Linear Regression Analysis - 3 Common Causes of Multicollinearity and What Do to About Them

Multicollinearity in regression is one of those issues that strikes fear into the hearts of researchers. You've heard about its dangers in statistics classes, and colleagues and journal reviews question your results because of it.

Multicollinearity is simply redundancy in the information contained in predictor variables. If the redundancy is moderate, it usually only affects the interpretation of regression coefficients. But if it is severe-at or near perfect redundancy, it causes the model to "blow up." (And yes, that's a technical term).

But the reality is that there are only five situations where it commonly occurs. And three of them have very simple solutions. These are:

1. Improper dummy coding.

When you change a categorical variable into dummy variables, you will have one fewer dummy variable than you had categories. That's because the last category is already indicated by having a 0 on all other dummy variables. Including the last category just adds redundant information, resulting in multicollinearity. So always check your dummy coding if it seems you've got a multicollinearity problem.

2. Including a predictor that is computed from other predictors.

For example, I once had a client who was trying to test if larger birds had higher probability of finding a mate. This bird had a special tail, and he wondered if the size of the whole bird or the tail was more helpful to the bird in finding a mate. To compare them, he put three measures of size into the model: Body length, tail length, and total length of bird. Total length was the sum of the first two. The model blew up. Include two, but not all three.

3. Using the same or nearly the same variable twice.

A similar situation occurs when two measures of the same concept are included in a model. Sometimes researchers want to see which predicts an outcome better. For example, does personal income or household income predict stress level better? If they are both just measuring income, combine them into a single income variable using Principal Components Analysis.

And to get to the bottom of detecting and correcting for multicollinearity, I invite you to a free download of a 75-minute training audio when you go to The Analysis Factor website. Visit http://www.analysisfactor.com to get started today.

© 2008 Karen Grace-Martin - Statistical Consultant and founder of The Analysis Factor

Karen Grace-Martin has helped social science researchers practice statistics for 9 years, as a statistical consultant at Cornell University and in her own business. She knows the kinds of resources and support that researchers need to practice statistics confidently, accurately, and efficiently, no matter what their statistical background. To answer your questions, receive advice, and view a list of resources to help you learn and apply appropriate statistics to your data, visit http://www.analysisfactor.com

The Top 4 Things You Won't Miss - If You Do Your Degree Online

Time at university is an important rite of passage, and one that many consider to be 'the most fun years of your life'. Today, however, the temptation to do your degree online seems to get stronger for young people and mature students alike - whether it's for the sake of convenience, saving money, or simply because more subjects become available to study each year. Whilst reflecting on my time at university, there were certainly many great times, but I realised quickly that it wasn't for everybody...and to be honest, it wasn't all tequila slammin' and Monopoly tournaments. Here are four things you probably won't miss.

4. Halls. Yes, the social aspect of halls can be great, but these places are strange. Typically, there will be several students to one kitchen/living area...and that is usually a very small area which can cause some strain amongst comradeship if certain people aren't pulling their weight in regards to washing up etc. Most modern halls are fairly nice aesthetically, unlike the breeze-block monsters of the past, but if they have been lived in for more than a few years it will surely be hard to ignore the wear and tear. The two worst things about halls: 1. It's impossible to make your room homely. 2. There's a warden ...and he loves his authority.

3. Shared Housing. Surprisingly, shared housing has its own drawbacks. Firstly, it is far more likely that you'll have a nightmare landlord, and you may soon realise that your excellent rent deal might not be so excellent. For instance, electricity key metres are the most infuriating thing when you live in a house with several other people. Some housemates will pay at the right time, others won't...and there is nothing worse than waking up on a dark winter's morn in a house with no electricity. Actually there is, just think about how fun an electric shower can be when your metre's continually running on empty.

2. Transport. Transport problems certainly don't affect everybody (especially not if you're lucky enough to have your own car), but in certain areas they can be a nightmare. In my first year we had little reason to complain because bus travel was free for students. But by the second year, and with an increased influx of students, being packed into a First Great Western like a sardine whilst trying to finish your recommended reading is incredibly frustrating. But not as frustrating as not being picked up at all, which was also a regular occurrence.

1. Morning Lectures. I know what you're thinking, laziness, and yes you'd be right. But the fact of the matter is student life and being expected to be on top learning form at nine o'clock the next morning just doesn't make sense, especially after spending all night trying to make your room homely, then waking up in an electricity-less house, and then being left at the bus stop for an hour. Frankly, the option of being able to take your lecture at any time via online learning seems like the greatest advancement in higher education in recent years. In fact, I'll be surprised if, in the future, recorded lectures aren't made available for normal students who simply can't be bothered to attend early lectures.

Sarah Maple writes about adult education and education online.

Professors - Using Instructor-Directed Learning Methods - Whole Group Discussions Early in the Term

Students retain information most effectively when discussions are frequent, nonthreatening, lively, and mentally challenging. Leading discussions with all of these qualities is a significant challenge in contemporary classrooms, populated as they are by diverse students with varied experiences. Large classes are probably the major obstacle to orchestrating effective discussions. Some likely culprits that slow down discussions include:

• fear of embarrassment,
• lack of knowledge,
• low self-esteem,
• cultural issues that indicate you should be 'seen and not heard,' and the like
• the desire not to stick out from the crowd

You will want to work toward minimizing some of these concerns so that you have wider participation among those students who in the past may have been reluctant to participate actively in large-group discussions. You can probably relate to those reasons from your own experience, so be sensitive to your students' feelings. To achieve an atmosphere in which classroom discussions achieve their fullest potential, employ the following common sense practices:

• Break the class into groups of no more than five students (sometimes called buzz groups) to discuss a critical question. If you establish this type of grouping right from the beginning of your class, this is a comfortable format for them. You can have them pull chairs together, turn around in their seats (especially for fixed seating arrangements), or gather around their table.
• Decide what the purpose is for the small group. You want students to know what the outcome is supposed to be for their discussion. Often, many members of a class may be tuned out when you are establishing the purpose, so use words and written cues.
• Establish ground rules for discussion groups, such as "value all opinions" and "each member must participate." Many students know how to 'behave' in groups, but a few outspoken and socially inept students can shut down other members of their group in a hurry.
• Before discussion begins, have students introduce themselves to each other and select a spokesperson for reporting their collective conclusions. One of the reasons that I asked students to wear name tags throughout the semester in large classes was to help facilitate the use of names.
• Monitor the discussion within groups to ensure that students understand and follow the ground rules. You are constantly walking around among the different groups so that you know what is happening, where there might be questions, or which groups could use some additional direction.
• Prompt participation from all students by posing nonthreatening, open-ended questions. If you only ask yes-no questions or questions for which there is one and only one answer, some students will be afraid of being wrong. With more open-ended questions, you are likely to get not only more participation, but also the thinking and discussion you are working to elicit.
• Have each group report their findings in an orderly way, encouraging amplification of key points. Depending on the size of the entire class, you can have ALL groups report out, or just select a certain number.
• Summarize the overall activity, by citing appropriate points you heard within groups and asking for illumination from individuals making those points. It's never wise to assume that the students are summarizing for themselves. It's also smart to reinforce the key learning AND the reason that the learning was enhanced because of their discussions.

These strategies will assist you and your students as you get the semester or quarter off to a good start. Later in the term, you can continue to use these practices, however once they are established, it becomes more natural and effective for everyone.

Strategic professors know that using a variety of teaching and learning methods is critical to students' learning and success. Pay attention to the ideas in this article and others available from Meggin McIntosh. In addition, you can learn much more about teaching and reaching the many different types of students who are in today's college classroom by reading the book *Teaching College in an Age of Accountability* (Allyn & Bacon). The book was written by Richard Lyons & Meggin McIntosh (the author of this article).

To learn more ideas that you can use as a faculty member, be sure to check out http://www.TopTenProductivityTips.com and http://www.meggin.com

(c) 2008 by Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D., "The Ph.D. of Productivity"(tm). Through her company, Emphasis on Excellence, Inc., Meggin McIntosh changes what people know, feel, dream, and do. Sound interesting? It is!

Professors - Design an Effective Course Syllabus - The Readings

Regardless of whether you are teaching a course in a semester, a quarter, a summer session or any other configuration, you need to strategically plan the various readings that you will be having the students do. Some thoughts to consider as you're doing this planning include the following:

Textbooks, course packets, on-line readings, etc.

As you think about upcoming courses you'll be teaching and so you are ready when you start to prepare your syllabus, dedicate a shelf, file drawer or milk crate to resources for each course. Once you have this dedicated space, you can drop in the texts you are considering adopting for the course, journals with flagged pertinent articles, a note pad with ideas to include, handbooks, software, etc. Then, as you proceed with your detailed course planning and your individual class sessions, you can use this resource to finalize your planning. Note: It also makes sense to set up a folder in your computer for pertinent materials and websites that you have identified for potential use.

Many colleges or universities expect professors to choose or "adopt" textbooks for their own particular sections of a course, while other institutions embrace a universal adoption for all sections of the same course. However, if you must make a decision about what textbook to use, then go through the process below to help you make a selection.

1. Contact the textbook representatives to tell them the topic of the course for which you need to select a book. Request that examination copies be sent.

2. Once the review copies have arrived, begin to compare and contrast them. In most cases, only the most current books should be considered because of the rapidly expanding knowledge base in most fields.
3. Determine whether the books are in their first edition, or if they are in subsequent editions. Just because a book is in its first edition does not make it less desirable than one that is in its 7^th edition, but it is worth taking this into account as you make your decision. Sometimes the new book from the new author is the most fresh and appropriate for your course; other times, the tried and true book is the superior one for your purposes.
4. Now, begin looking at the various books' tables of contents. How well do the topics seem to match up with what you plan to be teaching? The order doesn't have to be the same, but there needs to be a reasonable correspondence between your topics and the topics in the book.
5. Next, choose one or two particularly difficult concepts that you teach and find the explanations of those concepts in the textbooks you are still considering. Keep going through this process until you are satisfied that the book you are choosing does an excellent job of elucidating key concepts for your students.
6. Depending on your discipline, the textbook you are choosing may also have certain other features that must be evaluated. Remember that you are choosing the book for student use - so appraise all aspects of the book from a student's point of view.
7. Once you have reached a decision, work through the ideas below, which also apply when the book has been pre-chosen for you.

• Review the textbook as thoroughly as possible. Decide which of the chapters or sections you want to use. If you ask students to purchase a particular textbook, plan to use a significant portion of it. In this day of $100+ textbooks, students expect to get their money's worth from their purchases. If they buy a book, then find that the professor is using only a small portion of it, they feel rightfully "gypped." Also, telling students to "just read along in the text for background," without having any specific assignments or expectations related to that reading, is interpreted by students to mean that reading the book is not vital. Your presentation of the book and your expectations tied to it should be clarified at your first class meeting, and is more thoroughly addressed in other articles.
• After determining the parts of the book that you plan to use, begin to match the reading selection with the particular week you will be addressing the content. Decide whether or not you want students to have read the material before they come to class, or whether you want them to read the material after you have introduced the material in class first. Begin adding this information to your syllabus.
• At this point, formulate a strategy for how students will be held accountable for the reading. Myriad possibilities are shared in other articles, but at this juncture start to think about whether a chapter lends itself well to a quiz, to a structured discussion, to a linked activity, etc.

In recent years, many professors have created "course packs," a collection of instructor-developed materials and/or articles from journals and other sources that are more current than the material that is included in the typical textbook. Creating course packs that use materials from a variety of sources involves making selections and securing permission to reproduce the items for students. This can be relatively time consuming, and there are a number of companies who can simplify the process. While course packs might be more expensive or limit the range of choices, they have benefits as well. Whether you have an extensive course pack of readings and learning activities for your students or not, it is highly likely you will have some supplementary materials that you want to use. Begin developing a file of these materials. In the section of your syllabus labeled "Readings," be sure to give all the information that students might need to locate and/or purchase the materials. If you reserve readings in the library (also known as a knowledge center on many campuses), critical information about its policies and procedures should probably be noted. When additional readings are assigned, provide students with a brief rationale, e.g. currency of information, for their inclusion.

Supporting and increasing student learning by carefully, strategically choosing the reading materials is a key decision process for the professor. Use the ideas in this article (and others) to help you make the best choices, regardless of whether you're having students read from textbooks, articles, on-line resources, manuals, newspapers, or any other possible resource.

Many articles about how to support (and check for) reading are available from Meggin. In addition, you can learn much more about teaching and reaching the many different types of students who are in today's college classroom by reading the book *Teaching College in an Age of Accountability* (Allyn & Bacon). The book was written by Richard Lyons & Meggin McIntosh (the author of this article).

To learn more ideas that you can use as a faculty member, be sure to check out http://www.TopTenProductivityTips.com and http://www.meggin.com

(c) 2008 by Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D., "The Ph.D. of Productivity"(tm). Through her company, Emphasis on Excellence, Inc., Meggin McIntosh changes what people know, feel, dream, and do. Sound interesting? It is!

Professors - Students With Special Needs

One of the most drastic changes on college and university campuses in recent years has been the influx of those with physical, mental or psychological limitations who are looking to equip themselves for a more significant role in our society. In the last several years, a steadily increasing number of students with a wide array of challenges are pursuing a college education. As have other "minority groups," students with disabilities (and their families) have become quite politically active and assertive in recent years, expecting the educational community to more fully address their specific needs. Faculty members know that they would do well to accommodate such reasonable requests. (Note: Generally, there is an office of support for students with disabilities on campus. It is wise to see counsel and suggestions from the staff of these offices).

While it is important that we identify and impose high standards for all students in our classes, it is also critical that we seek to understand the backgrounds of each of our students and adopt a degree of flexibility in our interactions with them. The willingness to first understand the special conditions that influence students enables us to treat each as an individual.

Recent state and federal legislation require post secondary institutions to adapt policies that will guarantee full access to educational resources by persons with disabilities. Since these provisions have the backing of the courts, it is imperative that you know if any students in your classes have special needs and what accommodations must be made for them.

There are several ways to determine what special needs students might have. At one of our institutions, all course syllabi must contain some version of the following statement:

Each student who qualifies with a disability is to provide the instructor with a letter from the Disability Resource Center on campus stating the appropriate accommodations for this course. If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss how these academic accommodations will be implemented for this course, please contact the instructor as soon as possible.

If you have not already been notified of the requirement to use such a statement in your course syllabi, it would be prudent to check to find out if there is a required wording for such a statement. Even if there is not a requirement, however, you will want to include such a statement and then to make reasonable accommodations for the students who need them.

Asking the students to talk to you about their challenges during their initial office visit will help you organize learning materials to accommodate their needs. For example, in one of my classes, there were two students with special needs. Lydia was legally blind, with only one eye that allowed her to read magnified text. Although she was quite adept at using the computer, she frequently needed more time to complete assignments (particularly in class examinations) than her classmates because it took her longer to proofread her responses. Lydia used "readers" to help her get through the massive amounts of required reading for the class. Several accommodations were made for Lydia, including:

• Reproducing print materials in 16-point font, which were sent to her as e-mail attachments. Thus, she could enlarge them further if necessary, and was not subject to scrutiny from her peers.
• An extra copy (full size) of all PowerPoint slides used in class was provided to her so that she could review them at home.
• All examinations were produced in 16-point font, and Lydia was allowed to use her laptop with accompanied magnifier to answer the questions. Following consultation with the professor, she was given additional time to complete examinations.
• When Lydia lost one of her readers and could not locate another, Lydia gave me permission to announce her situation to the class. There were several students who volunteered to help.

Natasha was another special needs student. Natasha had a neurological problem that affected her muscles. She could not sit in one position for longer than 15-20 minutes. Her hands would get sore if she tried to take notes for too long. At times, she had massive muscular spasms and she needed to lie down to relieve the pain. Accommodations for Natasha were relatively simple.

• She brought a lounge chair to class that was set up in the back of the room, away from the main traffic flow. She took a seat on an aisle in the class, but after 15-20 minutes, would move to the lounge chair and stretch out. During the 3 hour class sessions, she would rotate between a regular seat, the lounge chair, and standing.
• She brought a tape recorder to class to record the lecture, and other classroom activities, and supplemented these recordings with notes she could take. Other students shared their notes with her.
• Because of her inability to sit for extended periods, Natasha was given additional time to complete in-class examinations. Although she never asked for more time for out of class assignments, it was rather common knowledge that she required longer to complete assignments than did other students, except perhaps for Lydia.

Accommodating these students was not difficult. Fellow students understood the accommodations and volunteered to help any way they could. They were particularly helpful when group presentations were done, and ensured that these two young women had roles that they could accomplish without undue hardship. Both of these students were excellent with verbal communications, and often were central to the presentations with other students providing visual aids and other resources that fostered the learning of all. While some might see the accommodation of these students' needs a hardship for the professor, the paradoxical truth was that it was a rich learning opportunity for the "majority" students.

You are a facilitator of learning--no matter what your discipline is and no matter whether you 'teach' in a lecture hall, lab, seminar room, or classroom. In the vast majority of cases, students with disabilities will work with you to help themselves learn.

You can learn much more about teaching all the different kinds of students who are in today's college classroom by reading the book *Teaching College in an Age of Accountability* (Allyn & Bacon). The book was written by Richard Lyons & Meggin McIntosh (the author of this article).

To learn more ideas that you can use as a faculty member, be sure to check out http://TopTenProductivityTips and access the free resources at http://meggin.com

(c) 2008 by Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D., "The Ph.D. of Productivity"(tm). Through her company, Emphasis on Excellence, Inc., Meggin McIntosh changes what people know, feel, dream, and do. Sound interesting? It is!

College Study Tips on the Proper Ways to Study

Since the first day of school, we are constantly told that in order to succeed we need to study. We'll never pass that important metric conversion test if we don't study our metric conversion calculator, for example. The only problem is we were never really taught the proper way how to study.

From kindergarten all the way to high school, we have bee on our own when it came to studying. The only thing we knew was that if we did not study, we'd probably fail. To help you out further, here are a few steps on the proper way how to study.

The Need to Study

Worried about a big metric conversion test? Then get properly prepared to study the metric table then. This means all of the necessary reading and writing materials should be at your immediate disposal.

The need to study doesn't mean you are in any way less intelligent. It's just the opposite. A college education is important, and more than likely, you will struggle with some of the more difficult classes. Everyone needs to study at some point.

Prepare to Study

Prepare a plan of action for studying. Preparation is necessary. The extra effort put forth on that metric conversion table test will pay off in the end with a passing grade.

I recommend finding a quiet and comfortable place where you can focus. You can easily lose your concentration studying metric conversion with a lot of noise or distractions going on around you. Make sure the television is off, the music is off, and the phone is off. Buy any needed extra reference material on the metric calculator from a book store. Keep your mind on the metric conversion table subject matter and try to avoid distractions.

Take Plenty of Notes

Take plenty of GOOD notes in the classroom. If you have a professor who speaks too quickly for you to take accurate notes, try recording the lecture and replay it when you are able to write the information down. The better and more detailed your notes on the metric table are, the easier your studying for that metric conversion table test will be.

Join a Study Group

The best study groups are the ones which include students taking the material and the course seriously. Remember, you are there to study and not discuss the latest fashion trends or mindless gossip. I recommend taking up a collection to purchase and share the class reference materials on the metric conversion table, for example.

If a group of people focus on the class material, you could pick up information you may have previously missed. You also have the ability to help the others out by providing missing information. It never hurts to hear another student's take on the class materials, either. It may give you a better understanding of the work.

Anne is a math teacher who loves teaching her students all about metric conversion. Recently, her classroom has been covering all there is to know about the metric table and a metric calculator.

Making the Most Out of College

If you are currently attending a college or university you most likely understand the high cost of tuition. The prices of going to college seem to just keep rising over the years. With such high tuition costs it is important to make sure we get the most out of college. We all want to go to college to better ourselves and get a good job in the future. If you are another one suffering for the prices make sure you are getting the most out of college as well. How can we do that? Easily read below and find out how you can start getting the most for your dollars spent on college.

Choosing classes - You want to make sure that once you sign up for a class you stick with it. Don't sign up for a class if you're unsure whether you will like it or not. Dropping classes is one of the worst things you can do in college. Since classes are so expensive you want to make sure you take the right classes. When we drop a class we can loose up to all our money we put into the class.

Do well - If you're serious about a future career you need to be serious about your classes too. You want to make sure you get good grades and pass all your classes exceeding the minimum grade you can get. If you do poorly in the class not only will you most likely end up dropping it but you'll loose a lot of money in the end. Also if you do drop it you will realize you just sat in the class, miserable for nothing.

Be there - When you sign up for a class you find out what days and times you need to be there. Since you know this information, do what it says. Going to class is one of the most important things in college. If you miss just one day you may be missing a pop quiz, a very important lecture or your attendance may go against you. Often in college professors mark you down for attendance and if you have so many they can fail you.

Professor - Be sure you talk with your professor and ask any questions you want. When we pay for our classes we also pay for the professors so take advantage of them! They've learned everything you're learning so ask them questions. Stay after class or ask during class what ever works for you. Your professor is your best source in college so ask away.

Textbook - You pay such a high price for the book so make sure you use it. Your textbook can be just as good as getting information from your professor. Also a book is always something you can refer to so take advantage of it and get your money's worth.

There is a lot you can do in college to make sure you get your money's worth. College is a very expensive thing and is also very important. If you want to get the most out of college be sure you keep the ideas above in mind.

Tom Tessin is an author for http://www.FINDcollegecards.com that is geared toward students looking for their first credit card.

Always Look For a College Internship

What many college students do not understand is the value that is the internship. Not wanting to do more than they have to, college students often try to scrimp by on the bare minimum amount of work. This, unfortunately for the student, will later reflect on the now graduate's resume and eventually in their performance in the first few months to a year of their first real job.

There are many things a college internship can bring to the table for college students. Perhaps the most noticeable is a new outlook on the real world and the experience with real world situations that comes with having an internship. Internships that allow the student more responsibility are the best kind, as the student will quickly learn about business in just about any internship. This is important as the entire world runs on business and finance, regardless of the field. Having this expose to the real world through a college internship will become invaluable as the student looks for employment upon graduation.

In a job interview, possessing this knowledge and experience will reflect very favorably on the applicant/recent graduate. Interviewers and recruiters love applicants who speak with passion, knowledge and confidence in the interview. Having a college internship behind them, the applicant will be able to speak from experience, with adequate knowledge about certain subjects and project confidence that the interviewer is sure to pick up on. Employers grow tired of seeing the same, repetitive resumes and applicants and will delight in finding an applicant who can break from the mold and take a proactive approach to their lives and careers that will surely carry over into their company.

More information on College Works Painting internships for students like you in your area is just a click away.

A Clep Study Guide Can Help You Prepare For Success!

Clep testing is a popular way to receive college credit for your knowledge, life experience, intern training or previous college courses that you have taken. It can be daunting, however, studying for a large exam. It makes sense to take advantage of clep prep help that is available, including online clep study guides.

A clep study guide can provide you with several different kinds of testing help. Some guides features lists of questions that you are likely to find on the clep exam, while others have sample tests that you can take for additional practice.

There are benefits to both types of clep study guide. If you are quite proficient in the subject of the test, then working through some of the test questions in a flashcard-style format might be all the extra help you need. This could be the case if you are bilingual, and preparing for one of the foreign language clep exams.

More clep prep might be needed if you are knowledgeable but less expert in the subject. Working with sample tests could provide the additional help you require. Because the clep testing is timed and you must complete the test in two hours or less depending on the specific exam, you may want to practice with timed exams, so you can pace yourself and ensure that you will have time to complete all of the test questions.

Clep study aids can also help reveal any missing knowledge that you might have. Armed with this information, you can peruse textbooks and reference books on your subject and look up your specific needed areas in the table of contents or the index. Focusing your clep study to where it is most needed will benefit you on test day.

In addition to using a clep study guide, you will also want to keep general test taking strategies in mind in order to succeed on your clep test. It makes sense to study regularly for a period of time before the exam date, rather than trying to cram for it the night before. Also, be sure to get enough rest prior to your test, and have a good breakfast with some protein the morning of your exam. If you are taking a math exam, be sure that your calculator is working properly and that you understand how it functions, so you do not waste any time trying to figure that out during the test.

A good clep study guide, whether hard copy or online version, can provide much of the preparation you need for when you want to succeed at clep testing.

Wayne Hemrick is dedicated to higher education. In this article he writes about the Clep Study Guide

Do College Marketing and Enrollment Services Really Improve a University's Enrollment Numbers?

When many of us graduated from high school 20-25 years ago, universities would send campus reps to area high schools to recruit students. We would hear from student leaders, counselors and admission representatives regarding the many reasons why a particular school was the better choice for obtaining a degree. Times have changed and so have the methods used to entice students to attend certain universities. Many universities are now turning to college marketing and enrollment services to help them meet their enrollment goals.

Why the change? The answer is technology. While a personal testimony from the mouth of a currently enrolled student or alumni may carry some weight, companies who offer college marketing and enrollment services can reach a greater amount of potential students in a much shorter time. Through the use of technology, concentrated marketing and the Internet, these companies can help target specific student demographics and direct traffic to college websites more quickly than ever before. Ultimately, this equates to a savings of both time and money for the university who is seeking to expand its student base.

What kinds of solutions do college marketing and enrollment services offer their clients? Their job is to create marketing strategies that will garner attention from college bound students and parents. These marketing techniques will vary from college to college, depending on what type of student each individual university is attempting to attract. Quality college marketing and enrollment services will tailor their services to meet a school's recruitment budget, and then employ a myriad of methods to promote the university, such as multi-media campaigns that include printed materials like brochures and magazines, interactive CDs/DVDs and online presentations. They may also generate leads by using e-mail marketing campaigns that target a specific clientele, like potential MBA candidates. Search engine marketing, which uses search engine optimization to drive internet users to college websites is a very important tool put in place by most of these services, since most college bound students are extremely computer savvy and do a great portion of their continuing education research via the internet.

Many college marketing and enrollment services work with universities by enhancing the school's website to include interactive features such as blogs, social networking, virtual advisors, student web portals and group chat options. By providing a more complete website, colleges increase the number of serious inquiries for enrollment because potential students are having more fulfilling experiences looking for answers and information online. These types of online marketing campaigns free up valuable resources that would otherwise be spent on printing and postage. It also allows enrollment and recruiting staff the freedom to focus their efforts on areas such as highly specialized recruiting that may need to be more personal in nature.

Follow-up service is a crucial part of any campaign that college marketing and enrollment services should offer. Without lead management, reporting and web diagnostics, the marketing campaign would be incomplete and a waste of valuable resources. Universities need to be able to track results to determine which aspects of the campaign work and which parts need to be readdressed; so that every effort is being made in recruitment produces maximum results. By using technology to create proprietary systems, many college marketing and enrollment services are able to customize lead management and reporting programs to fit each school's needs. This customized analysis of the school's marketing campaign saves the university staff both time and money by identifying clear areas of success. That information is valuable when determining how to appropriate budgeting and staff as the recruitment efforts go forward.

With the recent lag in the economy, many state governments are faced with having to cut education budgets due to deficits. Many universities are looking at serious budget cuts and need to maximize the results of every recruitment dollar spent. Any university looking to increase it's exposure and communication efforts with potential and returning students needs to seriously consider working with college marketing and enrollment services. These services will help universities project their unique environment, curriculum and programs to the largest possible audience, in the most cost-effective way, to ensure strong enrollment. Sounds like money well spent.

From traditional methods to online surveys, eduinteractive's college marketing and enrollment services help you better understand your prospects and position your school more effectively.

A Bachelor Degree Nursing Diploma Can Make For a Bright Future

Are you a caring person who likes helping others? Have you ever considered going into the medical field? If so, then perhaps you need to start thinking about earning your bachelor degree nursing diploma. Getting a nursing degree in a specialty like pediatrics, radiology, or gerontology can open up a whole galaxy of job opportunities. You don't need to be an M.D. to have a well-paying, challenging job in medicine. Medical technology is changing so fast on so many different fronts that new positions are emerging all of the time. Obtaining a bachelor degree in nursing really is a winning proposition.

While the rest of the economy is either shrinking or stagnant, there are always jobs in medicine for the people with the smarts and the technical skills to do them. Getting a diploma in any of the dozens of medical specialties can virtually guarantee that you'll find employment either in a laboratory doing chemical analysis, working in a radiology lab processing x-rays, MRIs, and other types of high-tech medical imaging, or you can get a job in a busy general practice office, or work in a specialty such as pediatrics, intensive care, home health care, medical records, medical administration, or in a busy hospital or clinic.

As America's population ages, there will only be more opportunities in virtually every field of medicine, especially in the areas of home health care and gerontology. More and more of our fellow citizens will require home health care assistance, so there will always be a need for these kinds of jobs. Getting your degree in a particular medical specialty will mean that you won't be stuck doing a lower-paying home health care job when you can be operating high-tech equipment that does sophisticated analysis of the human body's various systems. You can also continue into nursing so you can learn the intricacies of managing medical records to ensure the best possible care for your patients. Psychology remains one of the most fascinating of modern medical disciplines, and a bachelor degree in nursing can put you in the right place to learn as much as you can about the theory and treatment in a modern psychiatric or medical office office.

You may think that you're too busy with your current job and current family and personal responsibilities to tackle a nursing program or some other kind of medicine program, but you're wrong. If you do your coursework online, you can work on it when it's convenient and pursue a course of study that you tackle at your own pace. You can finish it as quickly or slowly as you please, and at the end of your course of schooling, you'll have a four-year degree that will be worth far more than you paid for it.

Right now, employment specialists all agree that getting a bachelor degree in nursing in any specialty will vastly boost your income potential. For people who feel they are too busy pursuing their own lives, earning an online education in nursing is one of the best options available. Even if you've never felt like you were college material, it only makes sense to get the training and the educational credentials that will help you succeed in the workplace of your choice. The job market is only going to get more competitive in the next year, so you need every edge that you can find to get the good jobs, whether they're in medicine or some other field. A bachelor degree in nursing can give you that edge.

Andy West is a writer for BachelorsDegreeOnline.com, which offers the most informative and up to date information for people searching for a Bachelor Degree nursing program online.

Study in Italy - Guide to Studying Overseas

For those of you who wish to study in a romantic and historic environment, Italy is a perfect destination. The history, art scene, food, vineyards, and people all add up to an incredible experience living overseas. Just visiting the main cities of Rome, Florence, and Venice are enough to make the dreams come true of so many Americans...but there is so much more to see and do! Consider a study abroad trip and taking the weekends to ski the Alps, swim along the beaches of Sicily, or visit Mount Vesuvius.

My friend studied Fashion Design in Rome during one semester of her Undergraduate studies. Whenever she speaks of her overseas experience, she can't help but get a huge smile. During her program, there was a fashion design competition, which she ended up winning and gaining great publicity and enhancing her resume. She is now teaching at an American University.

There are programs for everyone; the casual traveler that wishes to learn more about a specific subject, summer sessions, college credit sessions, high school programs, and, Graduate programs. The four main cities to consider for your overseas adventures are Rome, Torino, Siena, Florence, and Venice. Rome will obviously have the most programs available since it is the largest city and the country's capital. The benefits of studying here include the multitude of historical sites you can visit, a vibrant festive atmosphere, and using its great location as a jumping-off point to visit other Italian and Mediterranean locations.

Torino was made famous by hosting the 2006 Winter Olympics and would be a great place to live and study during the winter months; if you like skiing, of course. Siena is located in the heart of Tuscany, Italy's primary wine growing region. Living in this ancient city, you will feel as if you've been transported back into the ages while walking through the many beautiful piazza and courtyards. Florence is world famous for its Michelangelo's David, the nightlife, and all around Italian charm. The city offers a cultural experience that rivals any program in the world. Venice, of course, is surrounded by the mystique of its romantic aura. Since the city is actually made up of over one hundred Islands and over four hundred bridges, to get to classes, there's a good chance you might have to take a stroll along the canal or ride a water taxi as you people watch everyone strolling by.

10 Tips to help you select an Online Distance Education College

Accreditation - this is perhaps the most important of the rules. Accreditation confirms that the college meets certain educational standards that are set by the accrediting education agencies. If you earn credits from an accredited online distance education college, chances are you can transfer them to another accredited institution of your choice. Your chances for acquiring a new job or getting a promotion are greatly enhanced if your degree is accredited.

Be on the look-out for unaccredited online distance education colleges otherwise known as "degree mills". There are many fake institutions granting "accreditation" to any organization willing to pay some money for it. Before you pick your college, make sure you research that it is accredited by a legit body. If you are not sure the college you wish to attend has a legitimate accreditation, consult with the United States Department of Education or CHEA to confirm.

Before you choose an online college, it's also important to think about what your long-terms plans and goals are as far as your education is concerned. Incase you intend to pursue further education, think about if you'll need to transfer credits from one college to another. With this knowledge you'll be able to choose a college that allows and accepts credit transfers.

Just like in a traditional classroom, class size is important. You want to be in a class where your voice can be heard. So check the class size of the college you're considering.

Find out if the faculty hold any credentials and if they are qualified to teach the program you want to enroll in. If you can dig further to find out what degrees they hold and if they are experienced in teaching online students, this will save you the distress of finding out later that your instructor is a fellow un-qualified student with no education skills.

Support is very important to your success of online distance education program. Make sure you find if any and what level of support you will get from instructors, faculty and technical staff should you have problems with your classes or experience technical difficulties. Select a college that meets your standards of expectations.

Most colleges have their online classes rolling out all the time. This is a great thing and makes learning flexible. As such you should not feel pressured by the admission office or anyone else to start your program right away. You should start only when you feel your mind is set to it. This will ensure you stay motivated and put the effort you need to succeed with your classes.

Verify whether during the course of your program, there are classes that will require residency or if you will be able to complete the entire program online. This will help you prepare in advance.

Many online colleges have some form of financial aid or tuition assistance, loans, grants, scholarships available to their online students. You will be surprised at what you can qualify for. Many online schools offer tuition payment plans and employee reimbursement programs. Make sure you ask what tuition programs are available to you.

Take your time to research your best degree option and college out there. Don't settle for less than you deserve. Unlike there before when online programs were limited, now there are enormous options and colleges to choose from as most traditional colleges are already offering some programs online.

College Students - 5 Tips For Making Top Grades

Did you know that every year more than 17 million students enter college but only half of them will actually graduate? Believe it or not, according to the education department, 45% of students who attend college will drop out or fail out. When these students enter college, they all have high expectations and aspirations of making good grades and graduating. Every semester I see students make simple mistakes that, unknown to them, jeopardize their grades. More and more students are dropping out or failing out of college each year because they lack essential information that goes beyond the typical classroom skills. Here are 5 suggestions for students who need and want to make better grades:

1. Go to class the first day. Many students make the mistake of missing the first class because they think it's a waste of time. But it is a mistake that will cause many problems throughout the semester. When you miss the first day of class, not only do you miss pertinent information, but you also create a first bad impression.
2. Before you go to class, find out what books or articles the professor has written. Buy a copy of their latest book, or borrow it from the library and take it to class with you on the first day. If there are no books, find an article by the professor and read it. This will impress the professor and will show that you have an interest in the material and the professor's work.
3. Introduce yourself to your professor on the first day and make a comment about their book or article. Just because you're familiar with your name do not assume that the professor will know and remember it. It's your job to make yourself stand out from the rest of the class, and the first way to do that is to get the professor to associate your face with your name.
4. Schedule a personal appointment with your professor during the first two weeks of school. Most students wait until there is a crisis in their lives to schedule an appointment with the professor. Take the initiative and meet with the professor before a crisis. It helps create credibility and ground the relationship between you and the professor. During the appointment let the professor know of your interest in the subject, and ask what you can do to receive a top grade from the class.
5. Ask your professor how he or she became interested in the subject matter of the class. Asking this simple question will do more for you than you will ever imagine. It will make you stand out from everyone else, and it will help that professor remember you. Ultimately it could work to your advantage in receiving a better grade. Don't underestimate the power of this question.

While these tips may seem innocent on the surface, they can make a big difference in the results you receive if you apply them.

Kamau Kenyatta, author of the new book, "The Confessions of A College Professor," view here, teaches at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ.

To learn more about making top grades in college visit http://www.yourcollegeprofessor.com

Higher and Professional Education in India

Higher education in India is gasping for breath at a time when India is aiming to be an important player in the emerging knowledge economy. With about 300 universities and deemed universities, over 15,000 colleges and hundreds of national and regional research institutes, Indian higher education and research sector is the third largest in the world, in terms of the number of students it caters to.

However, not a single Indian university finds even a mention in a recent international ranking of the top 200 universities of the world, except an IIT Kharagpur ranked at 41, whereas there were three universities each from China, Hong Kong and South Korea and one from Taiwan. On the other hand, it is also true that there is no company or institute in the world that has not benefited by graduates, post-graduates or Ph.D.s from India be it NASA, IBM, Microsoft, Intel, Bell, Sun, Harvard, MIT, Caltech, Cambridge or Oxford, and not all those students are products of our IITs, IIMs, IISc/TIFR or central universities, which cater to barely one per cent of the Indian student population.

This is not to suggest that we should pat our backs for the achievements of our students abroad, but to point out that Indian higher educational institutions have not been able to achieve the same status for themselves as their students seem to achieve elsewhere with their education from here. While many reasons can be cited for this situation, they all boil down to decades of feudally managed, colonially modelled institutions run with inadequate funding and excessive political interference.

Only about 10 per cent of the total student population enters higher education in India, as compared to over 15 per cent in China and 50 per cent in the major industrialized countries. Higher education is largely funded by the state and central governments so far, but the situation is changing fast. Barring a few newly established private universities, the government funds most of the universities, whereas at the college level, the balance is increasingly being reversed.

Name:Naraginti Amareswar reddy
Father Name: N.M.Reddy
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 10th Fed 1981
Ed Qua: M.Sc., M.Ed., research scholar in the dept. of education, sri venkateswara university, tirupati, india
e-mail ID: amareswaran@yahoo.co.in

Why Are You Going to College?

While in high school, most students begin to select a general career direction. Some make careful choices, while others leave things to chance. Either way, the process usually begins there. When college is in the offing, those young adults will attend college for a wide variety reasons. Those reasons usually fall into four distinct categories: Parents, Career, Money and Interests.

Parents frequently try to steer their children into college. These parents generally recognize that many corporate employers now consider the college degree to be a requirement for administrative, supervisory, technical and management positions. However, college is not right for everyone. Some students aren't ready. Others are better suited for careers in areas where a college education is not all that useful.

Career goals can drive those students who have a specific career in mind. They may want to be an attorney, a doctor, a scientist, an accountant or a social worker, etc. Students who know where they are trying to go usually have an advantage over students who are confused and less focused. Other students may have already entered the world of work and have come to recognize that their career progress may depend on obtaining a degree in their specialty or perhaps in business and management. Such students may attend college on a part-time basis, often at night or on weekends.

Money affects the decisions of some students. These students may select their career direction based on the amount of money they think they can make in that field. People with college degrees often hold higher positions and earn considerably more money than people without a degree, in similar positions. Highly desirable degrees, from the most well-respected colleges, can put high performing students on a career fast track.

Other interests will motivate some students to attend college. Those interests can include a love of learning, athletics, the arts, science, politics and even friendship may come into play (to follow a girl/boyfriend) or for social reasons (meet members of the opposite sex). In other cases, students may attend college by default. These students may go to college simply because all of their friends are going or they don't have a job and don't have a better alternative.

Ultimately, upon graduation from college, most young adults will be starting a new job, going on to Graduate School or seeking a full-time job. And so, the reason that most students are going to college is to obtain the knowledge, wisdom, experience and successes that will impress potential employers and help them land a good job or get into Graduate School.

If students and parents accept this statement, the question then becomes, what can students do to impress potential employers or help them get into Graduate School? And so, if students want to improve the odds for being successful after graduation, they must make the most of the entire four-year college experience.

Employers and Graduate Schools look for seven things:

1. Academic success usually means a "B" average or better. Many employers and Graduate Schools will not even consider you if you don't meet their academic standards.

2. The quality of your college education refers to the rating, reputation and status of your college.

3. A well-rounded college experience.

- Participation in clubs and athletic activities

- Work experience

- Community activities

- Campus events and activities

- Willingness to try things

4. Successes, accomplishments and results.

- Leadership roles and experiences in your area of interest

- Demonstrated strengths that differentiate you from others

- Communication skills (speak, write, present, listen, teach, etc.)

- Examples of competence with technology and computers

- Ability to build relationships and function in a team environment

- Examples of having accepted responsibility

- Ability to overcome obstacles

- Willingness to be held accountable

5. A powerful resume that presents the student's assets and capabilities.

6. Outstanding communication and interviewing skills.

7. Strong references from professors, advisors, coaches, employers, community leaders and other impressive people.

These seven items are the keys to success as students attempt to enter the world of work or be accepted to a desirable Graduate School. If students want their careers to get off on the best foot after college, each student should keep these items in the forefront, as they progress through their college experience.

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

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

Online Range Ecology Degree Courses

Range (also known as range lands) is a barren land that is not fit for agriculture and cultivation. Range land is mainly utilized as a source of continuous forage for cattle. Ranges can also provide natural resources like minerals and timber. Also these can be utilized as spaces for recreation and enjoyment. An ideal range land should provide almost all of the above-mentioned utilities. It should act as a source of foliage for domestic and other types of animals; it should provide natural resources; also it should have the facilities to be converted as a park or any other recreational spot. For making a range land ideal for all these purposes, a stream of science has emerged. It is called the management of range ecology. Generally the management of range ecology is associated with environment and agriculture.

There are a number of universities and educational institutions in United States that offer courses in management of range lands. Montana State University, University of Idaho, Oregon State University, Colorado State University, Texas A and M University are some of the major universities in United States that provide excellent bachelor-level and post-graduate courses in range management. As the specialization of range ecology and management has good career prospects with various government and ecological organizations, the number of students opting for range management course has been continuously on the rise.

With personal computer and internet becoming common household accessories, the idea of distance education has gained a new dimension. Many technologically advanced universities started providing online learning facility for their regular courses. A student can register himself or herself through the official website of the university and select a course that he or she wants to study. The university then sends notes and lectures through e-mail. Some universities even arrange video conferencing facility for simulating real-life class-room learning atmosphere. Although range ecology and its management is not a common and conventional specialization like bio-technology or molecular physics, there are several universities that allow students to pursue studies on range ecology and its management through internet.

The Animal and Range Sciences Department of Montana State University provides an excellent online degree course on range ecology. The department offers diverse research and training material in range ecology, habitat management, watershed management, grazing management and plant-animal interactions. University of Idaho also offers an online degree course on range ecology. Similarly Oregon State University provides an online degree course and management with a curriculum that is intended to prepare students to think about the range ecology critically and comprehend the mutually beneficial interactions between living species and soil. Colorado State University has a bachelor-level study program and management that emphasizes on biodiversity, environmental ethics, environmental planning, and range management.

Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about online ecology courses, please visit Ecology for Students for current articles and discussions.

MBA - The Most Popular Master Program in the World

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is the best known and most popular postgraduate program in the world!

In recent years there has been a big increase in management education, the biggest increase coming in postgraduate courses - particularly the MBA. The primary aims of the MBA are to develop among students the foundation skills and competencies in general management.

Most management education is provided by universities and management or business schools. Almost every university is offering the degree of MBA in a variety of study modes such as full time, part time, distance learning, self study, online or flexible structure.

There are basically two types of MBA, the generalist and the specialist, although the structure is essentially the same for both.

The generalist MBA roughly consists of three parts. The first part gives students grounding in core business skills such as marketing, human resource management, information systems, financial and management accounting, and others. The second part allows students to choose subjects which are of particular interest or relevance to them and focus on these. These subjects of study, known as electives because students elect to study them, will most probably have a bearing on their future careers. The third and final part of the MBA is usually a project which students carry out within a company. This will involve the solving of a particular problem or the management of a project, after which the students must write a dissertation based on their experience.

The specialist MBA has the same course structure; however, it allows students to develop their studies in a more specialized way once they have proceeded beyond the first part of the course and have a solid grounding in the core business skills. Areas of specialism, for instance, could be finance, accounting, human resource management, public administration, marketing, and so on.

The author holds an MBA from Heriot-Watt University (UK) and a BCom degree from The University of Adelaide (Australia). For more information on the latest university rankings (Australia, UK, USA and the world), please visit http://whichuniversitybest.blogspot.com

Do You Want to Find a College, University Or Online School in Your Area?

Do you want to know How-To Find a College, University or Online School Today! Getting a college degree today is easier than ever before! Thanks to the number of institutions offering distance learning opportunities. Whether you are going after a undergraduate, graduate, or doctorate degree you can choose from scores of degree granting schools.

Here are some of the schools and information on them.

University of Phoenix

With convenient class locations as well as online learning, University of Phoenix makes quality higher education highly accessible.

YTI Career Institute

YTI Career Institute's Mission is helping committed students attain rewarding careers through industry-modeled, student-centered, training and support of the highest caliber.

Tiffin University Online

Tiffin University was established in 1888 and now offers nationally accredited graduate and undergraduate degrees.

CollegeAmerica

You don't need to wait for the beginning of a year or semester. You can get started this month in day or evening classes, so you can continue working while going to college.

Lincoln Tech

Known and respected as Lincoln Technical Institute since its founding in 1946 as a post-war job skill training source, Lincoln Tech has consistently responded to employer needs and the changing times.

Western Governors University

Western Governors University is a non-profit online university offering you a convenient, flexible online education. WGU delivers an outstanding quality education.

Virginia College Online

Virginia College Online will give your life new direction as we give you the chance to pursue a degree while maintaining commitments to work and family.

Walden University

Our online doctoral, master's and bachelor's degrees are designed to help students achieve personal enrichment and professional advancement.

California College of San Diego

Our unique high-value programs prepare you with multiple skills so you can acquire numerous certifications and/or licenses within your field.

Everest College

The entire college system is dedicated to the notion that students should have the opportunity to reach their full academic and professional potential.

So, whether you are pursuing an art certificate, a B.A. in Psychology, an MBA, or a PhD you could be doing your studies from a laptop or desktop and never even smell a classroom again.

If you're interested then click there and see if you get accepted today!

Things to Consider When Deciding on a College

They also have to choose a college for the right reasons. Even though most understand that this is one of the most important decisions that they will have to make, they often want to attend the same school their friends will go to. Choosing the right college is a very important decision, as you are going to spend some of the most important years of your life there.

College plays an important role in shaping your career. When choosing what college to attend, you need to check on its reputation, location, and its job placement record. Also, you must consider the availability of financial aid. In addition, you will need to decide if you will live on or off campus.

Location

Whether or not you plan to stay in your hometown or with your own parents, location is very important. Most parents consider the distance that will be required while traveling to and from classes. If you are planning to stay on campus, then location is not much of a problem.

However, you may still need to consider how long you may have to travel to various facilities. If you plan to work part-time, location may be a concern for you. If you plan to visit your parents frequently, then again location is a paramount concern.

College Campus

Sometimes college life can be difficult. It is especially hard if you are a new student, to know how to fit in. Many students face problems knowing how to adjust socially. To avoid problems, you may want to check the college student admissions department to see how they can ease the transition.

Check if there are rules regarding hazing or bullying.

Student-Teacher Ratio

When considering the college, teachers are of great importance. You can check the student-teacher ratio before enrolling in any class. If the ratio between the students to teachers is disproportionate, then you may find that getting individual attention difficult.

You must get adequate guidance and attention in order to do well academically.

Student Help Center

Many students find having a student help center, where you can go with your issues and complaints, extremely useful. The student center provides extra support to the students with their studies, tutoring, and other services that may be helpful.

This service is usually available 24 hours a days a week.

Job Placement

It's very important to check on the job placement record at the college. You can conduct research and find out whether the college has a good reputation in the business community. You can request that the college to provide you with placement statistics of its graduates.

Research which companies regularly hold campus interviews and hire its students.

Living Arrangements

Housing is a concern only if you are planning to live off campus or away from family. Check the location of your dorm, whether it is inside the campus or outside of it. Pay attention to the number of rooms available and how many students will share the same room. Check out the cafeteria facilities and how accessible they are.

Don't forget to get a feel for the atmosphere of the institution. By paying attention to the factors above, you will be able to decide which college is the right one for you.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online ( http://www.sixsigmaonline.org ) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for six sigma professionals including, lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

Budgeting for College

If you have kids, you probably worry about how you will afford to send them to college. With a college education currently averaging about $22,500.00 per year, finding enough dough in the budget to set aside a piece of change to help finance your child's future involves more than just basic math.

Even if you are lucky enough to have a child that can earn scholarship money, you should plan to contribute a significant amount of your own savings toward the college budget. Some estimates of financing a total four-year college education, and by total we mean the cost of tuition, books, food, room and board, etc., run as high as $200,000. With this in mind, you'd be wise to begin adding to the college piggy bank as early as possible.

What exactly is the best way for the average parent to put together enough pennies to add up to a college degree? Even if you are not able to finance the entire four years, any help you can give your college-bound child will result in a smaller post-college repayment bill. Don't sacrifice your retirement fund however. Just contribute what you realistically can and let junior worry about the rest.

So, think about your options. Socking away even $100.00 a month can yield up to $50,000.00 by the time your child reaches the halls of knowledge. Many people find that stocks and mutual funds are a best bet for college-bound investing and others swear by 529 savings plans. Your college savings route will likely depend on how much of your own personal budget you can reasonably contribute to the cause. Whichever route you choose, rest assured that there are many tax breaks to help you manage those tuition bills and student loan repayment plans are now more flexible than ever.

Rebecca J. Stigall is a full-time freelance writer, author, and editor with a background in psychology, education, and sales. She has written extensively in the areas of self-help, relationships, psychology, health, business, finance, real estate, fitness, academics, and much more! Rebecca is a highly sought after ghostwriter with clients worldwide, and offers her services through her website at http://www.wordsmithRJS.com

Health Tips for New College Students

Staying healthy on campus may be one of the more overlooked items of importance when it comes to college living... especially when there are more important things such as deadlines and midterms to be concerned with. But what many college students tend to forget is that on campus, illnesses run rampant especially in the winter. The risks are too great to avoid a daily dose of healthy reminders in order to stay healthy and not have to miss too much class for reasons that could have been avoided. Here are some tips to help college students stay healthy and going strong at the university.

First, before heading off to college, it would be a good thing to get your vaccinations in order. There is a big mix of completely different people from all around the world in close quarters with one another and disease and illness can be easily spread, especially when using shared resources like those of colleges and universities.

Put together a healthy eating plan. With the hectic schedule college demands, it is very easy to simply grab whatever is easy to eat such as a double cheeseburger and onion rings...every day. The dorms make it very easy to not only consume deep fried foods regularly, but in quite an amazing abundance. Try to focus on a healthy diet, sticking with fruits and vegetables and try to make those things, such as french fries, you know shouldn't be going into your body more like rewards than an everyday necessity in your diet.

Get enough sleep. Sleep is so important in order to keep yourself healthy. Many college students believe sleep is overrated, yes, I confess...but now I correct that mistake. Lack of sleep will only make things worse in the lines of illnesses and even academics. Yes, you may do just fine without sleep, but just think about how much more you will enjoy your college experience while potentially even doing better than you are WITHOUT sleep. No sleep = heightened risk of illness due to lower immune system defense and more.

Try to keep a regular exercise schedule. Sitting around and studying may exercise your brain cells but not necessarily the rest of your body. You can use the college gym or just take a run, but it is a good thing to get the blood circulating through your body and brain. This oxygenation will help improve your studies and will make many things a lot easier for you in the long run, not to mention boost your immune system.

Drink plenty of water. Many students tend to forget this and simply grab a soda. Let's see...you need a quick drink as you are on the go, ah yes soda machine! You stick your hand in your pocket to find only a little change left. "Oh man I forgot I had those other three sodas earlier. Darn, I am so thirsty and I need something for class!"

Keep a water bottle in your bag and keep it filled. It does wonders and not to mention helps keep your body healthy.

In regards to the "communal living" aspect of college, make sure you are cautious of all the different people who use the restroom at your dorm. This is not home where mom may clean up after you. The college restrooms are, indeed, cleaned once a day or so, but they can get dirty really quick. Wear flip flops in the shower and make sure you try to avoid placing things on the counter tops such as razors that you may be shaving and such with. Be sure to wash your hands regularly in college as well.

Even though it may be rather difficult to remember to do all these things, this is not all. In fact there are many other tips at our website and more. But all I am trying to say in this article is to simply be a little more cautious about staying healthy in college in order to help you stay healthy as well as others. Good luck with all of your future college endeavors and stay well!

S. Michael Windsor is currently publisher and a writer for BackToSchoolNetwork.com. The BSN Online Back To School Guide is a premier college back-to-school information platform that provides individuals with a quality in-depth look at college living and the associated products, services and information available today. Visit us today at http://www.BackToSchoolNetwork.com and subscribe to our Free Member services.

What Do The US Border Patrol And College Have In Common?

Cave Creek Arizona - I was driving from Phoenix to San Diego for a conference. It was a nice drive down Highway 8. A stack of music CDs and a fistful of highly caffeinated drinks.

Well I was surprised there were three, yes three US Border Patrol checkpoints. At the second checkpoint an eager officer was stopping all the traffic for inspection and questions.

I stopped, turned off my radio and rolled down the window. He looked at me and with authority told me "Let me see your citizenship papers."

My response was "Umm-ahhh, I have an Arizona drivers license." I had visions of Cops the TV show; me handcuffed and slammed into a patrol car.

I was wearing an Adidas t-shirt, Oakley sunglasses and a baseball cap. How much more American can I look? Now for those of you who never met me, I am a stereotypical person. I look like most business people with a conservative hairstyle and look. I was born in New York and grew up in Northern California. So the only accent I have is a California one, dude.

It turns out the Border Patrol Agent was a car buff like myself. He asked me a couple questions about the car and then said to have a nice day.

Now here's my point. When you, the student are in the interview process you need to be ready for anything. Remember the Boy Scouts motto "Be Prepared!"

Here are the top most popular questions asked in a college admissions interview.

1. Why do you want to go to (school name) or study (your major) at (school name)?
2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
3. Where do you see yourself in 10 (number) years from now?
4. What do you think about President Bush (political figure) or war in Iraq (current event)?

There are reasons why they ask these questions. Now they may be worded differently but for the most part it is the basics of the question.

The first question is really to find out what the student can contribute to the school and if the student put any thought into which schools he/she is going to attend.

The second question, you need to have an answer for the "weakness" and be able to turn it into a positive. Such as, 'my weakness is I am lazy. And knowing this I put in a lot of effort to accomplish my task early so that I can be lazy without worry that I need to finish my project.'

The third question, where do you see yourself in 5-10-15 years is to show the school that you have direction. Not exact, like I see myself in a house with a white picket fence, 2 kids, 2 cars, a boat, working at XYZ Company. They want to see that you have thought about where you might be in the future and that you have some kind of plan.

The fourth question is to see if you have an opinion and see if you are aware of the world around you. So if you are not familiar with who is running for political office or major current events; now is the time to get involved. Read the News Paper, watch the news and review the news websites.

My first point is "be prepared." My second point is find common ground and interest with the person who is interviewing you. With the US Border Patrol Agent, we connected with a common interest, cars.

It is okay for you to ask questions in the interview. Most of the people interviewing will be alumni. So you can ask them, why did they go to that school? What did they like best about it? What was their most memorable experience in college? From this you may find a common interest or at least something that you can ask further questions.

When getting ready for college remember the motto: "Be prepared."

J.D. Wyczalek is the founder of AZ College Planning. For more information visit http://www.PayForCollegeWithoutGoingBroke.com

Life for college students can prove to be a very hectic and stressful time. Learning to sufficiently recognize stress and deal with it in a positive way can have an enormous impact on a student's college experience in general. Falling grades, confusing assignments, struggling relationships with friends, and being away from familiar scenery can all have a serious impact on the amount of stress an average student experiences.

Look at some of the facts:

Stress a student can experience can often make a college student sick. Stress has a very profound effect on the effectiveness and ability of the immune system to fight germs and common airborne ailments such as colds and coughs.

As much as 75% of college students, who saw a doctor, saw one based on common symptoms of stress and exhaustion. Based on this, The University of Wisconsin has done research to show that the five largest causes of college stress disorders include peer pressure, competition, separation from family, freedom, and choosing a major or career.

With the joys of freedom and opportunities to make new social connections, comes the financial burden. If the whole college experience didn't cost enough, now students are being tested financially in a time where reading the fine print and comparing a few simple interest rates can mean decades paying it back or years re-establishing your credit rating.

The most obvious method of cutting down the stress is identifying it at the source. Some things you cannot do much to avoid such as homework, tests, or shifts at work; however, you can set certain times to do each of these activities that create the least amount of conflict in your schedule. Have you signed up for an extracurricular activity that is sucking up your time and taking away from the time to get things done you need to? Drop it! In the end, it is the grades, your networking, and overall health that determine a successful experience.

Other useful ways to take a stand against the stress in your life include making to do list to effectively manage your time, spacing out assignments so you focus on each one the best you can, and don't be afraid to talk to teachers, friends, or tutor labs to help you when you need it most.

Having alone time and time with your friends is different, and a combination of both is vital to most individuals that want to keep refreshed, recharged, and content. Also staying in contact with friends from high school and family members at home are two things that can be done to keep from feeling alone, defeated and stressed.

If you think you may be the only one around you that is experiencing stress, think again. Don't be afraid to seek some help with a counselor or medical specialist if you think the stress is becoming unbearable. These people are there to help and would gladly help you restore your sense of well-being.

Tom Tessin is an author for FINDcollegecards.com that is geared toward students looking for a college student credit card

Get Your Priorities in Order to Find the Best Schools

Finding good schools, colleges and universities is a relatively simple process if you have your priorities in order. There are many choices of degree programs, fields of study and trades that you can learn, and practically every form of higher education is designed to help you get ahead. If you are ready to find the best schools in the US or Canada, take a good long look at your vision for the future and start thinking about how gaining post secondary education could help you achieve your dreams.

Almost all forms of adult education have some admission prerequisites. Even your local trade school or vocational school will almost always require at least a high school diploma to be eligible for enrollment. Many colleges are willing to accept a GED in place of a diploma, and this is welcome news for those who are anxious to get higher education.

A good place for many to begin would be community colleges where undergraduates can get a taste of campus life and earn Associate degrees in a variety of interesting fields of study. You do not necessarily have to pick a major right off. If you are undecided, you can begin accumulating general education credits that can later be applied toward an Associate degree program.

The next level of education is the Bachelor degree, readily available at most colleges and universities. Bachelor degree programs can take up to four years, and they are designed to concentrate studies for a well-rounded education that encompasses laboratory work and practical aspects of the specific field of study. Many schools will allow the student to take a double major at this point, such as a business major with a concentration in information technology (IT), for instance. A double concentration can provide many future rewards, but the demands are extremely rigorous. The average adult student is more comfortable acquiring college degrees one at a time, at a steady pace.

If you are already working or simply unable to attend classes a traditional college, you might be surprised to learn there are hundreds of good, accredited online schools to consider. Today's top colleges and universities will often provide online courses designed to allow students to follow a flexible learning path to get respected degrees and diplomas.

Perhaps you are a graduate student looking for graduate schools to earn your Master's Degree or even Doctorate Degrees. There are a number of excellent colleges and universities offering graduate degree programs to help you attain your goals with a few additional years of concentrated study. These terminal degree programs provide in-depth instruction for those wishing to enter professional fields of scientific research or education.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on our website.

Copyright 2008 - All rights reserved by Media Positive Communications, Inc.

Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website, provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.

Finding your way down the right academic path is probably the most important trip you will ever embark upon, so take your time. Search for good accredited Schools, Colleges, Universities on our website and contact several of them today. They are eager to hear from you and will quickly respond to your request for complimentary information to help you make good decisions.

Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. Find Schools, Colleges, Universities, Vocational Schools and Online Schools at SchoolsGalore.com, your educational resource to locate schools.

Education for Everyone!

Other home school options were the writing classes ,and the Bible classes. Each and every course was excellent. In fact there was never any home-schooling that I was unhappy about.

You can home-school yourself without even taking courses. Say you want to learn to ride a horse or do something else. Go to your computer and look up the words horses or riding lessons; check all the sites and learn and school yourself right there at the web. Then go to the library in person and find all the books that you can find about horses, about upkeep of horses and about learning to ride horses. Absorb this material as if it had been given to you by your college professor. Really absorb, learn and take in every syllable of education that you can get your hands on at the public library. If you are interested in the subject of writing, go to the bookstore and find the "Writers' Digest" Magazine or "The Writer" magazine. These will help you get started right away. At the end of the year, check out the "annual" issues; these magazines have the most leads and the most resources and information than any other magazine published.

The benefits of home-schooling are many. And these are just some of them:

TIME - You can study and read and practice in your own time. Perhaps you have a busy schedule and you feel you have no time for education. You can not go to college but you have time in the evenings when no classes are scheduled. This is just the right time to check into a correspondence school You make your own hours, days and you make your own work schedule.

PLACE - You study, practice and read in the place where you are, which makes you feel more comfortable. You don't have to be self-conscious about going to class. You don't need to wear certain clothes or pay extra for carfare to and from school. So the place to study is at home or on the bus when you are on the way to the beach. You can study and practice in the botanic gardens. Your choices of finding places to study, work and read is wide open. You can study, read and practice practically anywhere you choose to do so. You can bring your books and camp out and study inside your tent on a rainy day. So, one benefit of adult home-schooling is place.

CONVENIENCE - That is all certainly convenient. Home-schooling is convenient especially during storms, and unusual times in your life. Are you working full time and too tired to go to school after work? That just might be a reason to choose home-schooling. Study where and when you want to do so. Are you feeling sick? No need to worry. You won't miss any classes when you home-study because there are no classes to go to.

There are certain correspondence schools that have minimal requirements. If you want to study photography, consider looking up NYI on the internet. If you are interested in writing -fiction or non-fiction, you may consider looking up NRI on the internet. There are hundreds of schools that will sound interesting to you. First send for information and then read the information. Compare prices and compare requirements. There are even Bible schools which offer correspondence courses. For example, you might need to be able to mail your lessons in to the company, but with some others you can send your lessons in by email. Check all the school as ask what their details are.

Why do I write about home-schooling? I write about this topic because I home-schooled my children (before they had conventional schooling) and also because I chose many avenues of home-schooling and correspondence schooling for myself. Here are some details on how it all began for me:During my life there were times when I had no time to attend school and I had no money to attend the average photography school. Photography was just a dream to me - until I began a correspondence class on the subject of Photography. Finally , one dream came true and I was studying photography, photojournalism and related topics through this correspondence school. Here is the process that I went through (I share this here for those whom are curious about the process).

1. Contacted the school by mail. I waited for them to respond. For some reason, I did not sign up right away. That hesitation benefited me, because weeks or months later, the company mailed a discount offer to me. (It seems like most schools and companies will do that if you hesitate to join, they try and give you more incentive to join up by offering you a discount after a certain time period.

2. Signing up with the discount, I began my education in that subject area. (Have someone look over your contract to be sure that you are getting a good, fair and safe deal). Sign the contract (when you are sure), send your check or money order in and you have started on the road to education.

3. I was diligent about my studies. I did the lessons, did the tests and kept up with all correspondence. Passed the courses and I was home free! Do the same when you begin. Use a calendar and send in exactly what you need to send it at the time when it is due. You can be a "A" student, right there in your home, your office or in your hospital bed.

4. Study hard, and pass the tests and you will be on the road to success. I did the lessons and the tests, completed the course and finally, I was the holder of a dream come true - my graduation certificate. That's the process; it's easy, uncomplicated and they are just waiting for your first inquiry. Look up the school you are interested in and begin.

So, now you know the benefits of adult home-schooling, what are you waiting for? Check out some home-schools or correspondence classes on the net and get started. I recommend New York Institute of Photography and I recommend, also, The Canon Masters Program (for photography). Follow these up with a college or high school art or photography class later on in the year and then you will have access to a darkroom to develop your photographs.

So, conventional schooling is good for some and home-schooling is good for others. Only you know the choice that is best for your time, your schedule and your life. Personally, I like the combination of both home-schooling and conventional schooling. This combination can fit into your lifestyle. For my own lifestyle, I opted for home-schooling and correspondence school while I was busy raising a family. Anytime that I had long hours and busy schedules, I always enrolled in some sort of home schooling and correspondence school. After that when things slowed down or when I found time where I could actually go to classes, I went to trade schools and attend college. There are even different ways to begin going to college. You can begin with "Continuing Education" courses, and you can supplement this with business courses that various community corporations give. And later on when you have time you can go to college full time. What I am saying is make school work for you and that will add education, creativity and many other wonderful events to your life. That's all there is to it. Good luck in your new venture of adult home-schooling.

The author of this article is a published author. Her work has been published in one newspaper in New York City, and her work has been mentioned in various newspapers and one magazine in the USA. She writes to share important, vital and or entertaining information with the public.