Community College May Be A Good First Option

Entering into college isn't an easy task but it is feasible for those who have this as a goal. In an ideal situation if you are college bound you have addressed the issues that need to be addressed during your high school career and have a good enough record under your belt to be accepted to the college or colleges of your selection. Unfortunately some students don't think about going to college until after high school is done, and if they failed to make the grade or didn't do well on or in some cases even take the SATs they may believe that their chances for getting into a good college have vanished.

If you failed to get it together during your stint in high school or made a late decision on attending college there is no need to fret. There are several things that you can still do in order to make yourself ready to attend the school of your choice in the coming year.

It all initiates with making application to your local community college. Most people don't think that community colleges are worth attending but in fact they supply numerous benefits for students who are late bloomers academically and for those that are in need of a stepping stone between high school and a fully accredited University. A community college can aid a student to attain everything they need to become eligible for a good quality school in about a year's time.

There are numerous benefits but one of the biggest benefits of attending a community college for a segment of your college career is the cost is so much less that you can save thousands of dollars just by doing a year or two of classes there before moving on to the University of your choice. It is for this reason that many students, even those that are prepared to enter college straight out of high school, are opting to attend a local community college. Not only do they find that they save money off their tuition but most also discover they can save more money by living at home and working locally while completing their first few semesters of college.

Some Tips That Will Help You Save For College

As tuition payments rise seemingly every single year, many students are finding it harder and harder to figure out how they are going to pay for college. If you are about to embark on furthering your education and you are worried about the huge expense that comes with getting a degree, here are some tips to help you save.

1.   Budget - if you've heard of the "Ramen Noodle" diet, it's for a good reason. Most college students are on extremely tight budgets as most of their funds get spent on tuition, books, and other education necessities. Budgeting is going to be a huge part of learning how to manage your money properly so you can spend your money in the right places. You may need to find other options to expensive salon haircuts, buying the top designer clothing, and other things that will no longer take priority during your college stay.

2.   Dorm vs. Apartment - you might be surprised to know that renting an apartment may be far cheaper than signing up for a dorm. This will all depend on the area you go to college, and if you can find a roommate to split the expenses of an apartment.

 3.  FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is what you will need to fill out in order to apply for financial aid. Depending on your particular circumstances, you may be given grants or loans that will help you pay your tuition.

 4. Scholarships - scholarships are not just for athletes. You can receive scholarships based on your academic achievements, financial needs, volunteering time, or even based on your race or gender. There are thousands and thousands of scholarships available, some even through your own high school and university. A quick search online will bring up a plethora of websites where you can apply for specific scholarships to help you cover your costs.

 5.  Extra Credits - the best way to cut your tuition bill is to graduate early. If you take a few extra classes each semester you will be able to accumulate enough credits to graduate a semester or even a year early. This will be made even easier if you take a few AP courses in high school which will also add credits to your total accumulations.

How Making Friends at University?

University is a fantastic place to meet new friends. Freshers' Week is one of the greatest times to simply go up to people and say 'Hey!' The first people you will encounter will most likely be your housemates (unless you don't live on campus), but you will also get the opportunity to make friends on your course, in a society that you join, or in part time employment. Don't think that you have to make all of your friends in the first week that you arrive, or even in your first year. Some of the greatest friends you will make, might not be the first people that you meet!

Being with a new group of people can be really exciting; you will do a lot of talking in your first day as you chat to the new people around you! The best way to make friends in Freshers week is to just be yourself; be friendly, open minded and enjoy what other people are talking about. Ask lots of questions too!

What if I commute or live off campus?

If this is you, you can still make some fantastic friends even if you live with your folks. Join some societies and meet people here, and stick around after your lectures or seminars to have a drink with your fellow students. A lot of people make great friendships through their classes and societies and this is ideal for home students. If your friends go on a night out and you want to get involved, ask if it would be alright if you kip one someones floor or sofa.

Good conversation topics

- Wear something random if you dare, like a really bright hat. People will admire you for it, and it will prove a great conversation starter!

- Hobbies. Everyone has them! Ask what people do for fun, and whether they will be joining any societies. You might find that you have something in common with one of your new friends.

- Has anyone been on a gap year? Almost always someone in your group will have done. Get them to showcase their photos and tell their stories.

- Where you come from, what you studied, what you are studying at Uni. You might find that someone from your flat is on the same course as you, or that they live near to you back home.

- Put on some low music as you unpack your stuff on the first day; someone is bound to pop their hand in who loves the same song!

What if I am shy?

If you are worrying about University because you are shy and quite quiet, don't worry. A lot of people are shy, and a lot will feel exactly the same, and it is completely normal. When it comes to meeting people in the first few days, no one will know anybody else, so you wont be the only new kid on the block.

Most people will leave their bedroom doors open when it's the first day of Freshers; do the same, even if your bedroom is covered in bags of clothes and stuff your Mum packed you. People will be walking down the corridors heading to their new room, so holler out a hello! They will be pleased you made the effort. Introduce yourself with your name; you don't have to waffle out everything about yourself straight away as if you're on Family Fortunes - "Hello my name is Chris, I'm 18 from Manchester!". Start with your name and work it from there. Just try and relax. The person you are saying hello to might come across as confident, but they might be feeling exactly the same inside!

Preparing Your High School Grad For The College Experience

Let's admit it, while we as parents may be looking forward to getting those pesky teenagers out of our hair and gone to school in the fall, we will also have to face the fact that this is a stepping stone to their adult life and once they are properly enrolled at the college of their choice things will never again be the same. Of course, this is a change that cannot be avoided and as a parent is an occasion that is marked by both pride and anguish.

Giving up your child at this time doesn't mean that you need to drop them off at the college campus in August and then forget they ever were around for the next few months. To the contrary, your goal and role will be to guide them through this transition. To give them with the support they need to be successful and the shoulder to cry on for every bump in the road.

Before you begin packing the suitcases and boxes and choosing the dormitory supplies you will need to prepare your child mentally for the road ahead. There are many challenges to this new beginning and there will be some hiccups as they go along. They will face financial challenges along with emotional ones. Many will be alone without familiar supports for perhaps the very first time in their lives, and this means that they may wind up calling Mom or Dad to help guide them through a problem or crisis.

It is at this point that parents must proceed with caution and not put out the welcome flag and invite their student to come running home. Within a few days most issues, even the really serious ones, begin resolving themselves so it is best to listen actively to your student and encourage them to figure out their own plan of action without attempting to rescue them. A large part of becoming an adult is to learn to take care of your own issues.

Should I Continue My Education After College?

You finished one milestone - an undergraduate degree, so what's next?

You may be questioning yourself: Should I continue my education after college? Will the benefits outweigh the costs? And so forth.

These questions riddling your mind, can be answered through other queries:

Does your career demand a higher education?

An advanced education will likely boost the career you are working in. If you work in law or medicine, just as an example, the higher skill sets you earn through education, the more qualified you'll become to perform your duties, which leads to better job security - discussed below.

Do you want better job security?

A competitive workforce means only the cream of the crop will thrive. According to the Census Bureau, those with a master's degree earn roughly 15% more than their bachelor holding counterparts. Also, the statistics provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, titled "Education Pays", showed that those holding a higher education fell into lower unemployment categories, along with more median weekly salaries.

Do you want to advance your knowledge and skills?

One of things that will give you an improved advantage in life is knowledge. You've heard this time and again - that books open windows to the world, and an education, better education - is a ticket to your dreams.

Are you passionate about your field of study?

This is the main question you should ask yourself when deciding to pursue a graduate degree. This is because advanced degrees tend to focus on one specific subject area. If you plan to make a lifelong career out of nursing for instance, then taking master's courses in this area is one way of promoting yourself into management roles. The same is true for other careers like teaching, medicine, physiology, psychology and much more.

If you've answered yes to most of these questions, it's perhaps in your best interest to pursue a graduate, or even a post graduate degree.