myUsearch blog

If you’re heading off to college in September, you’ve probably already started packing for college, but there’s something you might easily forget. It’s the documentation you’ll need to quickly and easily earn credit for any coursework you completed, or for AP tests you took. Colleges are pretty bureaucratic by nature and if you don’t have your paperwork ready or your documentation submitted online, you could be in for some hassles. Whether you are a transfer student or an incoming freshman, here are some steps you can take to avoid frustration and delays:

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Taking freshman college courses during the summer before college can be a very good idea.  Here are just a few reasons to consider it:

1)      It’s a good way to reduce the stress of your freshman college year. If you can knock off only one of your required freshman college courses by taking a course online or at a local college, you can clear your schedule and your mind for freshman year.

2)      You can use summer courses to prepare for freshman college courses that you will take in September. If you will have to take a writing course, for example, why not take one during the summer before college as a trial run?  It’s a smart way increase your odds of success in September when the course will really “count.”

3)      You can explore possible majors. If you’re thinking of majoring in business, accounting, pre-med or another specific subject area, taking courses in those areas can be a reduced-risk way to help you make up your mind. (And possibly avoid being one of those students who changes majors two or three times.)

4)      You can prepare for placement exams once you arrive in college. If you take a summer course in math or a language, for example, you might be able to place out of freshman college courses and move ahead.

5)      You can build yourself up in weak areas. Let’s face it – we all have them. Maybe you secretly know you are a slow reader, or that you have forgotten most of the algebra you learned when you were in ninth grade. If so, taking review classes can be a great way to build a foundation for success during your summer before college.

There are a lot of reasons to take freshman college courses the summer before college. Did I miss one? Please leave a comment.

Today, bloggers across the country will unite for Japan disaster relief. Below is the article we’ve prepared, but be sure to check out the Bloggers Unite event website as well. All donations made through this event will be matched by the Ogawa family.

When I first sat down to write this post, I was all prepared to write about how to plan a fundraiser to generate funds for the relief agencies that are providing direct aid to the people of Japan.  I had even come up with a few, what I considered to be, rather clever ideas for these fundraisers.  But as I started to write those ideas down, I began to think of all the students who don’t have the time or resources that would be required.   I found my thoughts turning to the images of the people of Japan that I have seen over this past month – not the pictures of incredible devastation, but the images of resilience and kindness that these people have managed to hold on to, in spite of their world being washed out from beneath them.  I began to wonder if there wasn’t something much simpler and more long-lasting that students – and everyone else – can do to help in this situation and many others.

Photo by Peter Mottola

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Most every college or university in America has a number of required college courses that you have to take in order to graduate.  I think that’s a good thing because many students discover a potential major in required freshman college courses. Plus, required courses certify that your education stands for something. When you start to look for a job after you graduate, potential employers know that you have certain competencies they can count on.

However…..I believe there are other courses – many not required in core college curriculums – that people ought to consider when they ask the question, “Which classes should I take in college?”. Here are just a few:

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Yes, it’s that time of year again: the big move to college. Boxes and bags are ready to be filled with your treasured belongings. But do you really need to take your stamp collection? Your scuba gear? Every pair of shoes you own? No. We will be revealing our college must haves list, but first and most importantly, let’s discuss what NOT to bring to college.

(Photo by Roo Reynolds.)

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Let’s face it, being in college does not always lend itself to healthy eating habits.  Late night study sessions, short breaks between classes and a million other things that eat up your time during the day can lead to missed meals and quick snacking on junk food.  Add in the study breaks that often include those less than healthy dorm snacks and you can see why it’s so easy to put on the “Freshman 15″.

 Photo by superiphi

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Students and their parents often experience “sticker shock” when it comes to the price of college textbooks.  Students can end up paying over $1000 in the course of a year if they choose to purchase all new textbooks.  If you happen to take courses that have an additional lab or supply fee, that amount could be even higher.   The good news is that you now have a money-saving option: you can rent your textbooks online.

  Photo by pmc cormi

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As students put high school behind them and begin to look ahead to college, they can sometimes think that they’ve got it all covered.  Of course, as a parent you know that there will be challenges ahead of them that they can’t quite foresee.  Their transition to college will present some of those challenges pretty quickly, but there are a few things you can do to help them meet those challenges. (more…)

I’m not one for regrets. Personally, I believe we all have a pattern in life. As for wishes, a favorite musician of mine, Eric Bogle, sings, “If wishes were fishes, we’d all cast nets into the sea.” We are all granted opportunities in life (sometimes they are disguised as problems) but if you sit around wishing for things, you’ll likely just continue to sit around. Still, you’ll often hear college graduates, especially those involved in a job search, talking about the things they wish they had done in college. So, with this in mind, I’ve put together a list of five important things you’ll want to consider before embarking on the next four years.

Photo by Velkr0

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Today we have a guest post from Barry Lenson, a contributing editor at StraighterLine. He writes extensively on education and success in blogs, books, newsletters and other publications.

Many students are now taking courses before they arrive on campus. Cal State schools will soon be requiring some new students to take remedial courses in English and math before they arrive on campus. Some students are taking required college courses twice – once ahead of time, and then again on campus – so they can get better grades the second time around. Others are reducing overall college expenses by taking required courses at low-cost community colleges. But whatever motivations are at work, more students are seeking ways to earn college credits before they show up for freshman year. If you’re thinking about it too, here are some effective ways to get those credits earned ahead of time.

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People who start college later in life or return to complete what they’ve left unfinished usually have something quite valuable – life and business experience. Shouldn’t they get credit for the knowledge they’ve acquired along the way? Some colleges will give you just that. Whether you have military experience, have owned a small business or have held jobs in healthcare, sales, IT, or any other field, you may be eligible for college credits based on the learning and experience you have acquired outside the college campus.

 Photo by glenmcbethlaw

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I can’t believe how fast time flies! It’s already November of my senior year at the University of Rhode Island and the fall semester will soon be coming to a close. It seems like just yesterday, I was a wide-eyed freshman walking around a campus completely unknown to me, looking to meet new people and try exciting things. It’s hard to think that three years has gone by in a flash and come May, I’ll be wearing a cap and gown.  Even though I’m not a freshman anymore, I still make plenty of mistakes! Here are my best college tips for making your experience both easy and enjoyable!

  Photo by Steve Vogt

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A friend of mine is a 5th Grade teacher in Aurora, Colorado and she asked me to write a letter to her class:

“My students are very curious about college, yet still are unaware of the realities of adulthood (some think “playing football” is going to be their declared major). Most of them don’t think college is even an option for them, because no one in their family has ever considered it. To that end,  I’m seeking out positive adults in my life in hopes that you would be able to share a bit about your childhood, your experience attending college, and your current profession. Our student population is very diverse, and many of my students are 1st or 2nd generation immigrants.  Most come from economically disadvantaged families and have few luxuries in their lives. They are kids who have a lot of potential, but many have minimal awareness about the world at large. Because their families have usually not had the opportunity to attend college, they know very little about opportunities available to them.”

This got me thinking. What advice would I give 5th graders about life and college? And yes, I know you’re not a 5th grader, but you might just learn something from my advice.

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Some things, like going to class, seem obvious. But there is a huge temptation to skip class in college. There’s a lot of other things to do that you might find more interesting than, say, “density functional theory.” Unlike high school, many college classes don’t take attendance. And if you’re living away from home, your parents aren’t there to make sure you get to class.

Photo by rofltosh.

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With dual enrollment programs, high school students can take college classes and earn credits for free or reduced fees, but unlike AP or IB, classes are taken through an actual college. These programs are a great a way to try out college-level work and save on tuition, but what about the social side of dual enrollment? Here are some things to consider:

photo by Jake Shepherd

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Last week, our friends over at Unigo published a great back to school guide with a ton of tips for college freshman,  including links and videos with helpful advice for those of you starting college for the first time. After checking this out, it made me wonder what tips I’d give to college freshman. As a wise old sophmore in college, I think it’s my duty to tell you a few things.

Here are some basic tips for your first year away from home.

Image courtesy of foundphotoslj.

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Many of you will be starting college in about ten weeks. These can be some of the most exciting and nerve-wracking times of your life. You’re probably wondering when you should start packing, whether or not you should contact your future roommate or wait for him or her to contact you first, and how many posters you need for your dorm room. Here’s a week by week guide for the ten week countdown. Follow this advice and it will make the mad rush before college a little easier.

Photo by lastyearsgirl

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Creating Career Pathways

As you start college, your career may seem a lifetime away. You very well may pack a lifetime of experiences into these next few years, but your time in college will pass quickly and soon you’ll find yourself seeking your first “real” job. Depending on the steps you’ve taken to prepare for your job search, you may have quick success or experience unemployment for longer than you planned. That’s why it is never too early to start creating pathways to your career. Getting an education is one important step to finding the employment you desire, but networking is the best way to invite opportunities after graduation. (more…)

People always give the same criteria for choosing a college. I remember this from my days as a bright-eyed high school student eager to find the perfect college. Since those days long, long ago I’ve grown old and wise. And by old and wise, I mean I’m almost finished with my freshman year, and after all the mixed feelings about my experience so far at the school I finally decided to attend, I can emphasize some important, and not always obvious, criteria that every high school student should consider when choosing a college.

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Several of the colleges I was considering either required or recommended applicants take a number of SAT Subject Tests. For all the pressure there was to do well on the “regular” SAT and ACT, I knew almost nothing about the Subject Tests. In case you’re in the same boat as I was, read on for some of my lessons from experience.

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