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Freshman Focused On College Preparation

admin — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:13:07 +0000

As a freshman in high school, you may just be getting used to the idea of being in high school, but you should also start thinking about your college career. It may seem like a lot of pressure, but todays academic environment is very competitive, so its a good idea to get ahead start.

The focus of your freshman year should be on laying the groundwork for what is to come. You will need to plan out your curriculum so it meets the standards of most colleges, stay in touch with your teachers, counselors and parents and try to become an involved student.

Now, without further adieu, let us begin the ways you can prepare for college during your freshman year.

Plan Your High School Curriculum

You cant wait to decide the classes youll take your senior year until your senior year. Since many colleges have stringent curriculum requirements for high school students, you need to plan ahead in order to stay in the game.

For instance, many colleges require three years of a foreign language. If you do not begin this track in either your freshman or sophomore year, youll be unable to attend that college!

Its imperative that you find out the courses available to you and pick those you need as well as those that interest you. College administrators like to see a diverse, well-rounded student with many interests and your class schedule should reflect this.

It is also advisable to take the hardest course load you can handle. College administrators also like to see that you are up for the challenging course load you will be expected to complete during college.

Taking honors classes shows that you are, indeed, up for this challenge. Plus, you have the advantage of being thoroughly prepared for college level courses after taking a rigorous high school curriculum.

You can expect to have to take courses like the following:

English: Consists of courses like Composition, Creative Writing, American Literature and English Literature. You will need four years of English courses.

History: Consists of courses like U.S. History, World History, and Geography. You will need two years of History courses*.

Government and Economics: Consists of courses like U.S. Government, Civics and Economics. You will need one to two years of Government courses.

Math: Consists of courses like Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry and Calculus. You will need three to four years of Math courses.

Science: Consists of courses like Biology, Chemistry and Physics. You will need two to three years of Science courses.

Foreign Language: Consists of courses like Spanish, French and German. You will need two to three years of Language courses.

Electives: Consists of courses such as Art, Psychology and Music. You will need one to three years of Electives courses.

Note: Each college has its own admissions requirements. Be sure to talk to a counselor about individual college requirements to ensure you take the proper courses throughout your high school education.

Top 10 Myths about Online Education

admin — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:13:03 +0000

Are you considering advanced education, but are a little apprehensive of online education? Below are the top ten myths about online degree programs- disproved! After reading this, you wont want to wait to find the best online program thats right for you.

Myth #1 Theyre the same as a textbook Online degree programs tend to be more comprehensive than a textbook. Most textbooks are usually written by one or two professionals, and are not always updated each year. With online degree programs, you have the opportunity to work with professors, many of whom are still working in the field as well as teaching. A textbook course only provides one point of view and expects the student to accept that view as the correct one.

Fact: Online professors offer variety of viewpoints on the subject, and are able to communicate with you on these topics through e-mails and papers submitted online.

Myth #2 They require constant attachment to your computer Online programs require quite the opposite! In fact, once you have enrolled in a program, you are able to work at your own pace unlike a campus university where class schedules are predetermined by the professor and availability of a classroom. When learning through online programs, your classroom can be wherever you are home, work, vacation, its up to you!

Fact: You no longer need to stick to a set schedule; log on whenever you have time!

Myth #3 Employers wont accept online degrees According to Careerbuilder.com, “This may once have been the case, but online degree programs are now rightly perceived to be topical, challenging and highly relevant. They are designed with the needs of working adult learners in mind and are developed in consultation with experienced professionals in industry and business to ensure that students learn concepts and methods that are immediately applicable in their work environment.”

Fact: A study conducted by Vault.com says 61% of employers accept online degrees.

Myth #4 Online = faster, easier & less credible Online degrees can be faster to earn, but for the most part, they take almost as much time as on-campus degrees; when you factor in the work schedules of most students, this prevents students from devoting the entire day towards their online degree. This in no way makes an online degree less credible than an on-campus degree.

Fact: Careerbuilder.com says, “Employers are impressed by the initiative, ambition and self-motivation demonstrated by an employee who takes advantage of the Internet to develop their knowledge and their career.”

Myth #5 All accredited schools are created equal It may seem that all online schools have been accredited or are accredited equally. But beware; its important to ensure that the online school you are enrolled in has been accredited by a proper institution. LearnSource.com reveals if your school has been accredited. Though accreditation process is difficult and costly, most schools will cough up the dough because it classifies a school on a higher tier than non-accredited institutions.

College Preparation As A Senior Pt1

admin — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:12:58 +0000

Its crunch time! You have one more year of high school before delving into the world of adulthood! But try to take things one-step at a time. After all, you started planning way back in freshman year for college, right? This year shouldnt be like any other, except for the fact that all of that resourceful planning will be applied. Youve worked hard for this moment. Keep plunging forward and the college of your dreams will be at your fingertips.

Request recommendation letters from teachers and counselors

Youve been visiting your counselor for nearly four years now. They should know you and have a pretty good understanding of your goals. Who better to ask for a recommendation letter? Many colleges require recommendation letters from persons in professional standing to comment on you as a student and a person.

While your counselor is an obvious choice, you can also ask your teachers, advisors, sports coaches and employers. If you volunteered for an organization every summer, you can ask the head to write you a letter of recommendation as well. Be creative in your choices! A letter from your counselor and one from your community volunteer program leader looks a bit more impressive than two letters from teachers. Show you are a diverse and well-rounded individual based on your letters.

Another thing to keep in mind is to be courteous to those you ask for letters from. Give them at least three weeks to write the letter and get it back to you. Nothing looks more unprofessional than a last minute letter request.

Also, a week or so after receiving the letters of recommendation, write the individual a brief thank you note. After all, your counselor or instructor took time out of their life for you. You can do them the same courtesy.

Set up a tentative college cost budget.

Everything involved with college is expensive. There is just no way of getting around that fact. But you can help yourself by coming up with a budget.

First and foremost, college application costs can really add up. Decide how much you are willing to spend on this cost and figure out how many colleges you can apply to. Take the colleges from the top of your list and prepare to apply.

Next, figure out how much your parents are willing to spend on your college education and how much you will be expected to pay as well. Take this amount and compare it to the tuition costs of your top schools. Will it cover the costs? Or, will you require financial aid? How much funding will you receive from financial aid resources?

Figure out tentative numbers now. You dont want to be accepted to your dream college only to find out you cant go because you cant afford it.

Write your applications essays

Youve written rough drafts over the summer, had those you trust read them over, and now its time for the real deal. Get out your pen and paper and rewrite your applications essays. Make the changes that your favorite editors have suggested and make sure each essay is focused. If one application has a very specific prompt, be sure your essay addresses it. You can think of this sort of a prompt as a question and your essay as the answer.

University of Texas Professor, Turned Arbitrator-Mediator

admin — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:12:52 +0000

On a recent Southwest Airlines flight from Dallas to Oklahoma City, I happened to meet someone who is called into the situation only if there is a dispute between a labor union and management that cannot be resolved by the parties themselves. Yes, he belongs to an elite group of men and women in the US, who are called into play only when labor arbitration is required. Arbitration in the U. S. is voluntary in the private sector and mandated in the federal sector, but the parties don’t need to go through the federal government and often don’t to decide on an arbitrator.

Further, at age 65, he too definitely reinvented himself from a University of Texas Graduate Business School professor to what he is today, a US labor arbitrator-mediator. After nearly 30 years at the University of Texas at Austin, I. B. “Beber” Helburn went from teaching Labor Relations, HR Management, Negotiation and Arbitration, with a part-time job of serving in his current capacity, to now practicing what he had preached full-time.

Of course, since Beber Helburn had begun his University of Texas at Austin Business School stint in January, 1968, UT Austin has steadily risen in prominence to what it has become today. Modestly, Helburn doesnt choose to take any particular credit for the schools current reputation, although in all honesty being able to take classes from such a professor would be exciting for any student.

After completing his Ph.D from the University of Wisconsin Industrial Relations Institute, with a major in Industrial Relations, Dr. Helburn principally served as a university professor, but he also briefly functioned as a consultant to the Committee on Wages and Employment to the House of Representatives, State of Texas for approximately one year (which report led to the passage of the first state minimum wage law). Helburn has been listed on the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, labor arbitration panel from 1972 until the present, the labor panel of the American Arbitration Association since 1974 and the labor panel of the National Mediation Board since 1992.

Helburn has been involved with Arbitration panels over the years, which have included all of the following companies: AT&T and the Communications Workers of America; Continental Airlines and the International Association of Machinists (Flight Attendants); Continental Airlines and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA); Federal Express Corporation and ALPA; GAF Corporation and PACE International Union; Internal Revenue Service and the National Treasury Employees Union; International Paper Company and PACE plus the IBEW; Lone Star Steel and the United Steelworkers of America; Lucent Technologies and the Communications Workers of America; Major League Baseball and the Major League Players Association (Salary); Southwest Airlines and the International Association of Machinists (Reservation Agents); Southwest Airlines and TWU Local 555 (Ramp Personnel); U. S. Customs Service and the National Treasury Employees Union; U. S. Postal Service and the American Postal Workers Union, National Association of Letter Carriers and the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association; and the Veterans Administration Medical Center and the AFGE Local 1633.

Financial Aspects Of Your College Preparation

admin — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:12:46 +0000

Now is the right time to begin the discussion about funding for college with your parents. While you cant do much about securing financial aid during your freshman year, you can come up with a plan for how your family will go about paying for college.

Your parents may have been saving for your college education since you were little. Or, they may not have been so fortunate. Either way, youll need to sit down as a family and discuss the reality of the situation. How much are your parents willing to spend on your college education? How much do they expect you to contribute? About how much do you expect to get in financial aid?

Answering these questions early on save a lot of grief during your senior year. You dont want to fill out the FAFSA and realize in the April before you start college that you cannot afford to go due to lack of funding. There is always a way to get through school. You just need to start planning early to account for any difficulties along the way and to make sure both you and parents are on the same financial page.

Take virtual college campus tours

While you wont be applying to colleges for a while, you can still get a leg up on the competition by taking virtual campus tours for colleges of interest. Knowing what campuses look like, what their buildings look like and where things are located can put your mind at ease. Plus, it shows you how beautiful some colleges really are.

The best part about it is you dont have to leave the comfort of your home. Just visit the websites of colleges youre interested in and click on the virtual tour link (or something similar). Youll learn a lot and wont have to spend a dime. Plus, it can be kind of fun to browse around these different campuses.

Above all else, youll be further preparing yourself for the college experience. Just the act of searching through college websites and locating the virtual tour section is a good exercise. Youll need to become increasingly efficient when using college websites, or any website for that matter, as your high school career moves forward.

Volunteer over the summer

Just lazing the day away during the summer might sound nice, you should continue to work toward making your college application look appealing. You can do this by volunteering for a community organization.

Many students excuses range from they cant find volunteer opportunities to they dont know how to volunteer. Rest assured, the organizations youll be working with will be glad to have your assistance. Many high schools even post volunteer opportunities on campus. Check news bulletins and boards in the office for such opportunities.

Youd be surprised. There are plenty of organizations and companies out there that would absolutely love to have your help. All you need to do is ask. The added bonus is that doing volunteer work on your own time shows dedication, commitment and empathy for the cause of others. Plus, youll start up a good networking base that could lead to potential employment later on.

College administrators love to admit students that care about their community, can balance their schedules and work well with others. Add these excellent qualities to your resume by putting in some time with a volunteer organization.

College Preparation and Counselors

admin — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:12:42 +0000

Yes, this was included in your freshman year to-do list, but it is so very important, I just had to include it again. Talk to your counselor regularly. In order for them to help you make the best decisions regarding college, you have to make yourself available to them.

Dont be afraid to visit often. You wont get on their nerves. Just come prepared with any questions you may have and theyll appreciate your organization.

You should also make it a point to speak with your teachers on a regular basis. Your instructors see your mental prowess first hand. They are the best to evaluate your academic performance and to write letters of recommendation for you. Letting your instructor in on your goals allows them to better help you when the time comes to make big college decisions.

After all, teachers are there not just to teach, but to help their students as well. If you have any concerns regarding your classroom performance and how that will affect your college admissions, try to set up a meeting time with one of your teachers. More often than not, they are glad to help you make sense of the college prep process.

Research the standardized tests required for college admissions

College entrance exams can be a real pain. Lets face it. They dont exactly test your intelligence or your breadth of knowledge from high school. Rather, you need to study specifically for the test to ensure you know the kind of information thats on it.

It may seem pointless, but standardized tests are the, well, standard of most colleges regarding entrance exams.

This year, you should research the specific requirements of each of the schools on your list. The tests you will most often run across include:

PSAT/NMSQT SAT Reasoning Test ACT SAT Subject Test

What do you each of these tests require? What sorts of questions will you be asked? Do your research on the specifics of these tests and pick up a handbook with a few sample questions inside.

Even though standardized tests only really matter in terms of applying to college, they matter big time in this one area. Do your best to prepare early for the exams by knowing which ones youll need to take and what subjects youll need a refresher course on before test day.

Attend preparatory classes for the SAT or the ACT

Speaking of preparing yourself, signing up for a class that prepares you for these college entrance exams is probably a good idea. The material on these tests should be familiar to you, but their presentation and formatting may be entirely new to you. Taking a class makes it so come test day, there are no surprises.

If you will be taking the SAT, youll need to also take the PSAT, which is just a practice test to prepare you for the one that counts. You can also take PSAT classes. Do what feels best for you but keep in mind that less work doesnt mean its the right path.

Do your best to prepare for the standardized tests you need to take now and youll thank yourself later. Pay particular attention to your math class. Formulas and equations you learn now will most likely appear on these tests.

Sophomore Concentrates On College Preparation

admin — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:12:37 +0000

Your first year of high school is behind you and now its time to hit the old books once again. But as you further your studies, you can continue to keep up to date with the college scene. In fact, unlike your freshman year, you can really dig in your heels this year and start making some decisions in regards to your college choice, standardized testing and financial aid. Just look at all of the things you can do.

Come up with a list of potential colleges

After taking those virtual tours last year, you should probably already have a good idea of the types of colleges youd like to apply to. There are many factors that go into deciding on a campus that is right for you. You can narrow your list down by answering the following questions:

Would to prefer to attend a small school or a large school? Do you want to live at home or live in the dorms? Do you want to go to a school that is close to home or far away? What major are you most interested in? How much can you spend on a college education? Do you prefer small, intimate classes or large lecture hall classes? How selective of a school would you like to go to?

After answering these questions, you should be able to narrow down your list some. For instance, if you want to go to a small school and live at home, campuses with extravagant dorm facilities and are massive in size will be off the list. Likewise, if you think you may want to be an English major, yet a potential school specializes in Mathematics, they may not be the right choice for you.

The point of this exercise is to get focused. It is best to have a good idea of the type of college you want to go to at least early on, so you know the specific classes youll need to take in high school and to what academic standard you should be aiming.

Take on a leadership role in a club

You spent your freshman year joining clubs of interest and taking part in extracurricular activities. During your sophomore year, make it your objective to take on a position of leadership in one of the organizations youre involved with. Whether youre a committee member or president, your efforts to lead your classmates will be noticed on college applications.

College administrators like to see students that take initiative. If you were a leader of a club during high school, it shows initiative on your part to take control and be in charge. These skills come in handy during college when youll be expected to make presentations or speeches. These leadership skills can be even more beneficial once you join the workforce.

If you run for a leadership position and dont make it right away, not to worry. You can always document your attempts on your college application. Your valiant efforts will not go unnoticed by the college recruiters.

And dont be afraid to think outside of the box when it comes to leadership roles. If you organize a beach clean up with your classmates or start a petition for a noteworthy cause, dont be afraid to include that on your application as well. Your leadership skills can and should branch outside of the school campus.

Choosing An Online Degree Program: The Importance of Accreditation

admin — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:12:33 +0000

You have finally made the decision to go back to school. But you do not want to waste the time or money to find out that your new “degree” is not worth the paper it is printed on. So how do you insure that you are getting a quality education from a recognized academic program. Once you have found program that is tailored to your needs, perhaps one of the most important things to look at before choosing which online degree program to enroll in is accreditation.

There are two types of accreditation that are essential for choosing a dependable, quality online degree program. One is the the regional accreditation for the school itself. There are several recognized accrediting bodies such as Higher Learning Commission (HLC),which is a Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges (NCA), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the North Central Association for Colleges and Schools just to name a few. Regional accreditation is very important in selecting an online degree program because accrediting agencies oversee the schools to insure that they meet rigorous educational standards so that you know all of your hard work and educational dollars are worth the investment.

In addition to regional accreditation, the second thing to look for is professional or program accreditation. While this may not be applicable to all programs, some specialties and certain professional fields will require programs to meet their standards in order for students who graduate from these programs to continue to uphold the high standards of conduct and skill set forth by many professional organizations. A few examples of industry specific professional accrediting organizations are the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), The College of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

Check with any of the licensing boards or other professional organizations related to your chosen career path to find out if there are specific guidelines or accrediting agencies related to your field. If so, they should also be able to provide you with a list of academic institutions that have been approved and accredited by them. Just keep in mind that, if the program that you are looking at does not list a professional accreditation for the individual program, it may simply be because your field does not require such an accreditation. So, while you should be aware of these guidelines do not assume that a program lacking an additional certification is not a quality one. In many cases, as long as the school itself has a good standing with the relevant accrediting agencies you can be fairly confident in the programs that they offer.

Most degree programs will generally list their accreditation standing on the course materials but if you have any questions about the school or program you are considering, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the United States Department of Education (USDE) are both good resources to check out for information on accreditation standings.

Balancing Student life

admin — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:12:29 +0000

1. manipulate Your routine; Don’t allow Your routine Control You
Organization and time management skills are two of the most valuable skills you will always encompass. One of the primary things you ought to do at the head of each semester is arrange the dates of all class tests also venture deadlines since every syllabus, also all required meetings and events since every organization. wholly obligations ought to subsequently be logged into a centralized routine you keep at wholly times, such as a daily planner, desk calendar, otherwise still a PDA (private digital aide). For the next 4 months, you currently know precisely what you should schedule the rest of your existence surrounding. Next, it is highly recommended for you to set a routine for yourself into writing to enclose all other items you desire to make as a schedule. mainly importantly, this should contain times of revise, such as each Tuesday also Thursday since 3:30 - 6:30. Physically block off these time periods every Tuesday and Thursday intended the rest of the semester. Of route, the most important piece of creating a schedule is sticking to it! So, be disciplined sufficient to schedule any dissimilar activities that are fewer important surrounding those that are most important.

2. inquire For Help while You require It
Whether it involves academics or organizational responsibilities, everyone comes to a indicate where they sense overwhelmed. This is pardon friends, guy members, and dissimilar university resources are there intended. Unfortunately, there are numerous reasons why persons don’t seek help when it is available. various persons try to remove active too much, trying to prove to themselves that “I can do this wholly active my own.” Some may not desire to admit to people that they “can’t handle everything.” Others might feel they must perform everything all active their own, because barely subsequently will they know it will get done right and active era (an early signal of organism a control freak). nevertheless, delegation is a learned ability, also (when used properly) can actually assist in tasks being done quicker, inclusive of less mistakes, also less stress. Academically, seek out help when you don’t understand rather. thither ought to be plenty of resources available, from composing centers, to computer labs, to graduate assistants, to your professors who propose office hours. thither are moreover different students who might understand that topic improved, otherwise who have still taken the course before. Especially in very big classes, various students may be intimidated to ask intended help. although, the sole purpose of the institution and wholly of these resources is to help you learn. thus use them. Ask for rope to be thrown down previously you drown!

3. remain A Firm catch On Your Priorities
Understanding pardon your PRIORITIES are every also every day is one of the biggest keys to university achievement. It is also single of the easiest concepts to lose hunt of. It is a fast-paced planet, where it is easy to become sidetracked with social activities, TV shows, video games, etc. various persons convey a card into their wallet, otherwise still a post a card active their PC, where they list the apex 1-5 priorities into their life. The card says “Is pardon I am performing RIGHT now with my era directly contributing to one of my top priorities into life?” If the answer is “no,” then that serves as a acceptable reminder that you could be performing something more crucial. everybody have precisely 24 hours every day. persons who achieve more in life merely make improved use of their 24 hours each day than everyone else. pardon you do with every of your 24 hours encompass as much to do with your success throughout university as any dissimilar factor. thither is an old saying that “if it important enough to you, you create era intended it.” Be certain that nobody is in charge of your era except intended you. It is one of the mainly valuable assets you have.

Minot State University: Serving North Dakota

admin — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:12:24 +0000

Minot State University, one of the many U.S. universities is located in northwestern part of North Dakota in a city named Minot (rhyming with “why-not”). This University has a fairly rich history and was established in the year 1913. The city of Minot has a population of around 38000 residents. Among the Best U.S. Universities it caters to the educational requirements of areas such as North Dakota and Montana besides quite a few provinces in Canada. It is a Coed University spread over an area of around 103 acres.

Departments and Courses Offered

On an average around 3800 to 4000 students study in this University and the calendar system in this University is semester based. Minot State University offers under graduate as well as graduate degree programs and it is the third largest publicly established U.S universities in the region of North Dakota. This is one of the Best U.S Universities and offers students the opportunity to take undergraduate degrees in around 60 major study courses, certificate programs in around four courses, graduate degree in around ten courses of study and more than 200 courses are offered through their online facility.

There are three colleges that form part of this University. The college of Arts and Science has twenty three departments while the college of Business has three departments. The college of Education and Health sciences has five departments. Minot State University is a part of a System of North Dakota University which includes 11 institutions that are baccalaureate, masters, doctoral and community Best U.S Colleges. With accreditations from 9 different institutions over a period of time this university has progressed from being a normal school to being recognized as a part of Carnegie Master I colleges.

Library and Other Facilities

The library is a three storied building with a seating capacity for around 800 students and has room for around 500, 000 volumes and also houses computer labs. A newspaper is published by students of this University on each Thursday and it is called Red and Green. The hard copy circulation of this tabloid is around 3000. The campus of this University which is one of the Best U. S Colleges houses facilities that caters to lunch and dining needs of its students. These lunch and dining and other necessities are met in areas called as Buckshots, Sandellas, Beaver Creek Caffe, and Symbols.

Sports

A variety of sporting options such as basketball, cheerleading, football, golf among others are offered for men and women in this University. Beaver is the mascot of Minot State University.