Posts published in November, 2017

Tips for College Students Living at Home: Making it Work

BY JANE HURST

Not everyone goes away to college. If you have decided to continue your education locally, you may also choose to remain living at home in order to save money. But, now that you are a college student, is this living arrangement going to work? After all, you are an adult now, and want to live by your own rules. But, since you will still be living in your parents’ home, they will likely expect you to live by their rules. The trick is for both sides to be able to make some compromises. Here are eight tips that will help you make living at home work.

• Discuss Expectations
  You will expect your parents to treat you as an adult and not as a child, and they expect you to be respectful of their house rules. What chores are everyone expected to do? Do they expect you to pay any bills? Do you expect them to start giving you more privacy? Make sure that everyone knows where they stand with this living arrangement.
• Discuss Visitors
  It is important to discuss visitors. Do you plan to have people in regularly to study or visit? Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend, and want them to be able to spend the night? The rules are different now that you are an adult and in college, but this doesn’t mean that your parents are going to be comfortable. Discuss it with them before you invite anyone over.
• Discuss Rent
  If you expect to be treated like an adult, you need to behave like one, and this means paying rent. This can be quite beneficial to you, because you would be considered a tenant, which means that you have a lot more say as to when you come and go, what you eat, who you hang around with, etc.
• Save Your Money
  One of the main reasons why you chose to live at home while attending college is to save money. “So, start saving your money. If you are working at a part-time job while going to school, this is a great time to start saving for the future (or have money to pay off student loan debt later on),” suggests an expert from Flipping Houses 101.
• Find a Quiet Space
  Now that you are paying rent, you may want to ask about having more space. Your bedroom likely isn’t the best place for studying. If there is another room in the house that isn’t being used, such as a spare bedroom or a rec room, as if you can turn a corner of it into your own personal study area.
• Talk about Curfews
  You will need to talk about curfews, which should now be a thing of the past. While you are still living at home, you are no longer a high school student, and you need to have rules that you can actually live with. For instance, you may no longer need a curfew, but you can agree to let your parents know if you are going to be coming home late, out of consideration.
• Join Clubs and Teams
  One of the biggest problems with living at home is that you may be less likely to take part in school activities, because you aren’t living on campus. You can still get that full college experience, even if you are living at home. Be sure to find clubs, teams, activities, etc. that you are interested in, and sign up. This will also keep you from being at home all the time.
• Work on Family Relationships
  It can be difficult for adult children to live with their parents. You may not always agree with the way they run the home, and they may not always agree with your lifestyle. You need to take time to work on family relationships. Encourage open dialogues, schedule family activities, etc. in order to get along well and remain close.

Byline:

Jane Hurst has been working in education for over 5 years as a teacher. She loves sharing her knowledge with students, is fascinated about edtech and loves reading, a lot. Follow Jane on Twitter.

 

Women Outpace Men In College Success By Big Margin

From Real Clear Education

 

Gender Gap: It’s been well documented that women are outperforming men in education, especially in higher education. There are approximately 2.2 million more women than men enrolled in college today. And, according to a new Atlantic piece by Alana Semuels, the gender gap is particularly exaggerated among low-income students. “Women from low-income and minority families especially have made great strides in recent decades,” writes Semuels. “Just 12.4 percent of men from low-income families who were high-school sophomores in 2002 had received a bachelor’s degree by 2013, compared to 17.6 percent of women. And in 2016, 22 percent of Hispanic women ages 25 to 29 had a bachelor’s degree, compared to 16 percent of Hispanic men.” The piece goes on to examine why this trend is occurring and why men are generally less interested in education and pursuing a postsecondary degree. One way to entice more young men may be to emphasize trade skills and vocational education. In a new piece for RealClearEducation, Jim Clements, the Trade Instructor of Mechanics, Carpentry and Welding at Boys Town High School, explains how teaching trades can be appealing to at-risk youth and can also help them perform better in traditional classroom settings.

5 Ways To Get Your First Internship In College

BY SYLVIA KOHL

Internships are important

In this day and age, internships are not only encouraged, but they’ve also become a necessity. Working as an intern (most of the time without pay) will allow young students such as yourself the chance to dip their toes into the workplace and experiment with different careers. This can not only help you gain some much-needed working experience but will also aid you in making connections that will help you in the long run.

If you’re interested in getting your first internship offer while you’re in college, here are a few easy tips and tricks.

Tips and strategies

1. Get to work on your cover letter and resume. This is the first thing a company will see about you, so it’s an important part of the selection process. A good cover letter and a cleverly designed resume can give you a leg up and put you in the “to interview” pile.
2. Create a blog or website. If you want to go the extra mile, you can create your online portfolio (depending on your career of choice it may be a necessity). This will let potential employers get to know you and your work better. In turn, you can use analytics tools like leadfeeder to keep an eye on which companies are interested in you.
3. Do your research. If there’s one particular company you’re hoping to land an internship in, it’s wise to do your research. Get to know as much of the company as possible (including their products/services) so that when it comes the time to be interviewed you will certainly peak their interest and stand out from your competitors thanks to the knowledge and passion you show them.
4. Get advice from people who know the game. Make an effort to talk to professors, parents, other students, and anyone you can think of who can give you insight and help you prepare for the interviewing process. First impressions are important, especially during an interview process, so arming yourself with knowledge will help you be more confident when you’re at that stage.
   They can also help you get your foot in the door if they know someone who may be looking for an intern for the summer.
5. Apply everywhere. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Much like college applications, it’s advisable to have plenty of options when it comes to internships, even if you already have a place in mind you want to go to. Spread your resume and cover letter far and wide to better your odds. Be proactive, search for listings on company websites, and don’t be afraid to explore choices outside of your chosen career. There is no better time for experimenting.

Conclusion

When it comes to landing an internship, there are several things to keep in mind, from your cover letter and resume to doing your research and even acing your interview. I know it may sound daunting to go through that process, but really, it’s not that hard. As long as you put in the work and make an effort, you’ll be landing your first intern position before you know it.

Sylvia Kohl is an IT teacher with more than 8 years of professional experience. Her main spheres of interest are e-education and she convinced that learning process doesn’t stop after years in school and university.

 

7 Tips for Funding Travel While in College

BY AMELIA MALONE

People often say that college is the best time to travel. You’re not married yet, you don’t have kids, there’s no rigid career schedule to work with, and you probably don’t have a mortgage. It all seems great, but people tend to forget that most students are working on a really tight budget. It’s possible to travel, but you might need to be clever in the way you fund that travel.

Here are 7 essential tips to help you fund your travels while you’re in college.

1. Freelance

A lot of students have a hard time balancing a career alongside college. For these students, freelancing is often the perfect alternative. As a freelancer, you can work from your computer and make your own schedule. All kinds of skills – particularly writing and web skills – have a big place in the freelance market. So if you’re good at building websites or writing code, you can easily score gigs that will help you put some money aside. Start that savings account you’ve always wanted and fill it with your earnings.

2. Share

If you don’t live in a dorm and you have some extra space, make money off of that space. You might be able to save more moving into a two bedroom apartment and splitting costs with a roommate. If you have an extra room or garage, you can use a site like Spacer to rent it out as storage to someone who needs a place to keep their stuff.

3. Volunteer

Volunteer organizations all over the world are always looking for students to help them with environmental or humanitarian projects. You might get to travel for free if you sign up to help. Of course you won’t wind up having your dream vacation, but you can still spend your off days exploring someplace new. Check with your college employment service to find out about these opportunities.

4. Tutor

If you’re really strong at a particular subject and you have classmates who aren’t, offer yourself up as a tutor. Charging for your time is fair – you’re providing a service that your peers need. You can also tutor lower level students, such as high school students. Parents are often happy to hire a tutor who is currently enrolled in college.

5. Teach

If you’re majoring in a language, you might be able to travel abroad for free. Other learning institutions, as well as corporate entities, are willing to pay top dollar for language majors to teach their students or employees. You’ll be funding your travel by working while you’re away. You might even get to cash in on some of the company perks. Use your skill as a native speaker of English. Becoming an ESL teacher is easier than you think – many times you won’t even need that type of qualification to start teaching English abroad.

6. Group

If you opt for a group travel package with some of your peers, everyone will be funding your travels. Group rates are often discounted, so everyone pays a little less. The money is pooled together to pay for everything, and you all are getting a bargain. You won’t need to save up quite as much. Try to snag package deals during a sale to maximize your savings.

7. Learn

Some college classes provide extravagant field trips. Part of the cost is subsidized by the college, which ultimately saves you money. If any of your classes have optional field trips that might take you somewhere exciting (especially if it’s out of the country), you’ll rarely find a less expensive way to see the world. Ask your instructors about that type of opportunities and you might land an amazing adventure at a low cost.

 

You might not be able to stay at an extravagant chateau in the south of France, but you might be surprised to learn how far you can actually travel in college. Stay frugal and keep your trips simple. They’re easier to fund than you probably think.

Amelie Mahone is a loving wife and a mother of 3. She loves to read about history and write articles on various topics, such as: business, education, history, teaching. Amelie is a Communications Specialist at Spacer – a sharing community website where you can rent or find space.

 

Repayment advice for student loans: manage your loan

BY DAVID GUTIERREZ

The modern economy is practically forcing people to take loans and to look for ways to handle their debt. Of course, students are not an exception. Many of them are taking student loans in order to get the tuition. But, this is not necessarily a difficult thing. With a good repayment plan for student loans, students can ensure that everything is going smoothly. In order to save you time and money, we have created this article in which you can find repayment advice for your student loan.

Do your homework

This is probably one of the phrases students encounter on a regular basis, but in the case of student loans, it means that you should analyze every loan offer you can get. Keep in mind that almost every student loan is different. There are student loans that come with repayment bonuses. These incentives are working even when the student finishes college. On the other hand, there are loans that cut these privileges once the student graduates.

Take care of the documents

Even if you are planning on using a professional tax relief service provider like Vanguard Tax Relief, it is crucial to store the documents and even the correspondences related to your student loan in a safe way. This is the only way to ensure that you completely understand what your duties and rights are. It won’t take much time before you have to start the repayment process. Create a system that will allow you to access every document you need quickly. In this way, you will also create an efficient reminder about the amount of money you have to pay. Loan transfer notices, promissory notes, loan applications – these are just some of the important documents you have to keep.

Check the mail

While we are talking about student loan paperwork and loan repayments, it’s good to point out that checking your mail (and email) on a regular basis is a must. You should definitely expect a mail after graduation and prior to your graduation. Read all these mails carefully and store them as we have advised before.

Take the counseling sessions

It is not unusual to get a chance to attend student loan counseling sessions when you take the loan. Use every opportunity to be part of these sessions. They usually represent short sessions where you can learn a lot of things about obligations and rights.

Use the tax cost savings to the maximum

There are many college students with student loans that are eligible for tax cuts. In order to learn more about this, you should consult a tax expert. There are many things that contribute to your eligibility.

Be consistent

It would best to submit the payment once it becomes due every month. It doesn’t really matter whether you will get a monthly bill or not.

These are just some of the steps that can help you repay your student loan without any hassles.

David Gutierrez has worked in the field of web design since 2005. Right now he started learning Java in order to get second occupation. His professional interests defined major topics of his articles. David writes about new web design software, recently discovered professional tricks and also monitors the latest updates of the web development.

 

 

 

 

 

Oral Communication Skills Are Important for Students

BY ANTON LUCANUS

Communication skills are vital for a student’s academic success and future career prospects. In today’s challenging environment, students must not only possess academic expertise, but also the requisite skills to enhance their learning and employability prospects in the future.

Communication is a dynamic process as it involves an interaction between two or more people i.e. the sender and the receiver. The main purpose of communication is to transmit thoughts and beliefs to another person. The major components of communication are verbal communication or oral communication and non-verbal communication. Oral communication is the process of expressing ideas through the medium of speech and this plays a crucial role in the life of students.

Importance of Oral Communication for Students

An individual learns the basics of oral communication right at home. The school environment takes this learning a notch higher by teaching the student how to interact with peers and teachers alike. The quality of communication in student life will define professional communication later in life.

Good communication enables students to assimilate more from the learning process by empowering them to ask relevant questions and discuss doubts.

Effective verbal communication nurtures the process of socialization by facilitating new friendships and these in turn aid the learning process.

Productive communication is a boost to career development. An ability to convey thoughts in a clear and precise manner would help a student to make a favorable impression at an interview and get the job that he deserves.

Communication skills inculcate professionalism in speaking styles, ways of self-expression and attitudes towards others, and these traits would hold students in good stead in their professional lives.

Dynamics of Oral Communication

The hallmark of a good student communicator is that he has mastered the art of preparing, organizing and delivering successful oral presentations. Oral communication includes real-time presentations, video presentations and interviews, with accompanying visual aids such as handouts and power-points.

Message is the key to a good oral communication. The substance of the presentation should be relevant to the audience and goals of the presentation.

Self-awareness is the starting point of good oral communication. A person who is aware of his strengths and weaknesses can put in the required efforts to improve communication skills.

Confidence is another vital aspect of good communication. A person may know the subject and yet not communicate adequately if he lacks confidence.

Simplicity in messaging is indispensable for good communication as assimilation of the message is directly proportional to clarity of its presentation.

Awareness of the audience is an important tool in the hands of an effective oral communicator. A good communicator can guage the impact of the by observing the body language and feedback of the audience and adjust his approach accordingly.

Interaction is the path to effectiveness. A student oral communicator can keep the audience engaged by asking questions and soliciting opinions on the subject matter at hand. This would also help in fine tuning the message and style of presentation, based on the feedback received from the audience.

The tone of voice of the presenter carries a lot of weight in delivery of the message. A confident tone keeps the audience engaged, whereas a low and monotonous tone can be off-putting. Voice modulation can also be employed to highlight the key points in the presentation and retain the attention of the audience.

Body language is an important component of effective oral communication. The student should adopt a stable and confident posture, make appropriate gestures, avoid being fidgety and establish eye contact during the presentation.

Oral communication is not merely the ability to speak, but also the capacity to listen. A good communicator is one who is attuned to the audience and is able to calibrate his message accordingly. An aspiring oral communicator should be willing to acquire and hone his listening skills over a period of time.

 The Path to Effective Oral Communication

Oral communication is an art that can be learnt and polished through reading, presentation skills and practice.

An oral communicator should have intellectual curiosity. Reading is a means to the development of good communication skills. A well-educated mind would be able to communicate better as content is the soul of the communication process. He should also possess an attitude of discussion and deliberation as this would improve intellectual capabilities and thereby contribute to effective communication.

Effective writing skills and good verbal communication skills go hand-in-hand although they may appear antithetical to a newbie. A student with good writing skills would alone be in a position to organize and present his thoughts in a structured manner; an exposure to the nitty-gritty of essay writing would be immensely beneficial in that regard.

The age-old dictum ‘Practice makes a person perfect’ makes perfect sense in the world of oral communication. The first impression is the best impression and many students fail this test due to a various impediments such as stage fright, lack of self-confidence and performance anxiety. A student can conquer his fears and master the art of oral communication by participating in many real and mock presentations, and speech-based activities.

Active participation in the community would transform a student into a good communicator by honing his linguistic abilities. Moreover, a leadership position in an academic setting would be an important asset on the CV of a student.

To conclude, a student willing to put his nose to the grindstone can indeed make a smooth transition from a tentative speaker to an effective and seasoned oral communicator.

Byline – Anton Lucanus is the Director of Neliti. During his college years, he maintained a perfect GPA, was published in a top cancer journal, and received many of his country’s most prestigious undergraduate scholarships. Anton writes for The College Puzzle as a means to share the lessons learnt throughout his degree and to guide current students to achieve personal and educational fulfilment during college life.

 

College Safety Tips for Student Living Situations

BY GORDON SCHORR

Now that you are living on your own for the first time, whether it be in a dorm room or your own apartment on or near campus, you can’t just throw caution to the wind. Remember all of those safety tips your mother drilled into you when you were a kid? These were important things to learn, and things that you need to remember no matter where you are. Let’s take a look at some of the best safety tips for college students.

Give Someone Your Schedule 

It is a good idea to make sure that friends and family members know your routine. That way, if there is an emergency, or if you aren’t where you should be, someone will know and be able to help you if you need it, or at least get in touch with you if something should happen.

Lock Your Doors 

Even if you are in a dorm room, it is important to keep your doors locked at all time, whether you are there or not. Even if you are just stepping out to go to the kitchen for a minute, lock up. It only takes a few seconds for someone to get into your room and steal your valuables. Remember to keep your windows locked as well.

Install Door and Window Alarms 

Most dorms and apartment buildings have security alarms, but it can’t hurt to have additional alarms on your doors and windows. These are inexpensive and easy to install, and they will alert you if someone tries to sneak in. If you are not there, someone will be alerted and be able to call the police.

Get some Pepper Spray 

“If it is legal in your area, get yourself a can of pepper spray, and carry it with you at all times, especially when you are out alone at night,” suggests an expert at Pain Free NYC.  If pepper spray is not legal, carry a small can of hair spray in your purse or pocket. It can give you enough time to momentarily confuse an attacker so you can get away.

Hide Your Valuables 

Don’t leave valuables laying around for anyone to see. Get a small safe, such as a diversion safe that looks like an everyday object, to hide your valuables in. Also, don’t flaunt expensive jewelry, clothing, laptops and other gadgets, etc. The wrong people may just take notice and then try to steal them from you.

Create an Evacuation Plan 

It is important to have an evacuation plan in the event of a fire. Create a plan that is going to give you the easiest and quickest route out of the building, and include alternative paths just in case one is blocked. Practice your evacuation plan periodically to keep it fresh in your mind should you need to use it.

Use the Elevator 

A lot of violent crimes happen in dark, quiet stairwells. Always use the elevator rather than the stairs whenever possible. If there is someone in the elevator that seems sketchy, simply don’t get on, and wait for the next one. Always trust your instincts, especially when they are telling you to be careful.

Prevent Injuries 

“Look for ways that you can prevent injuries from happening. It only takes a stray item on the floor to cause a broken bone if you trip and fall over it. Pick things up and keep your space uncluttered,” says Dr. Leon Reyfman. Don’t run up and down the stairs, even if you are late. Accidents are preventable.

Avoid Using Candles 

It is a good idea to stock up on flashlights, battery operated candles, etc. That way, if there is a power outage, you will have light, but it won’t be dangerous. It is far too easy to start fires when you are using candles, and you can get plenty of cheap flashlights at your local dollar store.

Gordon Schorr is an online educator and creative writer

8 Ways to Improve Your Grades if You are Under Performing

BY LORRAINE McKINNEY

 

You may have gotten away with underperforming occasionally in high school, but you are paying for your college education, and you need to make the most out of it. This means that if you are underperforming now, you have to find ways to nip that problem right in the bud. There can be several reasons why you may not be doing as well as you would like in college. What you need to do is figure out why you are underperforming, and then look for things you can do to turn this around. Here are eight tips that can help.

Learn How to Really Take Notes – If you are just scribbling down notes in class on scraps of paper, your notes aren’t going to be organized, and it is going to make studying difficult. Even if you are using a notebook, if you are not taking notes properly, you may have trouble deciphering them later on. Type them up to make them even easier to read, and review what you have learned.

1. Improve Your Memory – It can be difficult to remember everything you are learning, especially when it comes time to be tested during exams. If you find that you don’t remember a lot of facts and figures easily, you need to work on ways to improve your memory. There are plenty of memory techniques you can use that will help you prepare for and ace your exams.
2. Brush Up On Writing Skills – Most of your courses will require essay writing, and it could be a big part of your grade. You need to learn what your teachers are looking for, and how to cover every proper aspect of writing a good essay, as well as how to respond to feedback. Don’t take criticism as criticism. Take it as a way to learn what you need to improve on, and do even better the next time.
3. Find Your Learning Style – According to Dr. Michael Ghalchi not everyone learns the same way, even though specific learning styles are drilled into us from the time we are in grade school. You may need to figure out why your current way of learning isn’t working for you, and then work on finding your own learning style that will make learning a lot easier.
4. Go to Summer School – If you need more help, you may find that enrolling in a summer academics program can really help. You are going to get a couple of extra months of learning in, and be better prepared for the fall semester. This is a great opportunity to brush up on the things you didn’t do well in during the last semester as well.
5. Ask Questions – “If you really pay attention in class and ask questions, you won’t have to study nearly as much later on, and you will retain more. Listen to what the teachers are saying instead of checking messages on your phone. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand something, and ask for further explanations,” suggests Dr. Susan Bard.
6. Go Over Everything – Make sure that you cover all of the topics in your syllabus. The last thing you need is to end up missing something important because you weren’t studying the right things. Now is the time to go over each and every part of the syllabus, even if it means revising everything from scratch.
7. Make Learning a Game – There are all kinds of ways that you can make learning more fun. Start by studying with a group of friends, so you have others to talk to. Make a game out of your studies in order to get more out of what you are learning. The more fun you are having, the more you are going to end up retaining.

Lorraine McKinney is an academic tutor and elearning specialist.

How to Avoid Substance Abuse while in College

BY JANE HURST

For any number of reasons, substance abuse is at an all-time high on college campuses. Often, it is simply the freedom of being away from your parents for the first time, and you really want to try out as many new experiences as possible. For some students, there is so much pressure to get good grades (either from themselves or from their families) that they turn to substances to cope. Whatever the reason, there are always alternative to substance abuse. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can avoid substance abuse while in college.

• Reject Peer Pressure You may think that this is something to worry about more when you are younger, but anyone can be affected by peer pressure, and at any age. You may want to impress your new friends by showing them how much you can drink and party. After a while, you are going to get into some habits that can be extremely difficult to break. If your friends are pressuring you to abuse substances, maybe it is time to look for a new group of friends.
• Have Fun without Substances You can go to a club or a party without drinking or taking drugs, and still have a terrific time. There are all kinds of ways that you can have fun without alcohol or drugs. Throw substance-free parties with like-minded friends, explore new places, go to restaurants and coffee shops with friends, and attend substance-free events. You should be able to find all kinds of things to do on campus bulletin boards and social media pages.
• Learn to Deal with Stress According to specialists from “Phoenix” addiction rehabilitation center one of the biggest reasons why a lot of college students abuse various substances is that they are trying to find ways to deal with stress. Yes, you are under a lot of pressure as a student. But, there are many other ways to cope with the pressure instead of succumbing to substance abuse. Find other outlets, whether it be exercise, spending time with friends, or even just taking a walk by yourself to relax and clear your mind.
• Enjoy Your Hobbies If you have hobbies that you enjoy, continue doing them. Even if you are busy, try to make time for these hobbies. The more things that you are doing that don’t involve alcohol or drugs, the better. When you have free time, do the things you really enjoy rather than going to a bar or a party just because you have nothing better to do. When you have hobbies, you always have an alternative option.
• Get a Job or Volunteer Another way to avoid taking drugs or drink is to have a part-time job or do some volunteer work. When you have responsibilities, and know how to properly deal with any stress that comes with working and going to school, you will be too busy to even think about partying, getting high, or getting drunk. Of course, you need to be very capable of handling stress, so you don’t end up doing these things to deal with the stress of working and being a student.
• Get More Exercise One way to avoid getting into the drug scene is to start taking better care of your physical health. Start exercising every day, even if it is just walking to and from classes or using the stairs instead of the elevator (as long as it is not an unsafe situation). The better you look and feel, the less likely you are going to be to want to take substances that could ruin all that you have worked so hard to achieve.

Byline:

Jane Hurst has been working in education for over 5 years as a teacher. She loves sharing her knowledge with students, is fascinated about edtech and loves reading, a lot. Follow Jane on Twitter.

 

6 Apps to Help College Women Feel Safer

BY MARTHA KARN

 

We are living in a time when it is more important than ever to be vigilant about our personal safety, both on and off campus. It is not enough to simply be aware of our surroundings and to let someone know where we are going to be and what time we will be home. It is not legal to carry pepper spray or weapons in most cases, so how can you protect yourself? You can start by downloading the following safety apps that have been designed with you, the college student, in mind.

 

1. KiteString – This app was created by an MIT student whose girlfriend wanted him to know her status after walking home from work. This is a bit different than other safety apps. Instead of needing an activity to trigger it, this app works through inaction. Let the app know that you are in a potentially dangerous situation, and determine a time for the app to check with you. If you do not answer, it will send custom messages to your emergency contacts. If you are running late, you can go in and edit the call-back time.
2. SafeTrek – This app lets you notify the police when you are in an unsafe situation, but it has an extra feature, a “Safe” button. So, you can have it ready to call without actually calling. If you move your thumb on this button, and then release it, you are prompted to enter a four-digit code. If you do not enter, the police are automatically notified of your location. If you enter the code, the police will not be notified. SafeTrek is recommended by Manhattan Women’s Health & Wellness Center.
3. VthU App – There is always a chance that you could end up in a situation where you are unable to dial for emergency services when you are in trouble. This app lets you avoid having to call the number. Simply push the power button on your phone twice, and an SOS alarm will be sent to your contacts. The messages are sent out at regular intervals, who will be informed that you are in a dangerous situation, and where you are located. Each time the message sent, it is re-designed.
4. bSafe – This app has many features that are designed to help you feel safer when you are traveling. You can register one primary contact, and any number of friends. Some of the features include “Follow Me”, which lets your guardians or friends track your travels in real time, the “I’m Here” features, which lets them know that you have arrived safely, and the S.O.S. feature in case of emergency. There is also a timer feature that sets off an alarm if you do not check in at a specific time. Once the alarm goes off, it starts recording a video to collect evidence if there is a crime.
5. Safetipin – This is a free, map-based app that lets you create circles of interest throughout your neighbourhood, campus, etc. You can edit these circles to let others know where roads may be rough, lighting not good, etc., and you can even post photos and tell other users how you feel about certain areas of town. “You can give and receive information, so you are not only protecting yourself, you are also helping others to protect themselves,” says an expert at The Women’s Choice.
6. Circle of 6 – This app is designed to fight sexual assault and interpersonal violence. You can stay safe and help prevent an assault with this app by adding six friends to create your circle. When you are in a dangerous situation, you can send out automated messages such as “Come and get me. I need help getting home safely,” and “Call and pretend you need me,” so there is something that can interfere with the situation and help you get away. You can also contact the built-in hotline, which lets you state the exact nature of the situation.

 

Bio:

Martha Karn develops online educational courses and writes for students.