Every college student starts as a timid, awkward freshman adjusting to a new scholastic environment. While all first year students enter college with high hopes about their future, they will find, sooner or later, that adjusting to college life may actually be harder than they imagined. This is because when you go to college, your study habits may change– you are now preparing for a future career. You may no longer the happy-go-lucky and carefree student that you used to be in high school. You then have to realize that as a grown up, you will be taking more responsibilities. College life, on the other hand, can also be fun in the sense that you get to be more independent. You can live on your own and decide on what you want to do with your life.
To help you go through the college freshman year, here are some survival tips:
* Make a conscious effort to talk to people. You don’t have to talk to all the people you meet, but at least, work on your communication skills. If you do, you may gain new friends and expand your social network.
* Be responsible. As a responsible college student, you need to take charge of your studies and basic needs. Now that you’re probably living in a college dorm, you have to consider your expenses as well. Don’t just blow your allowance on shopping sprees, clubbing, or splurging on stuff with your college pals. Always keep in mind that any time, you may have to buy some books, pay to get some school projects done, and foot other bills.
* Know when and where to ask for help. This is where school officials, especially the college guidance counselor, come in. When having problems with your studies, you always have the option to either seek group study sessions with your friends or casually seek guidance from professors.
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Several research studies have confirmed that with a college degree, you have higher chances of earning more. The higher pay range for bachelor’s degree holders comes from numerous employment opportunities that they can explore. Though they may also start in rank and file positions, bachelor’s degree holders may easily qualify for promotion. They are considered good candidates for a higher position in the company because of their credentials and the training they had through college education. While high school graduates may earn only an average of $1.2 million based on their entire working life, college degree holders can earn more with about $2.1 million as average working life income. This is based on a study conducted by the US Commerce Department’s Census Bureau. This report clearly shows the huge gap on income probabilities between high school and college graduates.
Other research studies even claim that college degree holders can earn as much as 60% to 70% more than those who only have highschool diplomas. In the field of scientific discoveries and entrepreneurship, the salary level for college graduates is said to be higher. Despite these claims from numerous studies, remember that income level still depends on a number of conditions. This means that not all college graduates can earn as much these figures would suggest. Position, field of expertise, knowledge, and skills should still be take into consideration.
Knowledge is power!
Many employers prefer hiring college graduates simply because of the technical skills and knowledge they have acquired through higher education. In the field of scientific discoveries, information technology, and electronics, college graduates may secure better job positions. The specialized knowledge they’ve gained through college is deemed as a worthy investment, especially for developing new products, systems, and technology for the company they are working for. In this case, their college diploma may also serve as a proof of their competency.
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US colleges generally have three classifications: universities, ivy league institutions, and community colleges. If you are seeking college education but can’t afford to go farther or spend too much on college expenses, then it is best for you to consider enrolling to a community college.
The advantages of going to a community college
Going to a community college has its benefits. These are as follows:
* Lesser expenses
If money is an issue when it comes to pursuing college education, then it shouldn’t be when you go to a community college. You no longer have to bother with transportation or college dorm room costs. Plus, the cost of tuition in a community college is significantly lower compared to universities or ivy league institutions.
* Easier transition from high school life to college life
Community colleges give you the chance to have a smooth transition from laid-back secondary school to the more serious college life. Community college even provides you ideas on how studying in a university is like.
*Open to all
Unlike other universities, it’s easier to get to community college even with a lower GPA. They normally have less restriction when it comes to academic performances.
* Less academic load
Community colleges have lesser students and course offerings than bigger colleges. This may lead to a closer interaction and focus between professors and students.
The disadvantages of going to a community college
Though going to a community college may help you save on cost, you should still consider some things you may miss out on. Here’s a short list of its disadvantages:
* Lack of student diversity
It would be better if you can mingle with students from other cultures when you get to college. This way, you can improve your social skills and further broaden your knowledge based on diverse influences, thoughts, and concepts.
* Limited course programs
Community colleges don’t necessarily have all the courses that incoming college students may want to take up. This is why those who study in community colleges may eventually transfer to more prestigious colleges or bigger universities.
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All students, be they in college or in lower scholastic levels, should face it–they have three prime responsibilities, and those are being a good student, being a good son or daughter to their parents and sibling to their brothers and sisters (or a good wife/husband or mother/father, whichever is the case), and being a good friend to their peers. The first and third responsibilities are a given to many college students – most are able to get good grades in college while still having time to bond with their pals. But when it comes to the “family” part, most college students are ailing.
So, how can you be a good college student and friend while still being a good family man or woman all at the same time? Here are some tips for you to live by:
* Never disregard your course syllabi. The course syllabus outlines the dates of your exams and important project or homework deadlines. Keep each course syllabus handy whenever you plan your schedule. This will help you determine which times should be set aside for school work, then bonding time with family and friends.
* If it is possible, take fewer units at a time. This is especially important for parents who are in college. This way, you will be able to accomplish all your duties at a comfortable pace and you will lessen your burnout tendencies.
* When it comes to choosing whether you would want to spend your free time with your family or with your friends, always choose your family first. Forget about sounding like a sissy when you go out and spend free time with your family. You will always have friends, but your family won’t be there for you forever.
* If it is physically impossible for you to spend time with your family during leisure times because you’re living in a college dorm room that’s miles away from home, still make it a point to keep in touch with them. Thanks to technology, you have the option to contact them via phone, e-mail, or snail mail.
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Now that you’re about to enter college, you’re on the road toward choosing your preferred career. The problem with this, however, is that most incoming college students don’t really know which career they prefer. In other words, many young people nowadays just don’t know what course or major they’re going to take in college. That is why there are some young people who just chose to shy away from it and would rather take on a job after graduating from high school.
But think this way: the chance to get a college education is an investment that is simply too good to pass up. That is why it is most advisable for you to grab the opportunity to go to college. Need help choosing your college course or major? Read through these tips:
* Deciding on your college course is not a matter of genes or of bandwagon, it is a matter of personal choice. Never select a college major just because you felt compelled to do so.
* Analyse your strengths and interests. Check out colleges’ list of courses and majors, and zero in the ones that are in line with your strengths and interests.
* If you still can’t zero in the one specific course or major for you, seek professional help. The good thing about some colleges these days is they now allow you to put first and second course choices in your college application. Once you finish the admissions procedure, the college will rule out to which course they think your credentials fit best.
* Try to attend career orientation seminars. Career orientation seminars feature talks from professionals who were successful in their respective fields. These professionals talk about how they went through the process of choosing for their college course or major of choice, their skill sets and interests, as well as what they do with their profession. Hopefully, you will be able to see yourself in one of them.
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College admissions procedures sure require you to do a lot of writing. The two biggest writing tasks associated with college admissions procedures are the admissions essay and the letter of recommendation. These are crucial because they are not just credentials, they also basically give the college admissions people an idea as to what kind of personality you might have and what your principles or idealisms are.
The only catch with this system is if you, the prospective college student, insists that you’re having grand difficulty stringing words and sentences together and if just the sight of a long paragraph scares you, don’t worry. There are sample college application essays available online you could use as a guide and people to go to for letters of recommendation. Here are some things that you need to consider when you ask people to write letters of recommendation for you.
A quick search on the Internet for sample college application essays will yield rewarding results. These sample essays usually have themes that are most commonly used in college applications. You can use these samples when you make your own personal college application essay. Remember that you should take the time to write a good essay because it can be the deciding factor whether you get accepted or not.
Regarding letters of recommendation, colleges would usually require the applicant to get somebody from their alma mater to write them. How to zero in who makes your letter of recommendation? Here are some tips:
* He or she must not be your relative. But he or she should be somebody whom you have closely worked with in the past, and who surely knows your capacity.
* He or she must be a credible figure in the school, such as a professor, principal, or guidance counselor.
* Out of respect, he or she must be someone who has the time to write a letter of recommendation for you.
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It’s time to move on to college! But before you can even move on to college, you need to go through the college admissions process. One step in the college admissions process involves completing the college admissions essay. Some students find it helpful to look for sample college application essays online to guide them in writing the essay.
The college admissions essay is an instrument employed by college admissions committees to check if you can really make it to college. This is alongside your GPA and your scores in the admissions exam as well as the interview. It is even said that if an applicant wavers in any of the other college admissions requirements, his or her admissions essay will be the best way to still ace through the application process. Thus, as a college hopeful, you should know how to make your admissions essay earn “thumbs up” from the college admissions committee.
Extracurricular activities: A great way to beef up admissions essays
One sure way to beef up your admissions essay is by putting in it your extracurricular activities; meaning, other activities you might have outside of school, such as community or volunteer work. This gives admissions committee members the impression that: (1) you are a concerned citizen of the country and that you’re indeed planning on using your learnings for the common good, and (2) you know more than just books and theories. As a would-be college student, you basically have to create the impression that you are physically and psychologically ready to make the transition from student life to life out there in the real world through your admissions essay.
A word of note, though: choose which extracurricular activities to include in your essay. Here are some tips:
* Select those that exemplify what you’re interested in.
* Zero in on activities where you came up with a significant achievement.
* Choose those activities that highlight your leadership and organising skills.
* Don’t buy the wrong notion that “more is better.” Come to think of it, if you have way too many organisations, how can you focus? It may even show that you lack contentment and are wont to shift courses and overstay in college in the future.
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When you go to college, it usually means that you may have to go to an institution that will warrant you to seek accomodation outside your home and in or near the college premises. There are two kinds of college accomodations: there are on-college and off-college accomodations. On-college accomodations refer to dorm rooms in the college building itself. On the other hand, off-college accomodations basically mean board and lodging in a place that is not exactly within the college premises but is located just nearby.
Speaking of off-college accomodations, these can be fun because you usually don’t have to bother with strict headmasters or headmistresses and curfews. However, the fun sometimes stops there.
Why Off-College Accomodations Are Cool
Aside from the fact that you don’t have to deal with curfews or cranky headmasters, off-college accomodations are often more quiet and peaceful, unless of course you choose one that is in a busy location. With off-college accomodations, you also usually get to have more space for yourself, more quality “alone” time in your own pad, and you get to choose if you want to have a room mate or not. In other words, with off-college accomodations, you get to hold the cards.
Why Off-College Accomodations Can Be a Turn Off
While you definitely have more freedom in off-college accomodations, it can basically be a concession to the idea that freedom entails more responsibility. One major consideration when it comes to off-college accomodations is the expenses. Living in an off-college accomodation naturally costs more because aside from the rent, you also have bills to pay, such as water, electricity, and phone bills, if you have a phone line connected to your dorm. Add to that your costs for transportation, food, and school supplies, which you deal with everyday while you are in college.
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Excited about college? Chances are, one of the first few things that you ought to take care of are details of your board and lodging when you go to college; in other words, you have to look for a college dorm. When looking for a college dorm, there are some things that need to be taken into consideration, especially because the college dorm is where you expect to live in all throughout your college days. To be able to make the most out of your college days by NOT spending that much time worrying and complaining about the quality of life in your dorm, here are some tips to guide you.
* Look for a college dorm way before your classes start. It will be best to ask for referrals from people in the college area whom you know. You may also browse broadsheet, magazine, or Internet ads for recommendations.
* Always make sure you follow the essentials in looking for a college dorm room. The essentials are:
> The ocular inspection – Check on the place first. You will be living in that place for your most of your college life. Of course, you would like to have a place that’s comfortable and conducive enough for its purpose.
> The expenses involved – There is the monthly rent, as well as the bills. But make sure you read all the details, especially the fine print.
> Accessibility of the dorm to strategic places in the neighborhood such as the hospital, the public market, the plaza, and the college, of course. Check out what modes of transportation are available, too.
* Early on, be sure you know what things are permitted in your college dorm. Oftentimes, the necessities such as a few cabinets or drawers, tables, chairs, and beddings may be enough. Some college dorms also don’t permit you to bring your own cooking equipment due to fire safety reasons. Check also if you can bring with you electronic equipment such as laptop or desktop computers, desk lamps, and battery chargers. Check also the places where you can do your laundry and put the garbage.
* Check on even the tiniest security details. Even improper lighting in college dorm hallways can serve as an attraction for criminals who lounge around at night. Make sure that security is available at the dorm 24/7.
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A lot of students all over the world prefer colleges in the United States because they think that the colleges here are the best globally in terms of quality of instruction and the equipment. Just think Harvard University, the various state universities, and more. Even the NASA Academy, the academic institution for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is really resplendent of the innovation and quality instruction that defines American education.
However, US colleges are prone to incidences of violence. Some of the reported crime occurences in US colleges are as follows:
* Shooting, which has killed quite a large number of students and school employees already
* Smuggling of firearms inside college buildings
* Aggravated assault
* Rape
Safety Measures Employed in US Colleges
The most common ruled out cause of criminal incidences in US colleges is security. It’s either that the college has a lack of it, or there are simply loopholes in the school security system that allow crime elements to permeate through. That is why many US colleges are now stepping up their campaigns to ensure stricter security in academic institutions. Some innovations introduced are as follows:
* The use of scanners in school entrances. This aims to reduce crimes that are attributed to human error in security.
* Stricter patrolling of school guards. This has been effective in crowd control during school gatherings or student riots.
* A public announcement system, which allows the faster dissemination of information in a school via an intercom.
The only glitch that has been ruled out by both students and parents in the heightened safety measures in US colleges is that they may result in a breach of the privacy of every student. But school experts and government officials alike agree that everybody must take into consideration that risks can only be halted if everyone in the school cooperates in these safety measures.
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