If studying alone doesn’t work for you at all, then you should probably consider joining a study group. Study groups are small groups of students who meet regularly to discuss academic concepts and share creative ideas. Joining study group sessions is one effective way of improving your social skills and enriching your academic knowledge.
Study group sessions, when not conducted properly, can actually be disadvantageous for you. It will not only consume too much your precious time, but it will also waste too much of your much-needed energy. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of study group sessions.
Review your lessons before the study group session.
The purpose of holding study group sessions is to share ideas, not to tutor your co-students. So, before the scheduled study group session, see to it that you actually have some ideas to share. Save yourself from the sheer embarrassment of being labeled “irresponsible” by reading about the topics to be discussed on your next study group session. If you think it is necessary, do some research to support your thoughts and ideas so you can have something logical to share with the other members of the study group.
Stick to your objectives during the study group session.
When friends come together for a study group session, there is always a possibility that they will end up talking about topics other than the scheduled assignment. Your study group session may begin with a discussion on Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, but it will most likely end with Barney Stinson’s Lemon Law of the dating world. To avoid the possibility segueing to non-academic topics, assign one member of the group to be the “party pooper.” The “party pooper” is the person who will remind everybody to get back on track whenever you find yourselves engrossed in funny stories or gossips.
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College is all about interacting with people. You have to learn how to communicate with your professors and how to socialize with your classmates because you will never know when you are going to need their help. The people that you need to get along with the most, however, are neither your professors nor your classmates. In college, it is more important to establish good relationships with your dormmates.
Your dorm mates are like your family in your college. You live under one roof and sometimes, you even share the same room. It is never easy to suddenly get used to living with somebody you hardly know and it takes a lot of adjustment from both parties to make everything work. Here are some tips to help you get along with your dorm mates:
Respect your dorm mates’ personal space.
The first form of adjustment that you have to make is to respect your dorm mates’ personal space. To do this, you always have to keep in mind that you are not the sole owner of the dorm room. You are sharing it with others. Do not play loud music when your one of your dorm mates is patiently absorbed in his or her textbooks. If you can’t resist the temptation of listening to your favorite mixed CD, then bring out those earphones and keep the music to yourself.
Respect your dorm mates’ personal belongings.
If there is one thing that you have to remember during your stay in college dorms, it is the “what’s yours is yours and what’s mine is mine” rule. You are given your own bed, your own closet, and your own study area for a reason. Sleep on your own bed, trash your own closet, and make a mess in your own study area. Never wear your dorm mates’ shirt just because it matches the color of your eyes or eat their sandwich just because it completes the balance of your diet. Why take the risk of being scolded later when you can always ask for their permission first?
Respect your dorm mates’ personal feelings.
For some reason, students from opposite ends always end up being dormmates. Opposites always attract, but it wasn’t indicated that it is always in a good way. To avoid getting into silly fights or ego battles, respect your dorm mates’ beliefs and philosophies. If your dorm mates are devout Catholics, then please be sensitive enough to avoid making jokes about Jesus Christ or the Pope. The last thing you want is to avoid your dormmates. Respect your dorm mates’ feelings and you will surely get back the same respect that you deserve.
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Although there are some college graduates who immediately focus on climbing career ladders and making enough money to afford luxuries, there are those who dwell first on wanting to pay off the student loans they incurred during college. For some, getting a high-paying job is enough to pay for college student loans, but there are those who don’t end up getting high-paying jobs right after college. The good news is that there are lots of options that you can look into to pay off your student loans as early as possible. See whether the options listed below suits you.
* Loan consolidation programs
When you’re paying off separate loans, you’re also paying for the interests of each particular loan. It might also be hard for you to budget your money and decide which loan to pay off first. If you’re having this kind of problem, then perhaps loan consolidation is the best thing you can do. When you consolidate your student loans, you will have only one loan to pay off. Take the time to assess various loan consolidation programs and choose one that offers you with a low interest rate.
* Money from the military
Don’t mind doing military service? You can join the National Guard or the Army Reserve after you graduate so you can get up to $10,000 to pay off your college loans. If you seek adventure, you can even request to be assigned in conflict or hostile areas, which will provide you with more money to pay off your student loans. Just make sure that you’re really up for the challenge that joining the military brings.
* Loan forgiveness options
The government offers loan forgiveness to those who do social work and volunteer their service for non-profit organizations after they graduate. You can sign up for the Peace Corps, Americorps, and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) to be granted loan forgiveness.
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You can find many resources providing tips to help resolve problems of college students when it comes to time management. But many of the articles providing tips don’t illustrate concrete examples of how students can better manage their time. Below are some tips and examples of how you can manage your time in college wisely.
* Don’t forgo sleep
It’s common for students to forgo sleep or get only a few hours of resting time so that they can do more studying or squeeze in a few more activities into their day. It’s easy to fall into the habit of cutting back on sleep to get more done. But what you have to realize is that sleep is vital for your health. When you don’t get enough sleep, you won’t be functioning at your optimum level, making you less efficient in doing activities. Your brain will be able to retain more information and think more clearly when you get six to eight hours of sleep rather than just two to three hours.
* Learn how to multi-task effectively
Going to your doctor’s appointment? Bring your handouts and books along so you can read them while waiting. In case you have to travel somewhere and you can read while riding a vehicle, bring your notes along with you and study while you’re riding the bus. Going to the library to have your notes photocopied? Take advantage of the time you’re there by looking for possible references for a paper you have to write. By doing feasible activity combinations, you can make better use of your time. But be careful not to go over your limits, because doing so can leave you feeling stressed.
* Create a to-do list that’s non-negotiable
The tasks you write on your to-do list must be those that shouldn’t be put off to a later time. Sticking to a to-do list may be challenging for you because you may have to squeeze in sudden deadlines or study for exams that were announced at just a short notice. To manage your time better, you can create two to-do lists: a general one that includes even non-academic activities such as doing laundry and going shopping for groceries, and a non-negotiable one. Prioritize those tasks that need urgent attention. By doing this, you can just let yourself focus on one or two tasks without letting yourself get overwhelmed with the other tasks listed.
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Colleges and universities often need the services of teaching assistants whose job is to help professors and lecturers in handling classes and doing other related tasks. These teaching assistants are usually college students who need the job to help them pay their tuition, pay off their student loans, and cope with other expenses that come with going to college. Applying for teaching assistant positions is great for those who want to get teaching experience.
Who are teaching assistants?
Teaching assistant positions are available to qualified individuals who want to gain teaching experience and earn more money. Students who wish to be teachers after graduating from college often apply for teaching assistant positions. Teaching assistants may be students at the college or university where they teach, but they can also be from other schools and want to gain experience in teaching.
What do teaching assistants do?
The primary task of teaching assistants is to help lecturers and professors. This is done through administering tests and watching over students while they take exams. Oftentimes, teaching assistants are tasked with preparing visual and audio teaching aids, as well as reproducing and distributing course readings to students. On those times when the professor is unable to come to class, the teaching assistant may be asked to take full responsibility of discussing lessons to students. Grading reports, papers, and exams may also be among the responsibilities of teaching assistants.
Even though teaching assistants hold lower ranks than professors, students should also treat them with the same respect they extend to their professors. Because teaching assistants are often less intimidating and more approachable than professors, you might find it easier to talk to them about your courses. Teaching assistants may also have to provide student evaluations to professors so their judgment may be able to affect your grades.
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Shifting majors seems fairly common for students who are in their first year in college. In fact, a report by an Ivy League school confirmed that first year and second year college students switch courses up to four times. Throughout their college years, students may realize the fields they are truly interested in. As they set goals for their future career, college students may lead to this discovery by taking various classes that help them realize their true interest. By joining different student organizations, they may also find their niche and specialize on where they’re truly good at.
While there’s nothing wrong in switching majors, this decision may take a toll on school fees, academic orientation, and years you need to finish college. To avoid shifting to different courses, it would be best to study the course offering carefully before enrollment. For those who plan on switching, here’s a list of benefits and disadvantages to help you make up your mind:
On a positive note
Switching majors actually allow you to explore more options and possible career opportunities. It may be worth it to find something that you can do passionately. With passion and sincere interest, you may easily excel on the field you’re specializing in and focus on developing the needed skills. This will also let you discover the best career or profession based on your interest, skills, and preference, helping you make the most out of your college education.
The downside of switching majors
When switching majors, you have to consider the time and money that will be put into waste. Some subjects may not be credited under a new course curriculum. This is especially true for courses that are not related to your previous major. Some courses may also require you to take prerequisite classes. Ultimately, changes in the curriculum will extend your stay in college. Aside from having a new and sometimes complicated schedule, you also need to adjust to a new academic environment. You have some catching up to do in able to grasp concepts that seem fairly new to you.
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There are many reasons why students opt to transfer colleges or universities. These reasons include the good and the bad. Some students choose to switch schools because they think that their current school offers weak course programs. Other reasons include too much school work, location, problems with professors, or homesickness. If you do wish to switch schools for whatever reasons, make sure that doing so is worth all the hassle and expenses. Here are some tips to help you make transferring schools a smoother process:
Do your homework
Doing your homework means researching about the programs offered by your prospective school. Are these programs really better than those offered by your current school? This is especially true if your reason for switching schools is that your current school’s programs don’t cater to your needs as a student. To know more about your prospective school, you can ask people you know who have graduated from that school. You can also check out the Internet for sites and forums that allow you to chat with your prospective school’s current students and alumni. As part of your homework, you should also research about your prospective school’s learning environment, student accommodations, professors, and tuition and other expenses. Knowing how many of your current school credits can actually be accepted by your new school is also important.
Take note of deadlines and requirements
Keep in mind that many colleges and universities accept transferees within a specific time period only. When transferring schools, take note of deadlines and admissions requirements. Also, your high school grades may not be that important anymore since your grades in your previous school are given more weight when you switch schools.
Many schools require their transfer students to create an admissions essay. When writing one, read free college admission essays online to have an idea on what to discuss in your own essay. There are many sites that offer free college admission essays so you don’t have to worry about paying or creating an account just to read sample essays. When reading free college admission essays online, use them only as guides and never copy off ideas from sample essays.
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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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