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.
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!
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Are you in the process of choosing a college? The current recession is affecting students and colleges everywhere. Many students are looking for more affordable options and some are even transfering from their current college to other schools with lower tuition. I caught up with one University of Colorado at Boulder student who is transfering to an in-state school to save money. Check out this video to find out how the economic crunch is affecting America’s college students.
Has the economic downturn made you re-think your college choice? Share your experience and visit myUsearch.com to find your college match.
The time has come. As we reach the final days before application deadlines, you may be looking at your to-do stack unsure why all this is necessary. Why can’t I just throw out these forms and become a wise mountain hermit? you wonder. Those of you who can answer that question and choose to continue pursuing a college education, you may instead be asking, Just how many of these applications should I really be doing? I offer you a few considerations:
I can’t count how many times my high school teachers told me, “We’re doing this to prepare you for college!” Of course, this phrase usually came after assigning a twelve-page paper, passing out an impossibly long test, or telling us another terrifying tale of frat parties gone awry. Although I’m honestly more than grateful for the help, I’m happy to say my first quarter at Seattle University has been a bit different from some of those expectations.
When I got off the plane in Connecticut this August, I was already worried that home was disappearing behind me. I wondered what it would be like to return home at Thanksgiving. Would I feel like I’d never left, like no time had passed and nothing had changed? Or would I feel out of place, like home wasn’t home anymore? I think a lot of first semester college freshman struggle with losing their sense of home. Here’s my experience going back for the first time.
When I went to summer camp for the first time when I was nine, I missed my parents and my home so much, I cried every night. Of course, I have matured since then. I’m more independent. I can go a few days — make that months — without seeing my family and my friends from home. But that doesn’t mean I don’t get homesick. I decided to go to college out-of-state, and knowing that I can’t jump in the car and drive home for the weekend doesn’t make my homesickness any better. I think this is an important factor to consider when deciding if you want to go to an out-of-state college, but it also shouldn’t deter you from going to school across the country if you think that’s what will be best for you.
When I interviewed my fellow Yale freshman suitemates about tips for getting into the Ivy League, they agreed that the admission process is often more about luck than strategy. While it’s important to keep this in mind if your heart is set on an Ivy League school, there are things you can do to improve your chances of admission. I asked my suitemates what they thought was most important for people to keep in mind when applying for college. Here’s what they had to say.
I’ve been writing on my college blog (Kill Jill Goes To College) since February and I’ve been blogging for myUsearch since April. So, I know my way around college websites and the college blogosphere. Here are some of the best college websites out there.
Now that I’m in college, it’s easy to look back and wish I’d learned a few more things in high school. Between studying for midterms and meeting new people each day, I realize I’m playing catch up. There are some basic skills and habits I could’ve learned in high school that would’ve made my transition to college a little easier. It’s never too early to study the tricks of the college student trade.
People don’t just go to Ivy League schools for the architecture. After spending about two weeks at Yale, I am beginning to realize why I’m here: infinite opportunity. I had my share of anxiety this summer, wondering if I would fit in at Yale, wondering if Yale would be all they say it is. Is the Ivy League all I’d expected? The truth is: it is and it isn’t.
Have you decided on your major yet? Given any thought to your career plans?
If you haven’t, don’t worry. However, consider at least taking some core classes that will help you in practically any career you choose. Don’t wait until you’ve chosen your major before diving into these. Most colleges have these courses as freshman-level classes, so you can start laying your foundation now even if you haven’t decided what to do after you get your college degree.
