Life after college can be a scary. You’ve left the safety of your dorm room and the reliability of your cafeteria’s meal plan for rent payments and grocery bills.  It can make you feel like you’re all alone out there in a big world, but are you?

With the economy being so rough lately, many college grads are choosing to live at home with their parents for the first year out of college. With thousands in student loans piled up and jobs becoming harder and harder to find, recent grads are taking advantage of every option to help them save money, and living with parents can provide a much needed breather and gives the grad time to arrange job interviews and build some savings before moving out on their own.

For those  that want to save money but moving back in with mom and dad isn’t desirable, moving into an apartment with friends is an excellent option. While you still have to pay rent, the amount is significantly reduced from what a person would pay renting an apartment on their own, and a full feeling of independence is maintained.  The only disadvantage to living with friends is the potential distractions it could cause.  Even though there is no more homework, or classes to go to, being late to, or missing work could result in losing the job, which is not preferable on any occasion.

Other graduates choose to proceed immediately to graduate school. This is fine, just don’t look at this as a way to delay getting a job.  Instead consider taking classes part time while using the bachelor’s degree to obtain a job which will give both experience and a financial foundation.  Some jobs will even offer to pay for graduate classes, an option that should not be passed up.

When it comes to finding a job there is no shame in working a retail or service position while looking for a job in your field.  Many grads refuse to take these jobs out of pride, but, as long as it isn’t the long term plan it can help get a jump start on college loan payments and provide a way to save money to put towards a future apartment or other goals.

Finally, students shouldn’t wait until after college to start building credit.  The best option is to apply for a credit card while still in school and use it to purchase and pay off minor things like gas and groceries.  However, the amount spent on a card should never be more than can be paid off each month.  Interest percentages can be quite high and you’ll end up paying twice as much for that new laptop or iPod.

All-nighters can seem like a logical solution to homework for a college student,  but in reality no sleep is a nightmare.  All-nighters are not known for being a period where a student’s best work is produced.  Avoid all-nighters in your college career, by implementing these good (and easy) study habits.

First, attend all your classes for the full period.  Recently it’s become more common for college students to leave class early, staying for only 20-30 minutes of a 90 minute class.  While attending class isn’t always enjoyable, being there and participating ensures that you won’t miss any vital information.

It isn’t always easy, but do your best to avoid too many late nights.Sleeping through the alarm is an easy way to miss your first class. If you can avoid making a habit of this you are a step ahead, it is hard to change this habit and make it a point to get up and go to class every morning.

Students who feel that they don’t have to go to class everyday also come to rely heavily on their classmates. It’s not necessarily a bad thing to get help from a friend, although second hand information can be both hard to read and understand. By sitting through class and taking notes yourself, you can guarantee that you will have at least a basic grasp of the material and can present questions to your professor if needed.

Second, when a professor gives you a deadline for a paper or reading assignment, don’t let it sit on your desk for months. Students who procrastinate end up having to pull all-nighters bringing unneeded stress upon themselves. Instead of letting your work wait till the last minute make a schedule and get it done little by little. The hardest part of tackling schoolwork is getting started, so by working on each small task you bring yourself one step closer to finishing the assignment. To get the work done take a few half hour to one hour study sessions during the week.  You’ll be surprised how much you can get done when you sit and focus.

Third, make sure to keep up with the class reading schedule.  The longer you put it off the more you will have to read at one time, or won’t have time to read at all.  Professors assign reading for a reason, and even if the excerpt is long and dull make sure you have read, and understood at least the main points from the text.  If you are having trouble reading the entire section at one time, try to break it into smaller pieces by reading for a bit, then working on another assignment, and then reading some more.  It might be dull but at least you’ll be done and you’ll be prepared for class.

Finally, if you don’t understand what to study, ask for help! It might be intimidating to ask for help from your professors but they want you to pass the class and will help you in any way they can. The library is another place to get help, although the librarians can’t dowork for you, they can assist you with things like citations, book research and how to use online databases, which are better and more acceptable to use than regular search engines like Google. In addition, take advantage of campus resources like the tutoring center or writing center.  These exist to help you improve your grades or to help you write an A+ paper.

Great study habits won’t come overnight, they will take time to improve and master. The best part is you will always find something new to add to your arsenal of studying habits. If you still need help, ask around, most colleges have a course you can take that will help you prep for the rigors of college and equip you with basic study habits. So, as you go to your next year of college be ready to improve your grades and kick stress away by using study habits that will help you for years to come.

Make the most of your college years; consider getting involved in campus activities or start searching for leadership opportunities on campus. There are plenty of ways to get involved, look into clubs, intramural sports, or even serving on the ASB. Most college campuses have several clubs for you to check out and some even offer a chance to create one yourself.
When evaluating these opportunities here are a few things to remember:

First, when joining a club, don’t expect to become club president immediately, even if the club is currently looking for someone to fill a leadership role, unless you have past experience in this particular club, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the club’s plans and goals, and then pursue a leadership role later on.

ASB is a good way to get involved as a leader in your campus directly; however, it won’t come easily. First you will have to run a campaign against your peers. This shows the student body how much you want to be a leader and how well you’ll do. You can run for positions like Treasurer, Vice President, Communications Chair and President. These positions can be time consuming, so make sure you are able to find a good balance between your duties as a leader and as a student.

While ASB leaders work in front of the whole student body, other leaders work behind the scenes.  These positions are often overlooked or are considered undesirable. Because there aren’t many students vying for these positions, they may be easier to obtain and can work as a stepping stone to a bigger leadership position later on.

If getting up in front of large crowds leaves you shaking in your boots consider one-on-one leadership. Most colleges and universities offer mentoring programs where you are able to help influence young students, and external organizations, like the Boys and Girls Club, can help you get partnered with a student and help him or her find their way on the path to college. Also, if there is a subject you excel at, consider tutoring.  This can help another student that struggles with that subject succeed and receive good grades.

Whatever you choose, do it with a positive attitude and be open to learning new things.  You never know when an amazing opportunity will come your way and having these experiences during college will prepare you for the real world.

Working isn’t ideal for any college students, but for some it’s unavoidable.  With tuition prices rising and aid becoming limited more and more students are having to work their way through their education. This can prove tricky to balance.  For those who are trying to figure out how to balance work and school here are a few helpful tips:

First try not to work more than 25 hours a week. Going to school full time and working part time is enough to burn anyone out, let alone working full time as well.  Schedule your hours so that you’ll have plenty of time left to get your work done without overextending yourself. This will allow you to have both time to finish homework and free time to spend with friends.

Second, make sure that your employer is aware that you are a student and that they are given a copy of your class schedule.  This way they will know not to schedule you to work shifts that may encroach on your class time.

Third, doing your homework at midnight is never a good idea. If your job includes some downtime, don’t be afraid to ask your employer if you can do homework during that time. If they approve, this is an excellent way for you to stay on top of your school work.

Fourth, just as you shouldn’t take on too many work hours, don’t overload yourself with course credits either. The minimum for a student to be considered full time at most colleges (based on a semester system) is 12 credits, with the maximum being 17 credits. Try to make sensible class choices. If you feel like you can’t take more than one challenging class, don’t. It’s better to put it off until you have enough time and attention to devote to the class.

Lastly, some students can get lucky and land a job that is in their field of study. These jobs are fun and sometimes have the possibility of leading not only to a paycheck or course credits. A relevant job could also give you experience that will help you after you graduate.

Work isn’t something to be avoided at all cost, it can prove a good source of income and, if nothing else offers more experience to put on a resume. But, if your job is getting in the way of your focus in the classroom then you should step back and consider if the hours and money are worth sacrificing your grades for.

Chances are that in your college career you will have at least a couple of long, long nights. Nights, where you will be forced to sacrifice sleep to get your 20 page research paper done, or to study for a midterm that is happening the next morning. Most students who procrastinate will eat a lot of sugary snacks and drink energy drinks to get them through the night. I want to warn you though, doing so will get you nowhere. When the effects run out you’ll end up crashing, and more than likely you’ll be left with mediocre work as a result.

Instead of procrastinating (which leads to all-nighters), try making a schedule for yourself, planning out everything you need to do. When making your schedule put the items that are the most important first, because chances are you won’t be able to study everything. For instance, if you haven’t read for your class all semester don’t expect to finish all the reading, instead, if that is an important task, go through the main points making sure you fully understand them for the upcoming test, then if you have more time you can expand upon those points.

Avoid caffeine and sugary snacks. They have a reputation for giving the user energy, but in reality they will help you fall asleep quicker, which won’t help you get through an all-nighter. Instead drink plenty of water and eat protein rich snacks like nuts, eggs and cheese. These will keep you awake and going.

If you live in a dorm you will consistently be presented with distractions. Try to limit these by letting your friends know you are studying and keeping the door closed. Also avoid using the internet unless needed. The internet can be a huge distraction and before you know it, hours are gone. An even better place to study, if it is open all-night, is the school library. There you can take advantage of study rooms or study desks that will give you the quiet and solitude you need.

Lastly, remember to take breaks every hour. This will help to clear your mind and refocus on the task at hand. Moreover, if you can avoid pulling an all-nighter do so. Sleep is a college student’s best friend, and if you don’t get enough you will not be able to succeed in the classroom.

For many college students school has just let out or is soon to be let out. This leaves students looking around for something to keep them busy during the summer. 

Let’s face it, even though it is many young person’s dream to lounge around all day, that only leads to boredom.

In this blog post I will describe some options of things you can do to keep yourself productive this summer.  Note: These options may even help you with your career choice.

The first thing that comes to mind to all students is summer jobs. The typical ones that come up are the retail and fast food jobs. The ones that slip our minds are summer youth programs. These programs are for those who want to work with kids, most of the time you can find these types of jobs in your local community centers. Along with the pay you will get to do activities like camping, hiking and many other outdoor activities. The best thing you can get out of working for a summer youth program is investing in kids’ lives and influencing them to be where you are at right now, in college.

If you are looking to get away from your hometown (or home country for that matter) start thinking about study abroad. The best way to go about inquiring about studying abroad is through your school. I know that my school has classes that you can sign up for that do not start until the end of the semester. Although you may get a few homework assignments here and there before the trip it is a worthwhile way to get away from the classroom. Note:  Studying abroad through your school is a cheaper way to go because your school will secure discounts that quite possibly you could not.

Another option is a summer internship.  Internships are great ways to get experience for your future career choice. Many places offer summer internships and all you have to do is research and ask around. If you are in the medical field get in touch with hospitals and doctors’ offices. If you are having a hard time looking for internships that fit your needs, go to www.internshipprograms.com. This website has a wealth of information to help you find an internship in your home state or out of state and opportunities range from interests like programming to film/photography.

Whatever you choose, make sure it is right for you. If you are going to choose to do something this summer, commit to it because it will help you not only in your college years but in whatever career you are headed toward.

My freshman year of college is completed. The year was filled with a lot of ups and downs for me. Times where I thought I wasn’t going to make it, academically and physically. There were many times where I would breakdown because of the stresses of schoolwork mixed in with the chaos of dorm life. My only escape was to retreat back home to recharge before starting a new week.

Amidst all the negative things that have happened this year there were plenty of personal positives.  I was able to live in the dorms and bonded with a great group of guys who were all easy to get along with. As the year progressed I became better friends with the guys and an atmosphere of trust was created, enabling a way to talk about problems and challenges that being a college student brings. Another personal positive note was that even though my grades were not fantastically good, I managed to pass all my classes.

One thing I took advantage of at my school was the leadership opportunities; although I was very nervous to try something new I went all in. I would suggest this to anyone who is willing to get out of their comfort zone and make an impact on your campus. Getting involved in your school allows you to meet new people, have fun while making changes in your college community.

Now with summer starting, I am taking the chance to unwind. Trying hard not to think about homework and going to class. To all those who are finished with school for the summer, I recommend you do the same.

When it gets close to starting up the new semester start mentally preparing yourself to get back into the swing of things. Make goals for yourself that you want to accomplish, whether it be increasing your GPA (if it was not so great last year). Your goal does not have to be academic; it could be social like making a goal to establish a friendship with someone who you don’t think you could be friends with. Whatever you choose make it a positive goal that will ultimately benefit you and those around you.

So for all you college students have a great summer, relax, find some new exciting activities to do and keep checking back in for new posts.

Thanks for reading,

firstgencollegekid

While it may be tempting to look at how you will fund your education before choosing where to get your education, I believe it is best to choose where before thinking about how.  This is because worrying about finances can cause you to aim for less than the best fit for your continued education.

However, once you have identified your top choices, the next step is to learn about scholarship and other funding opportunities.  One of the best sources for information regarding long term planning for funding a college education can be found at http://money.cnn.com/pf/college/.

Some schools are needs blind which means they will choose to accept you without knowing whether you have the resources to pay.  Typically, these schools have many scholarships available and they want a diverse student body.  In other words, they don’t want a student body that is entirely affluent.

Other schools will address costs early on.

Most schools provide financial aid for students who are from low income families.  Some schools encourage students to ask friends and family for financial support.

Grants and scholarships are money you do not have to repay.  Loans are money that you and/or your family will be expected to repay.

 To learn whether you qualify to get federal grants or loans, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (ideally before February 15 the year you intend to start college).  This form will calculate your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC).  It is important to share your FAFSA and EFC with each of the schools that you are considering.  Most schools use this information to assemble your financial aid package.  A financial aid package may include scholarships (academic, sports, music, leadership, early admission, etc.) grants, loans, a work study job and up front or periodic payments.

Scholarships are available directly from schools and also from community organizations such as chambers of commerce, rotaries, clubs and state and national organizations such as businesses, credit unions, professional organizations, etc.

There are also scholarships for descendants of certain families or cultures and members of faith based organizations.

Often the schools you are considering will have information regarding scholarships that are available to prospective and continuing students.

The key to funding your education is to ask and seek.  Ask everyone you know whether they know of scholarship opportunities.  There are many scholarships that go unused year after year simply because no one applies for them.  Plus, there are times when people you ask will choose to contribute directly to your education and some employers (even small employers) offer an ongoing education benefit to their employees and family members.

If you like to travel or are wanting to travel for the first time, you should investigate opportunities to study abroad before choosing a college.

Many college graduates report that studying abroad was one of their most memorable college experiences.  It’s not only a vacation, it can open a new way of life.

Most schools offer a chance to study overseas, but some help provide the language and culture training before you go.

As you review different study abroad options it is important to ask students how well the calendar of college and abroad programs meshed and whether all credits received abroad transferred to the college.  It is also important to look at destinations.  Some colleges advocate for destinations in first world nations, while others advocate for destinations in third world destinations.

Most schools will offer full year, semester long and summer or spring break study abroad options.  Some schools actually make travel experience a requirement of the major. 

Housing arrangements also vary widely from one program to another.  Some programs house you with other international students while some programs house you with a host family so that you will be more fully immersed in the culture and language.

If you are worried about the cost of study abroad, don’t be. Most financial aid offices have scholarship information and grant information for studying abroad. Check out this site for information on the many, many scholarships that are available http://www.studyabroad.com/forum/financial_aid.html

Now, you know what you got to do. Plan, pay and go! Study abroad is unforgettable and you will never regret a minute that you are exploring and having a great time. Have fun wherever you choose to go!

If you are going to play sports while attending university, then you need to choose a school where study and sports can be balanced.

Student-athletes need to be prepared to make sacrifices as they have tighter schedules than those students who don’t choose sports. If you are intending to major in something that is time consuming, be prepared to find that the demands of both sports and study will stack up high. You will be traveling and coaches will demand a lot out of you during practices. However, even though it may seem scary, don’t opt out and take a light load of classes for convenience. One problem that happens in many college teams is “clustering”. This is when a group of student-athletes major in the same thing so as to have a light study load. Surveys show that more than 40% of student-athletes cluster to make more time for sports.  The problem with this is that they’ve chosen to prioritize their sport over their studies and haven’t chosen a field of study that really reflects their individual non-sport interests.

Break the stereotype of the “dumb jock.” The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) has low standards for student-athletes. An article in USA Today showed that athletes only need to complete 40% of their degree course work by the end of their sophomore year, 60% the following year and 80% senior year. However, you don’t have to be one of these statistics. You can push yourself without breaking yourself to the point of giving up.  Communicate with student-athletes at the campuses you are considering and ask them how they balance their sport and study efforts.

If turning pro is your career goal, it is important still to have a backup plan. Less than ten percent of college athletes go on to the NFL, NBA, MLB, etc. I’m not saying you should give up, instead I am saying be realistic so that if things don’t go how you expect them you still will have a degree that can help you attain a job that you will enjoy and that will help you provide for yourself and a family.

Be the first to break out of the mold and set high standards. Don’t be easily swayed by peers to aim low and forget your college studies just so you can focus on the sport. Find a mentor that will keep you accountable to giving your all in the field and the classroom.  Most coaches will support you because they want to see you succeed in both areas. Choose a college where student-athletes have found strategies to excel on and off field.  Then prioritize and do your best and you will get what you want while playing sports in college.