Archive for September, 2011
Some people work out what they want to do with their lives by the time they are five. For the rest of us, choosing a college major can be a challenge. Some people spend two or three years in college trying to decide. The numerous choices out there can be overwhelming at best. Making a decision can take time, thought, and advice. Consider these three things.
1. What are you good at? There is no point in trying to be an art major if you have no talent for drawing.
2. What do you enjoy? Pursuing a major you hate just because your parents or career adviser think it is what you should do is a recipe for a low GPA.
3. What are your long term goals? If you want to be in management, you will need to study business. Alternatively, no matter how much you love history, it is a poor choice of major unless you want to teach.
The trick is to balance these three things. Studying something you hate because it would make you money is not a good choice, but neither is doing what you love and ending up flipping burgers. If you look hard enough, though, you should be able to find a course of study that satisfies all three.
September 26th, 2011
College textbooks can be costly; therefore, purchasing slightly-used books may be less painful. Many students will resell their textbooks to the college, which in turn sells them back to you at a discounted price. Check to see if your campus bookstore has used textbooks available, applicable to your needs.
Perhaps someone you know has taken the same college course you are going to take; they may be willing to sell you their textbook or know of someone who would. Also, current high school students may take College Prep courses. Find out if anyone in your school has taken the same course(s) you are planning to, and see if they’d sell you their books. The high school office may be able to give you some leads as well.
There are websites that sell used textbooks, but may charge shipping. A word of caution, when purchasing books from sources other than the college campus bookstore, be sure the books are current editions, applicable to your college course(s). Correlate the ISBN numbers, titles, authors, publication dates, course code numbers, etc., from the books at the college to the one’s you are intending to buy, to be sure you are getting the correct curriculum.
September 24th, 2011
One of the most important things to consider after deciding on a college or university is housing. There are really two main options when considering housing: on-campus or off-campus? Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
On-campus housing
Most universities will offer on-campus housing in the form of dorms or college apartments. Those students who choose to go through the Greek rushing system may also end up living in a fraternity or sorority house after their first semester. On-campus living provides the student close proximity to their classes, a constant and close connection to their new social environment and often times, an accompanying meal plan at the school cafeterias and cafes. Because of the convenience provided, on-campus housing is sometimes a more expensive option than looking for independent housing. Also, the student may have to deal with less-than-stellar accommodations (depending on the particular building), shared bathrooms and, of course, a potentially bad roommate.
Off-campus housing
There are two major drawbacks of choosing to live in an apartment or house off-campus. For one, the student will likely have to drive in to campus and pay for parking. And finding housing independent of the university sometimes takes more work. However, it is possible to find a living arrangement that will end up being cheaper in rent than living in a dorm. Being actively social may also be a little bit more difficult if living off-campus because the student, when home, will not always be on campus when social activities or gatherings take place.
In order to find the best housing for you, compare costs and conveniences. It is also a very good idea to ask current students their opinions. You will be able to learn which dorms and nearby apartments have the best reputations and are favored among students.
September 20th, 2011