Nothing gets high school graduates all psyched up and raving to attend college than hilarious college fraternity-themed movies. Tons of movies had been made about college frat life, of which some are hilarious, while some show the more serious aspects of how juggling frat life, personal responsibilities, and academics can get a bit too difficult. Below is a list of five of the most popular and hilarious Hollywood movies that follow the college frat theme:
Animal House (1978)
Some say that Animal House is The Godfather of college movies. Dubbed as THE movie that started it all, Animal House stars Tim Matheson, John Vernon, and John Belushi as members of the infamous Delta House fraternity. The three struggle to counter the efforts of the dean and another fraternity to abolish Delta House and kick its members out.
Revenge of the Nerds (1984)
Along with Animal House, Jeff Kanew’s Revenge of the Nerds also ranks high on the list of popular college fraternity movies ever made. As the title itself implies, the movie shows how college nerds and misfits learn to stand up for themselves and against the frat boys who constantly make their lives miserable.
Old School (2003)
Old School stars Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell, and Vince Vaughn as three 30-something men who aren’t quite ready to grow up and act their age. In their desire to relive the fun and craziness of college life, they form a fraternity of their own and recruit losers, elderly retirees, and misfit college students as members.
Going Greek (2001)
Headlined by Dylan Bruno, Laura Harris, and Simon Rex, Going Greek follows the story of Jake Taylor, who is forced to join a fraternity so his geeky cousin can get admitted into the fraternity. Problems arise when Jake and his cousin get caught up in a number of wild out parties of the fraternity which endangers his relationship with his frat-hating girlfriend.
Fraternity Row (1977)
Fraternity Row actually borders a bit more on the serious side, with the main plot revolving around how a harmless fraternity initiation escalates to a form of hazing and results to a student’s death. Fraternity Row is set in the 1950’s, and shows how the uptight upper class college students deal with family and peer pressure, as well as fraternity issues.
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Surprisingly, politics is very much existent even in schools and universities to the extent that students themselves actively partake in these political dealings. And no, politicking is not limited only to student organizations for it can also be seen in classrooms or in any place where there are people. To help you avoid getting involved in petty college politics, here are some simple tips you can follow:
Practice diplomacy
Resorting to violence will never solve anything fast. There are a lot of alternatives in dealing with peer related problems. A lot of students make the mistake of lashing out at their detractors either by use of the internet, gossiping, or even brute force. One thing that had always been neglected is the use of negotiations.
Not allowing the other party to talk leaves little room for compromise, and that often leads to more arguments and bouts of violence. This is why talking things out in a diplomatic manner is still the most effective way to resolve issues. By keeping your cool and hearing the different sides to the issue, you will be able to single out the main problem and hopefully come up with a solution.
Learn when to recognize authority, and when to question it
College is the time when most students find and establish their sense of individuality. Here they discover aspects of their personality which they never knew existed. Most students learn to be independent and assertive during college. And while assertiveness is an admirable trait, you should also learn when and where to practice it. For example, if you’re not comfortable with some of your organization’s rules, you can talk to the officers in charge and ask them to explain the rationale for these specific rules.
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Although tuition is an important factor to consider in choosing a college, there are also other factors such as school reputation, facilities, accreditation, and institution size that should also affect the decision. Below are some other factors that should be looked into.
Course offerings
Many students place a premium on the course or program offerings of a specific college – and for good reasons. College is not just about fitting in and making friends; it’s essentially about gaining mastery and skills necessary for your desired profession in the future. If you already have a major in mind, browse the different degree programs being offered by schools to see which suits you best. Considering the diversity of an institution’s academic programs will help ensure a profitable college education.
Location and campus setting
Deciding whether you want to go to a college near or far from home will help you narrow down your choices early on. Aside from the institution’s distance from your home, you should also consider the climate and the features of the town. Is the town conducive for student activities? Are there interesting places to visit? You won’t spend the next four to five years of your life just holed up in your dorm or campus, so it’s also important to consider the town you’ll be staying at throughout your college years.
Student support systems
When we say student support, this includes on- and off-campus housing options, student counseling and advising programs, financial aid, and other services related to student life. Student support is an important thing to consider because most of you will probably be living on your own for the first time, and taking that leap is never easy. Choosing a school that has an effective student support system will make it easier for you to get through the fun and trials of college.
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Going out of your comfort zone and finding yourself in an entirely new environment is never easy. Surviving first year is probably the toughest part of being in college but once you get through, it’s smooth sailing. For this purpose, several tips and tricks books are made available to the clueless greenhorn which can easily be found in bookstores. While there is no fool-proof, clear-cut approach to surviving freshman year, there are tons of simple tips for making it through freshman year. Below are examples of often overlooked yet highly effective tips on surviving the rough first year.
Socialize
If you’re the introverted type, you have to force yourself out of your self-made shell and go out of your way to strike up conversations with classmates and dorm mates. If you feel intimidated and shy, here’s what you should keep in mind: all the other freshmen feel just as shy and awkward being in a new environment as you do. Don’t worry about them snubbing you, they might even be thankful that you made the first move to talk to them because they’re too shy to do the same.
Ask for assistance
There will be times when you would just want to pack your bags and head back home. The stress of school work and maintaining personal relationships with friends and schoolmates can sometimes reach great heights to the extent that you would feel emotionally and mentally exhausted. Excellence in studies should not be achieved at the expense of your mental, physical, and emotional state. Take breaks when you feel the need to, and don’t hesitate to visit the student counselling office if you feel you need help.
Budget wisely
Living on your own requires extensive budgeting since you’d never know when you’ll be needing money. Careless spending on unnecessary items will not only give you financial issues but space issues as well.
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Research studies would prove that by earning your college degree, you also get better chances of improving your income level. With bachelor’s degree to put into your resume, you can explore better career opportunities and expect higher salary offers. Based on the report published by the US Commerce Department’s Census Bureau, college graduates can earn up to $2.1 million compared to those who only have high school diplomas whose average earnings is $1.2 million during their entire working life.
Of course, these figures are only an estimated value. Some may earn higher or lower than this based on the position and industry they belong to. Still, the above mentioned report only goes to prove the high difference in the income level if you have a college degree. Other reports even say that the salary of college graduates is usually 60% to 70% more than those of high school graduates. The field of entrepreneurship and scientific innovations, industries that require technical skills and specialized knowledge that you can get from college education, usually pay more than others.
Is having a college degree means better skills?
Employers usually reserve the higher positions to workers with college degrees. This is largely because of the training and education you can get in college. In the case of electronics and technology, college graduates are exposed to technical training that help them hone the skills needed in this industry. With a college degree, you can use the theories you’ve learned into practical application. Employers obviously place high value on specialized knowledge. College graduates can be an asset to the growth and development of the company because of the technical skills they can provide. Some companies may even offer scholarship to employees who wish to finish college or pursue graduate studies, in exchange of their services or prolonged stay. This only shows how important education is in career advancement, which offers better benefits and higher salaries.
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Cutting back on the huge cost of college tuition is not the only reason to go to a community college. Students may also enroll in one to discover what they really want, as they use the time to explore different course programs without spending too much money. After all, the curriculum for freshmen is usually the same with others. They also get to save on living expenses such as board and lodging by attending a community college that is usually within the neighborhood or not too far from where they’re living.
You may wonder if going to community college would be good for you or not. To help you make up your mind, here’s a list of the benefits and disadvantages:
Benefits of Going to a Community College
Going to a community college is also a great way for some students to adjust from leaving high school life to pursuing higher education. Ideally, students should take time to figure out what they want as this may help them build a future career. Compared to universities, there is less work load in community colleges. This, however, doesn’t mean that by attending a community college, students will no longer get the training and quality education they need. Instead, this will prepare them in taking four-year courses, if they decide to do so.
Another important consideration is community colleges have less restrictions when it comes to admission. So even with low high school grades, you can still enroll in a community college and even find ways to boost your GPA before applying to universities. With smaller student population, there’s more focus on the education and training of each student.
Disadvantages of Going to a Community College
With limited resources and exposure to academic activities, community colleges may not provide the same academic environment in universities. Students can only aspire for Associate of Arts degrees because of the limited course programs in community colleges. For those who wish to earn a bachelor’s degree and eventually pursue graduate studies, universities are the best choice for these.
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If getting through college and surviving day to day responsibilities isn’t hard enough, adding family duties can only be too challenging. Students-slash-parents who have succeeded in pursuing college education while fulfilling family responsibilities exerted a lot of effort into making things work for both their personal and educational lives. If you have kids or one to take care of your family, below are some tips you can follow to help you get through college without while balancing family obligations:
Create a schedule that will work for you.
Take advantage of the prepared course syllabus that may be handed out to you by your professor. This usually includes the exam dates and other submission dates that you have to meet. Prioritize the school work that needs to be done ahead of others. Might as well avoid procrastination and cramming so you won’t be too stressed out in balancing family obligations with school work. Hire a baby sitter or ask a family member to look after your kid during exams or when making reports. Another option is to take less course load if you think you’ll be too pressed with time. Remember that what’s more important is you earn your college degree without neglecting your personal responsibilities. You have to compromise and see what’s best for both your studies and family life.
Seek support from friends, family, and other groups.
Some school programs offer financial assistance to students who are the head of the
family or guardian of an elderly. Other than the financial recourse, there are also programs that are specifically designed for student-parents. These programs offer services through day care and babysitting. Schools usually have their own support groups for working students or those who are already parents.
Student counseling is another service that student-parents should take advantage of. They can set a meeting with a school counselor or social worker who can help them figure out how to manage their work schedules, school responsibilities, and family life successfully.
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Not all students have a hard time deciding which major to take in college. But this does not mean that you should put off thinking and just go for the one that first crossed your mind. If you are having doubts as to what college major you should specialize in, consider these two very simple tips:
Choose a major that can equip you in the industry you want to work in
A lot of career options nowadays are not limited to the major you have taken up in college. But this might not be a permanent trend. So it is still better to get a major that will give you the opportunity to become a part of the field you want to work in.
If you think that you are interested in a lot of fields, then limit down your choices. Identify which do you like best. Doing so will ensure that you will be happy throughout the years you will devote to studying. Identifying what you like most is also an assurance that you’ll enjoy what you will do in the future.
Decide for yourself
A lot of students take a particular major just because they were pressured by family or friends. Do not let this to happen to you. After all, you are the one who will burn the midnight oil. Only you will call the shots for yourself.
If you belong to a family of teachers, do not just follow the career path of your family members. Identify if you really want to become one in the first place. Doing this will ensure that you will not quit just because you were pressured to take that major. And because you are the one who decides for yourself, you will not have the chance to blame anyone if anything turns out wrong. In the end, what matters is what your heart tells you and what you brain is capable of.
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The free college admission essays you will find on the Internet will give you an idea of how you should write your own admission essays. Writing a standout admission essay is not just the main point in preparing your application. So, do not just follow everything that you read in free college admission essays. The statements you have written in your admission essays must be backed up by your letters of recommendation. It is in this regard that you should be careful in choosing the persons who will write your recommendation letters.
What are letters of recommendations for?
Letters of recommendations are just one of the tools that admission committee members look at to have an idea of your interests and personalities. They use these letters to determine if you are suitable for their academic community. There are colleges that require students to submit letters of recommendations written by specific persons like your teacher or counselor. In case you are applying for an athletic program or scholarship, there are schools that will require you to submit a letter of recommendation written by your head coach.
How do you choose who will write your letters of recommendation?
Choosing the individuals who will write your letters of recommendation is quite a tricky task. The person you will choose must have the time to write your letter of recommendation. And because there are deadlines to beat, he or she must be reliable.
The individual you will choose must know you very well. Otherwise, he or she cannot make a solid point on your skills and talents. With regard to your high school teachers, pick the ones that have given you a high class standing or grades. It is very likely that you must have performed well in his or her class so you can be assured that he or she can make concrete and positive remarks on your academic performance.
Doing the above-mentioned tips will ensure that you have reinforced the statements you wrote in your admission essay. If you are still having a hard time making your essay, try to look at the different samples of free college admission essays. You can also opt to tailor fit your admission essays to your letters of recommendations.
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Although grades are a part of the criterion in looking for potential college freshmen, this is not the sole basis for college admissions. Apart from a student’s GPA and certificates of academic excellence, admission committee members also look for applicants who have shown compassion and dedication. These traits can only be effectively demonstrated in extracurricular activities.
Admissions committee members do not look for membership in particular organizations. The weight is put on how students have managed to balance their extracurricular activities and academics. College applicants must show this kind of personal characteristic in their college admission essays.
Students must not think that their admission essay will only stand out if they affiliate themselves in various organizations. Doing so will just create a negative effect on their application. The organizations that students should join must reflect their interests and personalities. Committee members want to identify the focus and priorities of applicants. And they can only do this if the applicants provide the needed information in their admission essay.
Be a leader, not just a member
A student who has numerous memberships in organizations might be less favored than a student who has been a leader of a few organizations. College admissions committees look for applicants who have a sense of community. But they are also in the hunt for applicants who have the ability to lead, if given the chance. This does not mean that students need to earn leadership titles. To be able to show leadership, applicants must cite particular instances in their school life that showed their eagerness to step up.
College applicants who do not have an idea of how they can effectively put their message across should consider visiting websites that offer samples of free college admission essays. There are a lot of free college admission essays that focus on the theme of leadership. Reading free college admission essays will give applicants the chance to know how they should write their admission essays.
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