times if those people were satisfied, then others will be as well. Other people are usually very willing to talk about their experiences. After researching different programs and gathering as much information as possible, choose a program that offers the kinds of courses one is most interested in taking and is of the right length of time.