The Realities of the College Transfer

"If you don't like your college, you can always transfer." How many times have you heard that? You must admit, it seems to take the pressure off of finding the right college. You choose a college, and if it doesn't work out, you transfer. Sounds easy enough, right?

But before you make a decision just to end the tiresome college research, let's look at the implications of transferring:

• Time. In college, the academic challenges will likely be greater than high school, and you won't have as many papers and tests that count toward your final grade. The majority of your time will be spent studying; you'll have few opportunities to research, visit, and apply to other colleges.

• Costs. Next, there are the applications costs. (Remember those?) Then, there may be costs to re-take courses at your new school-with new books-because course credits do not always transfer from one school to another. Finally, re-taking courses and meeting new graduation requirements may mean it could take five or six years to earn a degree, adding more to your overall cost of tuition.

• Freshman, again. Remember, when you transfer, you will be starting all over again making new friends. Only now you'll be doing it as a sophomore-alongside sophomores who started their freshmen year together and have "settled in" with their own niche of friends. Bottom line: it could take more effort on your part to make new friends.

Still want to push aside your college research? Consider this statistic: students who transfer after their first year of college, less than 40% stay on track to finish their bachelor's degree. Less than 40%!

College research may be a great stress now, but take your time while you're still in high school and find the colleges that fit all of you: your personality, interests, preferences, learning style, as well as your grades. Time spend now can result in a rewarding college experience, and a degree later.

Is There a Solution to Retraining America?

Perhaps, you've considered the famous viral video; "What Does it All Mean," and the implications of that. If you do not know what I am talking about, then please stop right now, and look up that video on Google Video or YouTube and watch it. Most have already seen it, and it does make you think indeed. Now then, how can we adjust our colleges, trade schools, private universities, community colleges, and for-profit colleges to deal with this challenge ahead, well, actually the challenge is "Now" isn't it?

Not long ago, I spoke with a bay area acquaintance out there in California, and he noted that the community colleges needed an upgrade. How so you ask? Well, he explains it to me like this. "I suggest colleges and universities to add 2 years to complete a degree rather than 4 years program," and yes, he's right isn't he? In fact, he sent this recommendation into California Governator Arnold S. who also agreed that this is a viable idea, and even sent back a thank you note. In my acquaintance on the right track?

My belief is yes; absolutely. The tuition and costs are way too high and make it difficult for a community college student to transfer, and it really does not make all that much sense anyway. What we need to in my opinion is competition, especially for common degrees required for employment, and even some industry degrees that need to be on those resumes. Interestingly enough, I am a big fan of the University of Phoenix, and am perfectly find with opening the flood gates with private free-enterprise solutions too.

We can fix this challenge and solve these issues, and we must do something quick, after all, when we ask; "What does it all mean?" well it could mean disaster if we do not act accordingly. So, please consider all this.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes in education, jobs, and proper retraining.

Study MBA Courses From a Corner of Your Home in Online Mode

Although none of us can have prescience about which career or mode of study will be right for us, we can hope to shine in life by choosing a career option that is 'in' for some time. Say for example, the MBA or Master of Business Administration. MBA, with its great profitable prospects, have become the most sought after courses of all time. The whole world seems to be crazy about the MBA degree and its lucrative benefits. Institutes and universities have emerged all over the worlds that promise to offer all the necessary knowledge and skills that make up for a successful MBA. They say 'you don't just do an MBA, you become an MBA'. This is a statement that broaches esteem and wealth in our minds.

Globalization has impacted all arenas of life, so why education should be left? The education sector across the globe has been immensely influenced by globalization and the changing needs of international job markets. Keeping up with the evolving trends of the world, MBA courses have been tailored and are being constantly modified to foster astute business leaders who can make resilient decisions keeping in tune with the rest of the world.

The courses are offered in various formats and incorporate every new fashion that may have a direct effect on businesses. Though they differ in the mode of delivery and the style of mentoring, the basics of an MBA course include the following-

- Business communication
- Statistics and/or quantitative methods
- Organizational behavior
- Human resource management
- Management information systems
- Accounts
- Financial management
- Strategic management
- Marketing management etc.

Some of these form the roots of a business and make topics for specialization.

A very popular and cost-effective way to earn an MBA degree is to obtain it through an online institute or university. Online versions of brick-and-mortar universities have hauled up in the recent years and have managed to grab attention due to their genuineness and quality of education. Although negative examples do exist, online education has been more of a friend to those students who cannot physically attend classes for job, family or health issues. Now, it's possible to study your desired course sitting on your very own cozy bed or while cooking the evening snack in the kitchen.

Although none of us can have prescience about which career or mode of study will be right for us, we can hope to shine in life by choosing a career option that is 'in' for some time. Say for example, the MBA or Master of Business Administration. MBA, with its great profitable prospects, have become the most sought after courses of all time. The whole world seems to be crazy about the MBA degree and its lucrative benefits. Institutes and universities have emerged all over the worlds that promise to offer all the necessary knowledge and skills that make up for a successful MBA. They say 'you don't just do an MBA, you become an MBA'. This is a statement that broaches esteem and wealth in our minds.

Richard Johnson is doing his online MBA course from UK. So he has a vast knowledge on online MBA, online education. For more information online MBA course visit http://www.rdi.co.uk/.

Why Should I Go to College?

In my line of work teaching and helping students with their studies in a whole myriad of subjects in various institutions both in the UK and internationally for the best part of the last seven years, it is often interesting to ask students as to why they actually want to go to college.

A whole variety of reasons will be given in response to this simple question including -

'Because my parents say that I should go to college?'

'Because society says I should to college?'

Of course these are significant motivating factors, but you need more of a reason than either of those given above because these students marks all too often suffer as a result so, if you are going to look to go to college, you must want to go for a greater reason centred on two things your desire to look -

TO LEARN

and

TO DO SO FOR YOURSELF.

Remember, even if no one in your family has ever been to college before, you should go if you want to because this should be a great source of pride for both you and your family so go if you want to.

Every homework assignment that you are set to be completed by your college needs to be for you in the same way as every test and every other activity that they require of you to achieve your qualification in that particular subject at the institution you have chosen because the best motivation comes from within yourself.

Ask yourself whether you have a plan -

What do you want to be when you are older?

Do you want to be a doctor, an actor, a lawyer, a football coach or a dancer?

Why do you want to do it?

Whatever you choose you will usually need qualifications, but whatever it is you will usually be motivated to go out and get it for yourself if - for example - being a lawyer is what you really want to be in the future for a career.

Personal ambition is clearly key in your desire to do things that you want to do - if there is something that you really want to do, you must do everything that you can to do it.

With this in mind, if you go to college with a desire to further yourself and learn so as to fulfill your own personal ambition then you will then be better placed to -

(a) Expand your knowledge and skills with a view to then furthering your career.

(b) Learn to express yourself more clearly and accurately where there is a practical need for your knowledge in a given subject (e.g. if you are a doctor, you need be able to talk to patients clearly).

(c) Improve your understanding of many subject-specific concepts and theories.

(d) Apply for employment and earn more money potentially - (i.e. someone who goes to college usually has many more opportunities to get work and earn more money).

And so, with this in mind, ask yourself now and think carefully -

Why do you want to go to college?

In view of the fact that there is plenty of scope for you to go to college, reading this article will mean that you will then also be much better prepared for the work you need to do along with the other resources you find useful including 'The Secret Guide to Academic Writing & Study' to be clicked on via http://www.academicfx.co.uk/page5.html that provides many further ideas and concepts for your studies.

Contact me now at postmaster@academicfx.co.uk for further assistance in this and other areas where you are having any problems in your education or general life on campus and I will be only to happy to offer you assistance wherever I can.

Why You Need Audio Engineering Colleges

An audio engineer has many career options since there are many areas that need his/her services. They include movies, music, television shows and other functions and events that need sound production. Being a sound engineer can be quite exciting as almost all the areas they will work in are events that bring a lot of fun. As a professional, you will be involved in the recording and editing of audio to produce desired effects.

To be an audio engineer, you have to go to school and pursue the course and there are many audio engineering colleges offering such programs. This is the main reason you need them as you have to acquire the right knowledge, skills and certifications to be considered a professional. You will only be employed or find jobs if you can prove that you have undergone the required audio engineering courses and emerged successful.

Audio engineering has progressed over the years and one of the changes that are noticeable is the fact that people are now using the digital technology as opposed to analog technology. The good thing with these colleges is that you get a chance to learn both technologies especially the new techniques resulting from the latest technology and how to integrate them.

Client's needs are ever-changing and as such every audio engineer must adapt to the changes to be able to meet the demands of the customers. You need to go to school to learn how to meet changing clients' demands and most of the audio engineering courses are designed in such a way that you will find it easy to adapt to the changes in technology which results in people's need for quality products.

There are many equipment used in audio engineering and the best place to learn them is at the audio engineering colleges. Most of the equipment are not very easy to use but under the right environment and with the right people, you can master them. After completing your studies, you can now purchase your own equipment for use in your work having learned how to use each of them.

I am but a person with an intense desire for self-expression that is a true devotee of pure intellect; the dream should at least ensure that place in the intellectual community in which my voice is an influential individual. The passion for the expression of thoughts and thirst for knowledge are the driving forces behind my motivation. The ruling is an inspiration of Julius Caesar, I am proud to own! I came, I saw, I conquered! Presently writing engineering colleges and online education.

Advantage and Disadvantage of Distance Learning - The Hidden Disadvantages You May Not Realize

Now before I get to the advantages of going to college on-campus instead of online let me clear one thing up: I go to college online! But, then again I'm a single mom raising 3 children, working full-time and going back to school. However, when my oldest son was ready for college there was no question in my mind-- he was going to college away from home.

Why? Because a whole lot of a young adult's college education takes place outside of the classroom. To that end, here are 8 disadvantages of distance learning... 8 things that you will miss out on if you don't attend college on campus.

1. Meet and Greet

The old, "I'm going to college to meet my future wife/husband" doesn't really apply these days - or does it? You might not be searching for someone to put a ring on your finger, but it's a definite possibility that you'll meet a great date, a future coworker, a lifelong friend, an inspirational professor or someone else who will impact your life. College is a time to improve your social skills and expand your network to include individuals who come from different upbringings. Relish the opportunity to make new friends and potential future professional connections.

2. Learn to Juggle

We're not talking about joining a circus here - we're talking about your time. You'll think that your teachers are out to get you by scheduling papers, speeches and exams at the same time; however, this will improve your organizational skills. Staying up all night writing a paper builds character (whether it's because you decided to go to the football game, play a Wii bowling tournament in the dorm or recover from your stressful psych class - all weekend).

3. Love it and Hate it

From cafeteria food to ancient civilizations, college basketball to your roommate's smoking, "Wuthering Heights" to 24-hour convenience stores, you'll determine your likes and dislikes. If you don't know what you want to be when you grow up as a freshman, you'll at least know what you don't want to be when you graduate! The best part of all this great knowledge is that you'll become a well-rounded, freethinking individual.

4. Balance your Checkbook

Alright, checkbooks are a bit outdated. How about balance your online bank statement? Here's your chance to really prove that you can manage your money - or at least figure out a way to survive another week on $20. It's amazing how different spending is when it's your money (unless you're still completely supported by your parents, in which case, enjoy it)!

5. Choose your Schedule

Unless you're already the CEO of your own company and can wake up when you please, the luxury of choosing your own schedule is truly that - a luxury. Not a morning person? Want to start your weekend on Thursday? You're the boss. In college, you have the freedom to choose your schedule, allowing you to decide when and where you take classes.

6. Speak and Listen

You'll be surrounded by intelligent people who are truly experts in their fields. You're also paying them to teach you, so you might as well listen. Also, a college classroom is much more of an open forum than your high school classroom. Learn to craft an argument and speak your mind!

7. Pick Up and Leave

Whether you're moving from your parent's basement to the dorm 5 minutes away or you're moving across the country, any move is great. In either case, you'll work on your independence. Maybe the school 1,300 miles away isn't for you, but if it is - more power to you. Take advantage of the fact that you can get to know a new city for 4 years. Who knows, it just might end up being your permanent residence.

8. Brighten your Future

What are your personal goals? A successful job? To learn new languages or be part of a book club? To play sports after high school? All of these goals are attainable and will add something unique to your story. College will brighten your future by allowing you to grow. It will shape the person you become.

There you go. 8 reasons to go to college on-campus instead of online.

Beginning The Journey

No matter which direction you are leaning, online or on campus there are two things you'll need to help you on your way. The first is financial aid! Did you know that free scholarships are available to everyone, regardless of income, age, gender or race? I've found 3 of them that you can apply for in less than 3 minutes each Best Free College Scholarships.

The second is access to easily comparable college information including what majors are offered (online and on campus), demographics, costs and what financial aid is available (scholarships, grants and work study). Fortunately, some really good free guides are available. I've compiled and reviewed my favorites and you can benefit from my research here Free College Guides.

About The Author

A determined single mother, Betty Saunders has made it her mission to gather and review the best college resources available so that your collegiate journey can be as easy as possible.

Tips For Choosing the Best Graduate Schools

As you consider graduate schools, you need to weigh several factors. Grad program rankings are important, but equally important is whether or not graduate school will help you meet your career goals.

Find out what recent graduates are doing. The investment in graduate school should pay off. Were graduates able to get promotions at their current workplaces? Were they able to get better jobs? Did they find work in academia or in industry?

Do the math. If you get into a high-ranking graduate program, you should be proud. But you also need to make sure that the prestige translates into jobs later on, especially if you have to pay your way through the program. Some of the companies who hire in specific fields don't care where you got your degree, only that you have it. But, if you plan on going into academia, where you get your degree is crucial.

Ask about face time. In graduate school, the connections you make are just as valuable as what you learn, sometimes even more so when you are looking for jobs. Before you take on the graduate school admission process at a specific school, find out if the professors are accessible. Are they known for helping graduate students finish their theses or dissertations? Working with a scholar who has a big-league reputation is nice, but it doesn't matter much if he never talks to you.

Is the program flexible? The best graduate school for you may not be the most prestigious. If you want to work while attending school so you can keep your benefits and maintain your 401(k) contributions, then you should look for programs with night and weekend classes or consider online graduate schools.

Put your own needs first when looking at graduate schools. It's all about fit. If you get into the right graduate program, then your career has more potential to grow.

For more information on graduate schools, visit the career and money section of Life123.com.

New Upcoming Colleges Flaunt Upgraded Facilities

Some fifteen years back, a regular degree course in the field of arts, science or commerce had much value as compared to today. Well, the reason behind this big change is the gaining popularity of professional courses. The professional courses have been playing a crucial role in the Indian education and training arena. Today instead of enrolling themselves to regular BA, B.Com or B.Sc courses students prefer to study BBA, BCA or any such vocational degree courses in Information Technology (IT), Computer Science, Bio Technology, etc. Despite comparatively higher fee structure, the popularity of professional courses has been growing by leaps and bounds in India.

Admission processes continue to be rigorous in most colleges and universities today and typically the top colleges and institutes witness a massive rush of applicants. Since everyone wants to join a premier and prestigious college, they many a time ignore other new and upcoming institutes which are providing equally good, if not better, education and training.

The new and upcoming technical and management institutes especially are racing against each other in offering high quality professional courses which open up better employment opportunities for the students in future. Moreover, it has been noticed that during campus interviews, firms and companies seek students from professional courses, preferably with a specialization in a particular discipline.

There are several disciplines in which professional courses are offered such as Computer Science, Business Management, MBA, Teaching, Academic Courses, Law Courses, Medical & Pharma, Accounts & Finance, Event Management Courses, Engineering, Technical, Media & Entertainment Language Courses, Hotel Management, PhD and Research, Travel & Tourism Management etc.

Plus, new courses are being introduced almost every year. The professional courses in India can be of different durations such as short-term, long-term, part-time or full time courses. The courses can be classified in different categories such as degree, certificate or diploma courses.

Today the education and training sector is growing so rapidly that every urban and semi-urban region boasts of technical and management training institutes. From the metros to the suburbs, from the Tier-II cities to smaller towns and the highways, the Indian landscape is becoming dotted with newly developed institutes that boast of a wide campus area, modern infrastructure, state of the art facilities and teaching aids and qualified faculties.

There are some essential eligibility criteria through which the students need to pass before they can enroll themselves in the professional courses. These criteria are designed to ensure that only students who are capable of undergoing the rigorous training involved in these courses should be admitted.

Hence, when you are choosing your training institute, don't limit your choice to just the historically prestigious colleges or the branded ones. There are plenty of more choices available which provide equally good training and career opportunities

Dr. I.T. Group of Institutes, an interactive higher education institution is offering regular courses in MBA, MCA, BCA, BBA, B.Sc (IT) and B.Sc (ATHM).Dr. I.T Group of Institutes was launched with a vision to harness the precious human talent for the welfare of the country and the world at large.

Back to School College List - 5 Must Haves For College Living

If this is the year that back to school means sending your baby to college for the first or last time, or some year in between, you surely continue to be on the look out for those things that will help your child have the best experience possible - both academically and health wise.

There are an endless number of things that you can send with your student, but sending these 5 items can have a wonderfully positive effect on the success your student will experience this year!

Wireless Handheld Devices - Even though leaving for college space (both physically and figuratively) between you and your child, a phone for calls and text messaging, a Blackberry, a laptop, or all of the above make it easy and more likely that you will keep in reasonable contact with your child.

These are all also good in emergencies that may arise far away from the usual sources of help. Most of these devices have GPS (global positioning system) embedded so that locating them can be done quickly and accurately should your child become stranded in a really remote location.

Compact Refrigerator - Many companies now rent these by the semester or school year which means enjoying the convenience without having to transport it back and forth between home and school. Refrigeration makes it easy for your student to stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables, and healthier alternatives to sodas that are often high in sugar, salt, and other additives.

Over the Counter Medication and Toiletries - Having a small supply of medications on hand for minor problems such as headaches, stomach upset, cuts, scrapes, burns, congestion, colds and coughs can help take care of problems while they're small. A thermometer, either old fashioned or high tech is a good thing to have handy as well. Having these items on hand is always more convenient and often less expensive.

Desk and Supplies - Check to determine whether a desk and chair are provided in the room. If not, ask for the size of the space to insure that the desk you choose will fit. Send the usual supplies such as a printer, paper, stapler, staples, pens, markers, and highlighters to insure a well prepared student. A lamp that provides light on the desk but does not light the entire room will go a long way towards changing a roommate to a friend.

Housekeeping Items - At least 2 sets of bed linens, blankets, rugs, curtains, posters and wall art, TV, DVD player, radio alarm clock will make for a seamless adjustment to college life.

One of the most important items every college dorm room should have is an air purifier. With the increase of number of people college students are exposed to, the number of viruses and germs that are airborne and available for inhalation and/or ingestion are staggering.

With the ongoing threat of viruses like Swine Flu (H1N1), removing airborne pollutants to which many viruses attach to in the air is a proactive way to increase your student's chances of staying healthy.

PurerAir.com offers an excellent air purifier for the college dorm room to increase your student's chances of staying healthy-- the Dorm Room Air Purifier See it now at http://purerair.com/dorm_air_purifier.html.

Choosing the Right Educational Program For You

There are many prominent differences between adults and children in regards to their learning factors. There are two different learning models categorized for adults and children. The adult learning model, andragogy, and the children's model, pedagogy, clearly demonstrate the differences. These learning models show how continuing your education by working toward online degrees is an excellent option for adults.

One of the most important differences is that while children usually need the assistance of an in-person teacher in order to learn properly and to do well, adults do not have this need. Adults are capable of learning on their own, knowing what needs to be done and processing the information, as well as being motivated and self-disciplined enough to carry out these tasks. Continuing your education online offers the average adult more options of being proficient and timely. Achieving your goal of an online degree and education does not require supervision or in-person help.

Another reason why online degree programs are appropriate for an adult's continuing education is the difference between his general schedule and the schedule of a youngster. Most adults today have very busy schedules. Many need to balance a job and family responsibilities at the same time. Online education offers the adults a simpler way of taking classes at a local university or college. This helps them fit their education needs into their busy schedules. An online degree program will give you the opportunity to fit your studying time into your schedule. There are programs available for any busy lifestyle, we make it easy for you to continue your education no matter how demanding your life may be. Online programs offer convenient studies for you to help accommodate your daily life.

Learning is also different for adults because adults have a different purpose for learning. While children may not take learning as seriously as they should, and not retain all they have been taught, learning which is intended for a specific purpose is easier, more focused, and more readily retained.

The continuing education program for online degrees target mostly the adults, because it helps fit their everyday needs. Whether you are considering a degree solely for personal enrichment, as a means to advance in your job, or are thinking about beginning a new career, online learning is education at its best. A world of opportunities is at your fingertips with a continuing education program that is perfect for you.

Copyright (c) 2009 Johney Maron

Johney Maron is a author who has an interest in adult college ministries. Colorado Christian University (CCU) provides students with the education they need in today's growing business world. CCU offers both adult undergraduate degrees, and adult masters degrees. From amazing Colorado Campus' to it's online education programs, CCU makes every effort to make it possible for everyone to obtain the education they are looking for.

How to Save More Money in College

Saving money in college is extremely important. You want to make sure that you are able to keep your money for as long as possible, to pay food and books. There are a few tips that you can use to save the most money possible in your college experience.

The first step to avoid paying out for your college experience is to eat at the dorm. Most people live there, you probably do too! Take advantage of the food that you paid for and do not spend your hard earned dollars on eating out at McDonald's or another fast food establishment. Sure, they might be convenient, but the money does add up!

The second step to avoid paying out for your college experience is to buy your books online. A number of college freshman go into the college bookstore and purchase the required books off the shelf. You do not have to do this! Simply find the books that you need online and purchase them at about half of the cost of new versions.

Financial aid can be one of the best things that you can get. It is most often free money that you will never have to pay back. Do not forget to apply for the FASFA or additional scholarships that could give you more money. Only apply for scholarships that you have a good chance at winning, as there are thousands of scholarships you could apply for.

Avoiding eating out, buying your books online and applying for financial aid can save you a boat load of money in college. Do not forget to take advantage of as many of these tips as you can!

Todd Day writes for College Source 101 dot us. I invite you to come and visit the College Source website. We are one of the best resources to help you find the perfect college. Come visit us at http://collegesource101.us

Earn a Bachelors Degree in Nursing

Are you one of those who like caring for others or have deep sense of service to mankind? Are you one of those who always wanted to make a mark in the healthcare service? If so, then perhaps the time has come when you need to start thinking about earning a bachelor degree in nursing. Getting or gaining a bachelor degree in nursing can open up a whole galaxy of job opportunities. Today the field of nursing is regularly in need of well trained professionals, which ultimately indicates that by choosing a nursing degree you will always have an employment opportunity just around the corner.

Present scenario

Looking at the current situation, in last couple of years medical technology has changed at a fast pace. Besides this, the number of medical centers or hospitals is growing at gradual speed. Consequently, new positions for qualified nurses are emerging and so obtaining a nursing degree is turning out to be a winning proposition. Apart from this, the requirements for getting a job in the nursing field are getting even stricter. Attaining a diploma from a nursing school is no longer enough. In fact, if you want a nursing job that pays you well, you must think about going for an advanced or bachelor degree in nursing.

Better future prospects

Accomplishing an advanced degree in nursing can help you find surprising doors opening to boost your career. Today, many hospitals are recruiting nurses who have completed at least a B.S. in Nursing for their charge nurse and head nurse positions. A bachelor degree in nursing can also put you in the running for other management jobs, as well as for specialized jobs like Trauma Center nursing, pediatric nursing, psychiatric nursing or nutritional counseling. In addition to all this, the major benefit of attaining a bachelor nursing degree is it even helps you command higher salaries. Nurses with an advanced degree can earn, on average, 20% to 40% more than non-degreed nurses, even in the same position. Moreover, in many hospitals or healthcare institutes a nursing degree is a requirement for some of the highest paying jobs in nursing. Those jobs include head nurse and management jobs, industrial nursing jobs and nursing jobs in state and federal Public Health departments.

Nursing School

Today the career opportunities are unlimited after getting a nursing degree and so choosing a nursing degree from reputed nursing school also play a vital factor. This career requires proper practical and clinical training. Consequently you should have clear information about the kind of practical lessons that nursing school plans to provide you. In nursing school, you will be given lessons on various health education and medicines by qualified doctors, experienced nurses, and educators. As a result, you must also make enquiries about the school. It is better to take a school that meets the values of education set by a national accrediting organization.

Certainly, nursing is an excellent career opportunity if you are looking to move into a different career. In coming years, the demand for qualified and trained nurses will grow and with this attaining a bachelor degree of nursing can give your nursing career an edge. The rewards of nursing are numerous, but in long lasting career you will find significant satisfaction in helping other people who need your assistance.

Browse the list of top programs for bachelor of science in nursing and top nursing schools in US and Canada at NursingSchoolsU.com. Choose the best nursing program and college for you and start your career in nursing today.

How Do I Choose My College Major?

There are few decisions as important in life as what you study in college. The right decision can be the start of a long, prosperous and fulfilling career. The wrong choice, however, can lead to endless frustration, regret and lost opportunities. While there is no magic formula for choosing the correct major that will work with all students, my experience studying in three nationally recognized universities including an Ivy League Masters Program has enabled me to take part in numerous discussions regarding this topic. I hope the insights and lessons I've learned from both my own experience and my fellow students help those in the midst of this difficult decision.

Think Big Picture

One of the first things that one should do when deciding on a degree choice is to think about where you want to be 5, 10 and even 20 years down the line. If you know you want to be the CEO of an internet company 10 years from now, majoring in drama, while fun, might not be the best choice. Likewise if you want to be a doctor, choosing an English major obviously isn't going to be leading you in the right direction.

This might seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how many students actually have a very good idea of what they want to do after college yet don't think about what classes and undergraduate major they need to do today in order to qualify and prepare them for what they want to do after or to get into the right graduate program. If you have a specific goal in mind for a career, it is important to do your research and find out from established professionals that already are successful in that career exactly what their path was.

In some cases, such as the path of 'professional' careers such as being a lawyer or doctor, this is obvious. But in others it might not be. For instance, how does one become a nuclear physicist? How about a film director? A real estate developer or entrepreneur? There are many fascinating and exciting career choices that don't have an obvious path and it's best to do your 'homework' to figure out that path now when you're just starting out so you don't go in the wrong direction.

Do What You Love

I'm a firm believer in this statement. Each of us has our own natural strengths, abilities and talents. While there are some people that have families or parents that insist they take part in a particular course of study even if they don't want to, in my experience this rarely works out. Eventually, unless you really want something for yourself you'll either sabotage yourself or be miserable in what you're doing.

By doing what you love you accomplish a few things. First of all you ensure you'll enjoy what you're studying so even hard work won't seem like a chore. Second, you'll prevent having regrets and won't be a 40 or 50 year old looking back and saying 'if only I had studied that'. Third, by doing what you love you already know you have the natural ability and mindset to do well in that field or else you would have already found it a struggle and lost interest.

What Comes Naturally?

What if you're not one of those people that have a burning passion in one area and haven't known what you want to do since you were a kid? What if you need to figure out a 'practical' career? Most students fall into this category and the best way to approach figuring out what to major in is to keep these two things in mind. What are you naturally good at and where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Are you the kind of person that gets along easily with other people or do you prefer to be alone? Are you competitive and love the pressure of competition or do you prefer to work at your own pace? Are you an intellectual that loves to read and delve into subjects or do you prefer to learn a little about lots of things? By asking yourself these kinds of questions and then comparing them to the daily job experience of various careers you can start to get a picture of what careers you could see yourself working in. Once you know this you simply work backwards and figure out what degree will best prepare you for that career. Again, you'll need to do your 'homework' as to the path of that career.

There are many different 'theories' of how to go about choosing a career. There are career 'tests' you can take and guidance counselors to talk to. Obviously, speaking with friends and relatives and parents can also expose you to different ideas for careers. Most of all, try to find something that feels natural and is something you enjoy. It is after all, what you'll be spending the most time studying for the next few years.

Make sure to stop by http://www.BachelorDegree.me for more great articles and insight.

Distance Learning Degree - How it Can Hurt You

Here are 3 things to look for in a distance education degree program.

Does the College or University Only Offer Online Degrees? - Schools who only offer degrees online lose a degree of reputability. Once your school has developed a reputation as offering only online degrees. The degrees themselves start to lose their credibility. Once you go to obtain a job or continue your education with graduate school. You may find it difficult, if not impossible to continue. It is best to find a University that is a state school or at least a reputable private school. You want to be sure that the degree doesn't mention anything about you taking your courses online or through distance education. Make sure your degree will look the same as every other on campus student.

Make Sure the School is Regionally Accredited - There are many types of accreditation. The main types of accreditation are national and regional accreditation. Make sure the school you attend is regionally accredited. That is the most legitimate accreditation. With regional accreditation you can be sure that your courses will transfer more easily to other schools and that your school has passed rigorous accreditation analysis.

Cost - Schools vary widely in their tuition costs. Some state schools in low income areas might only charge $100 per credit while private schools can charge upwards of $500 per credit or more. Compare costs before you decide which school is best for you. Also, make sure the school you are attending offers financial aid for distance education learners. Some schools don't offer financial aid to their online degree seekers.

See my List of Reputable Universities With Online Degree Programs. I have spent many hours searching for legitimate, reputable colleges and universities who offer degrees online or through distance education. Most of the schools on my list are state schools and universities as well. Visit http://Gradwise.org/Online_Degree_Programs.shtml for more information.

Many People Both Young and Old Have Chosen to Go Beyond a High School EducationSo you're considering going to college to acquire the skills and knowle

So you're considering going to college to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to ride these tough economic times?

Many people both young and old have chosen to go beyond a high school education in order to earn a Bachelor's or even Master's degree that can help them get financially ahead in their life.

However, deciding on the best college program can be difficult as there are many options.

Consider Your Educational and Career Goals

One of the things to look at when choosing a college program is your educational and career goals. Picture yourself ten years from this moment and try to envision yourself set in a career or working at a job that you absolutely love.

Is this job related to internet technology, is it counseling people, is it managing people or a business, or is it figuring out where people went wrong on their taxes? If you know what you'd like to be working on in 10 years then all you have to do is find a college that fits those future goals.

Navigating the sea of colleges, though, can be very difficult.

There are traditional colleges and universities as well as online college programs that offer you the convenience of earning your degree entirely online!

If getting accepted into a traditional state or private college is what you want to do then the first place you should look is a college department website. Often colleges will have lists of courses available so that you can match up your goals to see if you like what the college has to offer.

On the other hand, there are also online colleges and universities that offer everything from technical and hospitality programs all the way to teacher certification programs. These college programs can be found relatively quickly just by searching the web for online programs in the area you want.

After all is said and done, though, chances are that you should be able to find something that you'd like to do as far as your education is concerned. Today colleges and universities are diversifying more so anyone can have the chance to obtain an educational degree very quickly and efficiently!

If you are looking to go beyond a high school education and don't know where to start -> CLICK HERE.

Here is a FREE resource you can download, to over 1,900 college and Universities! freeeducationguide2009.info

Transitions For the College Bound Student

Are you a senior in high school about ready to make the transition to college? Are you completely excited yet also incredibly terrified of what will happen? If so, take comfort in the fact that you are not the only one experiencing the ups and downs of transitioning to college. Most likely, all your friends are right there with you!

Being in college means something different for everyone. Maybe college means new opportunity, new friends, and a new life experience. Maybe college is a way to get away from your family that you don't get along with, or maybe college is the next step in your passion for learning. Transitioning to college brings multiple meanings and multiple emotions, not only for you, but also for your friends and family that have watched you grow and become ready for the college transition.

Your parents, most likely, make different meaning of your transition than you do, and your friends may have different ideas about why they want to go to college and what they want the summer to look like before everyone goes their separate ways. Regardless of meaning you may find yourself asking questions like "Will I like my major? What happens if I don't do well in what I love to do? What if I don't know what I want to do? Am I wasting time because I don't know what I want to do for the rest of my life?"

My encouragement to you is to allow yourself to ask these questions and really begin exploring your passions. The transition to college brings multiple other transitions like discovering who you are apart from your family and friends, discovering your talents that you didn't know existed, and learning how to manage your time without a teacher reminding you of your responsibilities. Some new college students learn how to manage money for the first time or do laundry all by themselves. The move to college is more than changing location, it's about learning, growing, and discovering the uniqueness of you. Below, you will find suggestions on how to make this transition easier.

1. Allow yourself to be nervous or confused. The college atmosphere is much different than your home atmosphere and it will take time to adjust and settle into a new routine.

2. Try new things during your first months at school. What you loved growing up and what you were good at during high school is not necessarily what you will want to do forever. Be adventurous and discover what else you love.

3. Do something because you want to, not because you think it would make your family proud or your friends happy, but because it will make you happy.

4. Be curious about the person you want to become. College is about developing a new identity or solidifying the identity you already have. Don't be afraid to notice the changes in yourself.

Because the transition to college and the first months at college bring increased emotion and chaos, I encourage you to speak with a counselor about your experience. If you notice that you are having difficulty making the transition during the summer or find yourself completely lost once you have arrived at college, make an appointment with a counselor in your area. The Lotus Group has many counselors who were once in your position and can help bring stability and insight to your transition. Give us a call at 595-5555 to schedule an appointment. We would love to speak with you.

While Douglas Scott continues to work on his psychology degree he finds therapy to be most beneficial. For more information on Indianapolis therapy visit LotusGroup.biz

Mind Mapping and Note Taking Strategies For Exam Revision

Definition of Mind Mapping
Mind mapping involves the use of a Mind Map to represent ideas and concepts in a visual form where the central theme or topic is located at the centre of the mind map and subtopics are arranged around a central keyword or idea.

Mind Maps are considered one of the most effective note taking strategies and a number of different mind mapping software tools exist to facilitate the creation of mind maps.

Why create Mind Maps
Mind mapping is the most effective way of learning, generating new ideas, summarizing and organising information you want to recall. Mind maps can also facilitate creativity, problem solving, decision making and the generation of new ideas.

They are a great tool when revising for exams as they enable you to see how the different topics and concepts are associated and provide visual cues which are great for quickly reviewing a subject before an exam and recalling information that would normally be lost from your long term memory.

How to create a Mind Map for revision
Lets say you want to use Mind Mapping to revise for an exam. It is a good idea to first determine how much knowledge of the subject you already have. This will help when you want to build upon that knowledge later by developing associations and connections from the knowledge you have already gained.

Obtain a large sheet of paper and write down the subject or topic you are revising for at the centre of the sheet. Then write down the main subtopics related to that central topic by creating branches moving out from the central keyword. Add sub- branches to these subtopics containing keywords or short phrases summarizing key ideas that you can recall from memory and try to see how the different sub-topics and elements are associated.

You should avoid the temptation to write in sentences. Linear note taking uses this method and it is very ineffective for recalling important information. Try to include no more then 4 words when summarizing an idea or concept. If you can sum up an idea with one word then that is even better. Use plenty of colour and images to make key topics stand out with larger writing and images for the main topics that are nearer the centre of the Mind Map and smaller writing and images for those on the outside of the Mindmap. This will help your mind to visually organize the key topics from the sub-topics.

When you believe you have recalled as much of the topic as possible then speed read books related to your subject so that you can quickly determine the different categories that the topic is composed of. Don't forget to look at the content pages of the books to get a broad summary of the different sub-topics and elements of the subject you are studying. This will help you to focus on the most important information when reading the subject in greater detail.

Prioritise those books that provide the most valuable information you require for passing the exam and read those books in depth.

Now add more detail to your Mind Map by adding branches and keywords and phrases after reading each category or section. These keywords or phrases should encapsulate the main ideas and sub-topics.

This will aid in recalling the information you have just read, will help to maintain important knowledge in your long term memory and will greatly assist when reviewing the subject before the exam.

Don't forget to keep adding to your Mind Map after gaining knowledge that you consider important for the exam. Your Mind Map should become larger over time and more branches should be created moving even further from the central topic. Your Mind Map should become more detailed so make sure you use a large sheet of paper. Keep reviewing your Mind Map every few days to reinforce the information you have learned.

When you get closer to the exam you should be able to recall in detail the knowledge gained by glancing at your Master Mind Map which should now contain a detailed summary of an entire subject or topic.

The images will greatly assist in recalling information at a glance and the Mind Map itself will help you to see how all the elements and sub-topics are associated and ordered. The mind works best via association and images.

When the mind can get a broad perspective of a subject and can understand how the different topics are associated and ordered this is the most effective method for learning and recalling information. Also the images give more mental 'hooks' for the mind to latch onto and so aid in recall.

Good luck with your exams. However if you have taken my advice you wont need it.

Ashley is a Mind Mapping researcher who has just started a blog to educate people on the benefits of Mind Mapping and is a keen user and promoter of Mind Mapping software

How to Use Certificate of Deposits As Part of Your College Savings Strategy

The cost of college education increases at a rate that far exceeds inflation. It is also much greater than the average rate of return your savings and investments are getting, which makes it difficult to save enough money to keep up with the ever-increasing costs of higher education.

Saving for your child's higher education is a challenge faced by most families regardless of their income levels - but the money you save now will help prevent your son or daughter from graduating under a mountain of school loans they will struggle to pay for many years after leaving college. If you want to help your child graduate in something other than debt, here are some tips for developing a strong college savings strategy that includes certificate of deposits:

Start Saving for College As Early As Possible
The key to saving for college is to start when the children are young. The earlier you start saving the more time your money has to grow. Many people invest in riskier options when their children are young in an effort to increase their earnings, and figuring they have more time to recover if their risks don't pay off financially. As children get older and approach their college years, your choice of savings and investment vehicles are likely to move to less risky options in order to prevent the loss of money.

Risk Free Savings Strategy: Certificate of Deposits
Once you've saved up a sizable amount of money for your child's education, you might think about using fixed-rate certificate of deposits to give those savings a chance to grow risk-free until you need to use them to pay for college expenses.

When you open a certificate of deposit with your college savings, you will earn interest in exchange for agreeing to leave your money alone for a specific period of time. Once the money is in a CD, you don't have easy access to it. It's not completely impossible to withdraw money from a certificate of deposit before it matures, but it's certainly not recommended to take it out early because you will pay penalty fees and lose money in the process.

Depending how many years your child has before starting college, you can select a certificate of deposit with as little as three months to five years (or more) until it reaches it's maturity date. The longer the CD term, the higher interest your savings will earn. You may find using certificate of deposits as part of your college savings allows you to diversify and increase the amount of money your savings earns. While your saved money is held in a certificate of deposit waiting for it to reach it's maturity date, you can continue saving money in money market funds, high interest savings accounts, 529 plans, or Coverdell Education Funds to increase the amount of money you have when your child approaches their college years.

CD Laddering Increases Saving Potential and Access to Funds
Creating CD ladders may be a reasonable college savings strategy, as well. Once you have saved enough money through other means, you can withdraw it and open multiple certificate of deposit accounts with different maturity dates. By staggering the maturity dates of the certificate of deposit products you open, you can gain access to the money at pre-determined intervals. Plan it right, and you can have certificate of deposits maturing right before each of your college semesters begin, and gain access to money to pay for tuition and expenses right as you need it each semester.

Debra Dragon is a freelance writer for DepositAccounts.com. She writes about how to make your money work better for you through various deposit accounts, including savings accounts, interest checking accounts, IRAs, and money market funds.

Accredited Distance Learning - An Option For the Gifted Child

Whether your gifted child is enrolled in a traditional school or a homeschool, finding enrichment to meet his individual needs can be a challenge. Many traditional schools simply cannot meet the individual needs of a gifted child and parents end up scrambling to try to find enrichment opportunities. Many homeschool parents find it an overwhelming challenge to try to meet the extraordinary needs of their gifted child. One viable option for many gifted students is an accredited distance learning program.

A variety of distance learning opportunities are available for your gifted child. In evaluating these options, take some time to first define what you're looking for in a distance learning program. Most gifted children have specific areas of interest or expertise. Be sure to identify those areas of interest and look for programs with strength and depth in their course offerings.

Look for distance learning opportunities that are more than just courses that require a student to acquire a bunch of facts. Gifted learners thrive in environments that require higher level critical thinking skills and encourage exploration and experimentation. You'll want to find a distance learning course that provides your gifted learner the opportunity to interact with his teacher to a large degree. This can be through email or through the distance learning website, but it should also include real time interactions, whether through instant messaging or by phone. You'll want to see that the teachers are flexible and encourage independent thought and action. These are important when dealing with gifted learners.

Be sure that this distance learning course offers students the ability to interact with each other. Gifted students often thrive in settings where they can collaborate with other students and where they can learn from them as well. Courses that offer large degrees of interaction and encourage community building can create meaningful learning communities that are exciting for your gifted student to be a part of. This sort of atmosphere and encouragement can be so important to your gifted student. They may not have been able to find that in a traditional school environment or in a homeschool environment. This might afford them their first taste of finding a learning community where they not only fit in, but also thrive.

Be sure that student interaction is monitored by the course teacher or by the school. You'll want to know that a teacher is overseeing community message boards and virtual classroom sessions and that the rules of the school are being adhered to. Understand the policies set forth by the school for proper etiquette in using these boards and in interacting during class time. You want to ensure that this learning environment is safe for your child.

You'll need to make sure that the distance learning school you choose for your gifted learner is an accredited institution. Schools are accredited through a governing body, such as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WACS). In order to achieve accreditation status, the schools must provide information about their school and submit to a monitoring process. Taking courses from an accredited distance learning school will ensure that your child will be able to use those courses in the college admissions process.

To learn more about a quality, distance learning program for the gifted and talented, please visit Laurel Springs School. Laurel Springs School is an accredited, college prep private school offering distance learning programs and teacher services for students in grades K-12. Laurel Springs uses web-based communication tools, a standards-based curriculum, and personalized instruction to offer students the highest quality home education experience based on your child's learning style.

Want a Nursing Degree? What You Should Know Before Applying to a Nursing School Program!

Admission requirements for colleges vary, and so while applying for nursing school one has to be very vigilant. It depends mainly upon whether you are applying to a private school or a public institution; whether you are applying for a 2 years course or for 4 years course; and if you are applying through common application or not.

Admission requirements of an institute vary from the values and even the size of the institution. The students applying for nursing schools are generally accessed with their grades in academics, their intended major grades, class rank, personal statement, ACT or SAT marks and what the high school counselor has to say about them.

Preference to students

While applying for nursing school remember, that the institutions give preference to those students who are from the same state. Some institutes prefer SAT qualified students while some want a proof to immunization of certain diseases.

Emotional stability individuals who have the ability to make decision are preferred. They have to be physically fit and should be able to speak, read and write English in a proper manner. The colleges also check for any kind of past criminal background. Also, many students applying for nursing school get early enrollment because of their scholastic excellence in their initial high school years.

Requirements of nursing schools

Each school has certain requirements that each applicant should be able to meet. These requirements include having chemistry and biology as subjects initially. Also, the applicant should have English as his subject and should be able to manage the attendance criteria profoundly.

Armed with these facts, one can easily fill the common application for a nursing degree. The applications must be filled with the required date. When applying for nursing school, along with the application form, one has to attach high school transcripts and needs to pay a non refundable fee of application, which may anywhere between $25-30. You may also use internet services, for applying for nursing school.

Click here for tons of information on Nursing School Programs!

Finding the Perfect Student Organization For You

Looking for a way to meet people in college? Think about joining a club. There are tons of student organizations on most college campuses and all of them have something different to offer members. But choosing which group is right for you can be challenging for a new student on campus. Try the following techniques to find the best fit.

Ask around

If you're new on campus, you probably won't know about any student organizations unless you're from the area. This means you'll have to do your homework on campus clubs. It's a good idea to learn all you can about a group before you commit to joining. Ask upperclassmen about which student organizations are most active on campus and which ones might be best avoided. Your resident advisor is a good resource for this sort of information.

Attend activities fairs

Most colleges hold some sort of expo the first week or two of school to introduce new students to the different groups on campus. If you want to join a club, it would be silly for you not to go to this. All the organizations on campus will be there with information about what they do and how to get involved. Club members will be there too, so you can see what kind of people are involved in each organization and determine if you'd be compatible.

Stop by a few meetings

Student organizations' general meetings tend to be open to anyone. If you're thinking about joining a specific group, find out when they hold meetings and drop in. Especially if it's a larger group, this shouldn't be a problem.

Look online

If you know what type of organization you'd like to join but aren't sure what exactly is out there, check your school's Web site. Most colleges have a department in student affairs that's dedicated to managing student programs; check their Web site for a list of groups on campus. For example, you may know you want to join an art group but aren't sure what is available. You should be able to find the names and contact information for all art groups online.

Think about club sports

Sports groups are great options for people looking to make friends while being active. You don't have to be very athletic to join a club sport; most groups will train new members, and some club sports, like ultimate Frisbee, are made up of people with varying skills levels. If you know you want to get involved but are unsure of which group to join, club sports are a good choice.

Extend your high school clubs to college

Some high school groups have college equivalents. If you enjoyed being in a certain organization in high school, do some research to see if there's a similar college group out there for you. For example, student government is an organization that's always around in both high school and college. And high school service organizations sometimes have college counterparts.

Remember: if you don't like a club that you join, you can always choose to leave it. So you've really got nothing to lose. Get out there and get involved on campus!

Tawan Perry is a dynamic speaker and award-winning author. He is author of College Sense: What College and High School Advisors Don't Tell You about College. He topics range from student leadership, college access, college success, and diversity. Visit him online at http://www.tawanperry.com

Professors - Use Timers in the Classroom (For Your Students and For Yourself) - Increase Focus

When you teach in the college classroom, it's hard to keep track of the time. This is true during lecture, Q & A portions, learning activities with your students, student presentations, and yes...even breaks during long classes.

I got started using timers when I was still teaching at the university. Since nearly all of my classes met for three hours at a time, we always had a break mid-way through the session. It was easy for me to lose track of time because I was talking with students, answering questions from individuals, or handling concerns of groups who were working together.

To help keep *me* on track (and of course, to make sure students were getting their money's worth from me by having a full class session), I started using timers created on PowerPoint. Originally, I just created "break" timers but then later, I found other ways to use timers in the classroom. Students responded well because they knew exactly how much time they had remaining. It also helped me feel more relaxed about taking the time with students that they were allowed rather than frantically looking at my watch and trying to remember what time the break had started.

I tended to use numerous cooperative and collaborative learning experiences within the class time and wanted students to stay focused on their tasks (instead of veering off into chit-chat, which could happen if they felt that had all the time in the world to complete their tasks). Using a timer that was displayed at the front of the room helped them feel a sense of urgency and to begin to bring their learning responsibility to a close as the time "ticked" by. This eliminated the frantic, "Wait, Dr. McIntosh! We're not finished yet." I was able to move smoothly between and among the student groups, glancing at the timer as needed. If I sensed that not enough time had been allocated for the task, then it was easy enough to go to the computer to readjust the time remaining.

A third use for timers are the using them during tests. It's rather jarring to students' concentration if you are booming out every few minutes, "30 minutes remaining," or "You have 10 more minutes," and the like. By creating a timer that displayed the time beginning at 1 hour, then showing it by ten-minute increments until it gets to the final 10 minutes, it helped students to glance up periodically and keep themselves on track.

You may create any number of different timers for yourself or feel free to access the ones.

that are available at no charge on http://meggin.com/DownloadsTimers.php

We might as well all keep sharing and investing our time where it makes the most sense. Enjoy these and enjoy your students and your classes!

If you want tips to help you keep moving forward on your goals for more peaceful, predictable productivity, I hope you'll join others (worldwide) who receive Meggin's weekly emails (and see what is available for download at no cost at the following website):

**Top Ten Productivity Tips (http://www.TopTenProductivityTips.com)

(c) 2009 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!

Advantages of a College Education

In today's global economy looking for a job can be tough and getting one can be even harder. With so much competition for the few jobs that you are looking for can mean that competitors will go that extra mile to obtain that job and become a part of a workforce. So what can you do to open up more opportunities for your career in the industry that you want to work in?

How about a college education? Many consider a college education a great way to kick start a career in a chosen path. Colleges will provide you with the skills and knowledge that you need to start in the industry of your choice. Whist undertaking the courses you will gain knowledge and get experience from those who can be a great source of information.

A college education will provide you with many benefits over those who aren't fortunate or do not choose to undertake such a qualification. One such advantage can be the availability of jobs. With stronger competition for jobs the employers can afford to be more selective and you may find that a higher education will give you the edge on any competition applying for the job. To a potential employer a completed college qualification will show them that you are able to study, complete tasks that have been set, meet deadlines and work towards and reach a goal. This allows them to see that you are able of undertaking long term work and stay on the job until complete. Some college courses involve working in a team and this will also show the employer that you are able to integrate well with others and work well in a team environment.

Undertaking a college course will also allow you to gain any experience that you might need with computers. The work place today is vastly populated with computers in various types of industries from admin assistant to architecture all of which use technology to drive the industry forward.

A completed college course also opens up the opportunity to work in many fields that are just not open to those with out a college education. This is not to say that college provides you with the only way in to an industry but it will certainly open up some doors that other wise will remain locked with out one. Many careers that involve science or engineering require a qualification that shows you are able to undertake such work and alongside practical experience the chance of obtaining such a job becomes far more realistic.

Salary benefits are also something that draws people to a college education. People with a recognised qualification can climb up the ladder in a company, usually faster than those without any such experience as this can show you are willing to work hard and focus on the task in hand.

Through these few points it is easy to understand why people are opting for a college education. It's a great was to gain experience and the knowledge that is needed to enter a certain industry and allows any potential employer to see how committed you are to the industry you have chosen to work in.

One college that offers such diverse courses is Northampton College who are one of the popular choices for people looking for Colleges in Northampton.

Visit my online business Blog http://www.onlinebusinessblog.co.uk

The Greek World and Its Benefits

When you hear "Gamma Phi Beta" you are probably like most people and you instantly think of fraternities and sororities. This is because this name and others like it have become synonymous with fun and adventure, but the fact of the matter is that the Greek world that exists at colleges around the country has a lot to offer just about any student. It doesn't matter where you come from, what your major is, or even how old you are, Gamma Phi Beta and other Greek organizations can improve your college experience.

Wondering what Kappa Kappa Gamma or other Greek organizations can do for you? First and foremost, it will give you a place to fit in. Many people who are going to college have a difficult time finding their place. They don't know if they should focus on the academics or the social life or both. When you belong to a Greek organization you instantly have a niche because you have other people around you that you identify with for many different reasons. When you have a place to fit you'll find that it is easier to enjoy all of the aspects of college life.

In addition, Greek organizations are great for the social life. While college is about academics it is also about socializing and getting to know yourself better as well as learning to get along with others. When you belong to a fraternity or sorority you'll find that you always have something to do, somewhere to go, and people to do it with. You have the organization in common and that means that you'll share a lot of the same experiences. You'll meet new people through the fraternity or sorority and you'll simply have a lot of fun. If you are looking to improve your social life this is a great way to do it.

If you want to pump up your post-college resume belonging to Kappa Alpha Theta or another Greek organization is a great way to do it. Through your Greek group you'll find that it is easier to get involved in charitable events and with charity organizations. You'll be able to put all kinds of fun stuff on your resume that will give you a lot of experience and will also make you a very attractive candidate for just about every employer out there. It's important to always be keeping an eye on your future and joining a Greek organization is a great way to do just that while giving you some great memories in the process! There are a lot of different fraternities and sororities to choose from, so see which groups are at your university and think about getting involved, you'll be glad you did!

Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer. When you hear Gamma Phi Beta you are probably like most people and you instantly think of fraternities and sororities. Wondering what Kappa Kappa Gamma or other Greek organizations can do for you? First and foremost, it will give you a place to fit in.

Why College Diversity is Important

According to the US Census, almost one-fifth of the entire population over age five in America speak a language other than English when at home. The same statistic skyrockets to about fifty percent in the Miami area alone.

Another interesting example of diversity is that there's an estimation of about 170 different languages spoken on the streets of New York City. In fact as a result, New York City mayor Bloomberg ordered one hundred city agencies to start providing services in six foreign languages in addition to English. These additional languages are Italian, French, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Russian.

So the reality of today's environment in North America is that ethnic and cultural diversity is here to stay. Whether it's inside offices, factories or outside with customers, we will likely encounter more people from different cultures than ever before.

Colleges and universities in North America are also getting more diverse student populations. Not only have many foreign students have been choosing to attend North American schools for their higher education, US born visible minorities who were children of immigrants from around the world are also making it onto campuses now.

With the additional influx of students from the Native American and African American communities as well, the campus scene is certainly very different from what is looked like a generation or two ago. But college diversity is not just about differences in race or culture. Americans from the west coast, east coast, mid-west and the south, all have some interesting regional differences. These can also be found on campuses and does represent a form of diversity as well.

With so much diversity on campus these days, colleges need to know how to manage this in order to ensure that diversity becomes a positive rather than a negative experience for students and staff. In fact, arming college students with some skills in the form of diversity education will definitely help them function better in their future careers given today's diverse working world.

Colleges and universities are also businesses. The ones that can effectively target foreign students will become popular institutions of choice from this overseas market. Companies that ignore the need for both market and workplace diversity education will soon lose out in the modern business world of today. Forward thinking companies will recruit and retain the best overall talent. These organizations will also be able to target diverse markets effectively. But companies need people who are well versed with diversity skills to make this happen.

Unfortunately, diversity skills are not usually part of the standard educational curriculums at colleges and universities. However, this represents a huge opportunity for campus activities programmers to help supplement these essential diversity skills for students. Cultural events can be organized where students and staff learn more about different cultures, especially if they are already represented in the student body or staff on campus.

Outside speakers who speak on diversity topics can also be brought in to help students and staff develop diversity skills. These skills will help both students and staff function more effectively in diverse environments.

Clint Cora is a motivational diversity speaker, author and martial arts karate world champion. His book, "The Life Champion In You", is about how to overcome challenges and achieve life success. It is one man's journey from personal tragedy to becoming a karate world champion. More information about his speaking programs, books, videos, articles on diversity, motivation and success can be found at http://www.clintcora.com

Student Success Skills - Making the Most Out of a College Education

Whether you yourself are a student or are the parent of one, regardless of the level of education, building certain student success skills is a crucial part of getting the most out of an education. There are many qualities that can help a student learn, but some are much more helpful than others, and in this brief article we'll take a look at some of the most important characteristics to promote in any student, be they in first grade or a junior in college.

Student success skills can be broken up into four categories - classroom, home, financial and personal. Classroom skills involve abilities like test taking, which includes keeping cool under pressure, working under a time limit, and learning how tests work. Another useful classroom skill is observation - the ability to take notes quickly and clearly, the ability to gather information in a number of ways. There are several types of learning that any student might use: aural, visual, and kinesthetic. Aural learners retain the most information through listening, visual learners get the most out of seeing something, and kinesthetic learners through actually doing something.

Home skills are important after a student has gotten information, as they need to know what to do with it. Examples of home student success skills would be reviewing notes, working on a computer (knowing things such as how to upload and e-mail files and using word processors is a huge help), and avoiding distractions. Having a strong work ethic is also an important part of getting work done at home, and students should train themselves to try and perform a certain amount of studying each night or at least for a few days a week. Students without a proper work ethic often fall behind in studying, and the first thing to go after studying is test scores.

Financial student success skills are more important today than ever before. For the first time reports have come out showing that more students are dropping out of college due to financial reasons than academic. It is important your child receives a practical financial education before heading off to college or your child may return back in debt, with no degree and needing a place to live.

Personal student success skills are somewhat more vague, but can include things like students staying interested in and challenged by their classes, as well as getting to class on time and dividing up their time in a realistic way. Personal responsibility plays a huge part in the independent lifestyle of college, and should be learned early on. Academic coaches can be used to teach students these skills, and personal tutors can have a huge effect on overall performance.

Need help finding more information on how student success skill coaches can cut the cost of college by a third? You can find it at http://www.nyfec.org/, which provides an array of useful academic information.

Skyrocket Your Pay by Enrolling in a Canada Distance Education College

The Canada distance education database came to being as a result of the combined efforts between the Canadian Association for University Continuing Education (CAUCE) and the Ontario Council for University Lifelong Learning (OCULL).

As you may be able to tell by the names of these groups, the database was set up for those that already have a degree, but need or want continuing education credits.

If you are looking for Canadian distance education and you don't already have a degree, you can choose one of the many universities that offer online courses.

Additional examinations may be required depending on the field that you plan to go into. However, if you want to improve your earning potential, in less time than you may have thought possible, then a distance education online degree is the first place to start.

What kinds of fields can you go into with Canada distance education? Several courses are available on their online distance education websites. Online college courses are particularly valuable for Americans and Canadians that are temporarily out of country.

Whilst credits received from an online college are sometimes not transferable to other schools, it is highly probable that your credits will be accepted, should you decide to go to a conventional university in the future.

The fields that are available for Canadian distance education include business management, criminal justice, security, culinary arts, education, computer sciences, liberal arts, communication, health, psychology, real estate, web design and many others. One, two and four year programs are available. Basically, the sky is the limit to what you can learn.

There are many reasons why people choose Canadian distance education. You might have a full-time job that prevents you from attending regularly scheduled classes. You might have a family that needs your attention. Online programs make the whole matter simpler. You learn at your own pace, when it is convenient for you.

In case you need convincing, there are many reasons to go back to school. You have taken the first step by searching for Canada distance education. Now, it is time to commit. Why?

The current state of the world economy is "rough". Those people with degrees will be able to find and hold jobs, through these difficult times. A Canadian distance education program can allow you to compete, without interfering with what you already have.

Recent reports suggest that particular degrees will be in increasing demand in the foreseeable future. Health care degrees are number one on everyone's list of "best choices", largely because of increasingly high numbers of elderly people. Canada distance education could allow you to find a satisfying healthcare career.

If healthcare is not your "thing", many other popular programs such as IT, are also available and will continue to be offered. A Canadian distance education degree in an IT field will allow you to qualify for those jobs, when they are available. Right now, there are plenty of them.

The tuition fees of Canada distance education schools is comparable to that of traditional universities. In some instances, the costs are less. Colleges need students, as much as you need an education. Don't put it off. Apply now.

Don't simply accept being unskilled and lowly paid. Get with the program and greatly increase your career prospects with a widely accepted Canada Online Distance Education Degree

What is Comparative Criminal Justice?

• A subfield of criminal justice
• Area focused on the study/comparison of justice systems around the world
• A subfield that uses descriptive, historical and political approaches to the study of crime
• Study of criminal transformations over time

Depending on your interest and future career aspirations you could examine the law and legal systems across nations, focus on the study of law enforcement from the global perspective or the study of corrections and punishment.

Comparative Criminal Justice Programs

In order to specialize in this area of criminal justice a degree in criminal justice is your best approach. Criminal justice programs focus on a wide array of topics, as well as disciplines such as social science, psychology and sociology. Aside from the general course requirements covered by most degree programs, you would specialize in comparative criminal justice by taking courses focused specifically on this area of criminal justice. You would study global issues as they relate to crime, the legal systems as well as social order.

Most likely, if you chose this type of degree you will learn about the development of the criminal justice system around the world, the evolution of criminal justice systems in other nations and cultures. Additionally, be prepared to spend time learning and understanding the basic administration and function of police, corrections and courts, as well as the impact of customary law across the globe.

What can I do with this degree?

Given the global and international focus of this type of degree, you will be able to find employment in a number of state and federal agencies. This type of degree program prepares you to analyze transnational crime, understand and internalize foreign justice systems, terrorism and homeland security issues.

All of these skills are critical in a number of different jobs and allow you to become competitive for a career in multiple settings. You will find that upon graduation, you will qualify for advanced positions in security organizations, law enforcement agencies as well as teaching and training positions.

Maja Aleksic has a doctorate in education psychology and has worked for both the Arizona State Department of Education as well as a prominent Arizona High School District. For more tips and advice on comparative criminal justice, choosing the best criminal justice degree program, courses and career opportunities go to http://www.Select-Online-Degree.com/criminal_justice_degree_online.html for up to date education news.

Why Students Need Affordable Health Care, and How to Find It

Normally, one of the farthest thoughts from a college student's mind is procuring health insurance. Why is this? In many cases, a student attending college is between the ages of 18-25. He or she is likely healthy and lacking extra funds to put towards health care. Therefore, rather than spend the extra money for the health care premiums, it is put towards other necessary and unnecessary items.

In reality, it is extremely important for a student to obtain health care. A simple broken arm or leg, without insurance, could result in mounting medical bills that set the student back more than he or she realizes. Keeping this necessity in mind, it is also essential that affordable health care be available to college students. Often living on a tight budget as it is, students require a basic coverage that allows he or she to feel secure without draining already nonexistent financial resources.

The most ideal scenario would be for the student to, if at all possible, remain on his or her parent's health care plan. Many plans will continue to cover a student between the ages of nineteen and twenty three as long as he or she remains in college for a certain number of credit hours (usually full time) each semester.

Often times, colleges and universities offer (and sometimes mandate) a basic health plan to students who attend that particular school. "Basic" is the applicable word here - although these plans are affordable for students, the coverage is often very limited. Students are also frequently required to see physicians and medical facilities on campus. In order to broaden the scope of medical care to doctors and facilities off-campus, a private health insurance plan may be needed.

A search of the internet will uncover a variety of resources and information to point a student in the right direction as they attempt to secure affordable health care.

Helpful sites include:

eStudentInsurance.com - compiles a range of various health plans that have comprehensive benefits, backed by solid underwriters.

UHCSR.com - an informative resource for students looking for health insurance quotes from UnitedHealthCare.

StudentsHealthInsurance.com - also provides health insurance quotes and FAQs for students.

StudentSelect.com - offers personalized quotes for students, and coverage highlights from Assurant Health.

The reality is that there are countless web sites that offer students the ability to review and compare plans, as well as receive multiple quotes by filling out just one application. Affordable health care is available, and the internet makes it even easier to obtain the coverage that is right for the individual student.

The Affordable Health Insurance Network (http://www.AffordableHealthInsurance.net) is a network of researchers, journalists, and contributors that supply and document relevant content about the health care industry.