Things to Consider When Visiting Your Professor: Including Websites

BY AUDREY ROBINSON

It’s smart to browse professor rating websites. Your education is important to you, and you’re counting on your professor to help you achieve your goals. Just like you wouldn’t purchase a service from a professional without first reading their testimonials, you likely wouldn’t want to receive an education from someone you know nothing about.

When reading reviews however, there are a few things to keep in mind before you come to your final conclusion – it’s not always as straightforward as other types of testimonials.

1. People Are More Likely to Rant When They’re Angry

A good experience is something to be expected. When things go the way they should, it leaves nothing to be reported. Since rating a professor isn’t as commonplace as reviewing a restaurant on Yelp, people are more likely to seek out these professor rating websites to air out a grievance they have. This is why some professors who would otherwise be considered perfectly fine by the majority of students might seem to have disproportionately negative feedback.

2. Personal Situations Count for a Lot

If a student is taking a myriad of difficult classes, it’s likely that they’re experiencing a lot of stress. You’ve probably found yourself in a similar position. If people are hard on a professor, it could simply be the contrast or addition of this professor in their educational arsenal. Someone who is attending university while working two jobs might find a professor expects too much of them because of their other time commitments – it’s these little biases that skew objective truths.

3. You Need To Read a Ton of Ratings

If a professor has a lot of written ratings, only the most recent ones are going to show. If you want to get the full picture, you need to be willing to spend a considerable amount of time going through that professor’s ratings over the past few years. It helps to take notes on things you like or don’t like as you’re reading. This allows you to create a complete and balanced portrait of a professor that you can use to make an informed decision.

4. Understand That Some Things Will Always Be Difficult

People are often intimidated by professors that seem difficult, but you can’t always avoid these people. Sometimes, the nature of the subject matter creates a naturally difficult classroom environment. An art course is likely going to be easier than a course centered around tech skills. You can’t push all of that difficulty onto the professor – much of it comes from the material being presented. You might have to take a deep breath and agree to do something seemingly hard if you want to succeed in your education.

5. Evaluate Your Personal Needs

Professor ratings are a good way to gauge what other people can handle. What can you handle? If you’re a born academic who takes pleasure in studying and retaining material, you’re less likely to be overwhelmed in a learning environment regardless of the professor. If you’re the kind of person who actively craves personalized attention and assistance from a professor in order to make the most of your learning experience, you’re better off choosing someone with a hands-on approach. It ultimately comes down to the kind of environment you know will work for you, and everyone is different.

While visiting professor rating websites is helpful, it’s important to take the information you receive at face value. If you’re unsure, see if you can arrange a meeting with a professor to make determinations based on your own firsthand experience.

Author:

Audrey Robinson is a careers blogger, often working with young people looking for jobs and trying to boost their career opportunities. Currently, Audrey works as a part of the team behind Datastical, an online knowledge library. You can reach out to her on her Twitter @AudreyyRobinson.

Why Technology Matters but Good Teachers Matter More

BY EMMA BONNEY

Technology has made a foray into the world of education around the late 90s and early 2000s. Like every other sector the field of education has gained immensely from the integration of technology. From information to classroom teaching, everything has become much more easier and education is finally achieving a universal global standard. With this, one vital question always raises its head: Will technology replace teachers?

Smart classrooms for smarter teaching

Over the recent years, the world has seen the rise of smart classrooms. A smart classroom is one which makes use of gadgets and internet to integrate teaching and technology in order to facilitate education. The integration computers, networking, audience response technology, specialized software, assistive listening devices, special audio-visual aids etc. facilitates a better learning as well as teaching experience to make classrooms more interactive and enjoyable.

Educational applications as a help beyond classroom

Various educational applications have flooded the field of academics. They are offering interactive lessons on every subject which are of great help. Sometimes these also come with additional exercises and tests to help them prepare better. Such apps are of great help, along with regular classroom lessons as they help students practice more as well as revise the lessons they learned in class.

Can technology replace teachers?

The simple answer to this question is no. Technology, in no way, can replace a teacher because technology aids the learning and does not impart it. While technology can definitely help a teacher to teach, here is why a teacher can never go obsolete.

Human interaction is important

The value of classroom education ceases to exist without human interaction with a teacher to impart, educate, help, rectify, correct etc. Education is much more than MCQ pattern questions and this is where technology doesn’t stand up to human aid. Only a teacher can interpret and impart education in a wholesome and comprehensive manner like no machine ever can. This is where the value of a teacher shall never dwindle.

Catering to individual students

Every student is different and has different needs. While technology is excellent for a standardised class, a teacher is essential because only he or she can go beyond the standard exercises to create lessons which can help every single student, with their individual needs. The learning curve and process of learning for every student is different. While encouragements and praise work for one student, clear logical explanation might aid the other. No technology can understand individual needs of students like a human teacher can.

Complexity of lessons

Teaching is a complex task that needs an understanding of human psychology, cultural experience, family conditions and so much more, besides a thorough knowledge of the subject matter in question. There is no such fixed lesson plan which works perfectly for every class. With time and situation, a teacher has to modify the lessons to make it more interesting. Teaching requires passion and emotions. While technology can offer a knowledge of the subject, but it can never go beyond what it is programmed to do.

Enforcement of discipline

Education goes hand in hand with discipline. It is important for everyone in academia to imbibe a sense of discipline and respect for the field. From the lowest classes of school to the highest degrees of education teachers are instilling a sense of responsibility and discipline in the students.

Technology is an important aspect of education. A MacBook Pro and educational apps can unfold a world of information, but it is only a teacher who can impart education out of that information.

A bit about myself:

Emma Bonney is a successful blogger whose articles aim to help readers with self-

10 Common Student VISA Questions

BY LINDA ANDERSON

Studying abroad is a dream most students have. But when it comes to the red tapes, most students are utterly confused. If you are about to go abroad for your education, here are some of the commonly asked questions about getting a student visa.

When do I apply?

You need to apply immediately after you get accepted in a course. You cannot apply for a student visa before getting an acceptance letter for the course, so this is the first thing you need to take care of.

What documents do I need?

Different countries and degrees often have different sets of documents but the common ones you need are your academic records, which have to be arranged in chronological order, with the most recent on top, followed by your financial documents and any other supporting documents.

 What type of visa do I need?

Different countries have different categories of student visa depending on the kind of degree you are opting for. Do you research and make sure you apply for the right category?

How long does the interview take?

A student visa interview doesn’t really take a long time. You will be asked some basic questions on your intent, reason for choosing your subject and university etc. Be ready for questions regarding your financial situation, student loans, if any.

What about money?

Studying abroad is definitely not cheap but do not panic because it is nothing that you cannot take care of, if you plan well. You will be asked to declare your financial standing where you have to prove that you have adequate funds to pay you fees and expenses, hence, it is a wise idea to not make any big expenses before applying for the visa.

Can I get a job there?

Although different countries have varied rules when it comes to working on a student visa, but usually as a student, you can get certain kinds of jobs, but usually with limited work hours per week to sustain yourself. You can join a job once your classes start.

Can I take my parents with me?

Depending on the course and its duration, you are allowed to invite dependents such as your parents, spouse or children to visit or even stay with you. Usually it is applicable only for full time students. In this case you will have to prove that you are financially stable enough to afford their expenses.

How long can I stay?

Your visa is valid for the duration of your course and for a short period of time after your course is over which varies between 60 days to 4 months depending on the country in question, as well as the course you are applying for.

Do I need to know the language?
As a thumb rule you need to have to have a working knowledge of the language of the country. For example, if you are applying for Japan or Malaysia visa online, you need to prove that you have a basic proficiency of Japanese or Malay. So, you might want to start taking language courses seriously.

What if my visa gets rejected?
It is quite common to get your visa rejected. It is usually because of small errors like filling out a form wrong or not being able to produce the right document etc. But even if everything was right and your visa still got rejected, do not panic because you can reapply. You will be off

A student visa application is indeed a taxing process with all the documents, terms and rules that you have to keep in mind.

By line for Linda Anderson

I’m a writer and musician residing in Boise, ID in the United States, although I spent a small amount of time (about three years) living in the UK growing up, due to my father’s occupation. I graduated from the College of Idaho with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and a focus in marketing in 2014.

6 Mental Health Challenges Facing College Students

BY  PAMELACURRIER

Did you know that one in every five college students faces a mental health issue, and that 75 percent of all mental health conditions come to the surface by the time a person reaches 24 years of age? These are pretty high, and scary statistics. There are many mental health challenges that a large percentage of college students must recognize and deal with, as most people who suffer from any form of mental illness will struggle with symptoms before they graduate from college. Today we are going to discuss six of the most common mental health challenges facing college students.

1. Addiction 

One of the biggest problems facing a lot of college students is addiction, and there are many forms that this problem can take. Substance abuse is common among many college students, with alcohol being one of the biggest problems. Drug and alcohol abuse in colleges around the United States is becoming a serious health issue, and it can have a huge impact on every aspect of a student’s life. In fact, studies show that one in four students have problems with their studies due to alcohol use.

2. Adjustment Disorder 

Many first-year college students find it difficult to adjust to being away from home for the first time. There are so many things that they have to adjust to, and for some, it can be quite overwhelming. Some reports show that as many as 20 percent of college students receiving treatment for mental health issues are diagnosed as having adjustment disorder, and there are many things that can be stressors, including moving to a new town, meeting new people, breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, etc.

3. Eating Disorders 

A lot of people think that this is an issue that mainly affects females, but it is actually common in both males and females. We just tend to hear more about girls who suffer from eating disorders. As many as 20 percent of all college students are affected by the most common eating disorders, Anorexia and Bulimia, and the results can be deadly, as eating disorders do have the highest mortality rate among those suffering from mental illness. The sooner this condition is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can begin. David Michigan, worldwide model and actor, who gives fitness & life coaching sessions, suggests: “Self-hypnosis can be one of the best possible solution to treat eating disorders, inasmuch as it can allow to fix the hidden emotional issues directly leading to anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, emotional eating and all other kinds of eating disorders.”

4. Depression 

Another common mental health condition among college students is depression. In fact, the National Institute of Mental Health states that depression is a serious issue for college students, and that 30 percent of students have reported feeling depressed. This is due to a number of factors, including the higher stress levels, adjusting to their new surroundings, struggling to get good grades, etc. Statistics show that depression is the third leading cause of death among those aged 10 to 24. Diagnosis and treatment as early as possible is important.

5. Anxiety 

We all get anxious from time to time, but those who experience anxiety regularly can attest that it is a serious issue, and that it can have a huge impact on their lives. At least 30 percent of all adults are affected by anxiety in one way or another, many to the point where it interferes with their daily lives. Anxiety is also one of the top concerns for college students, ahead of depression and relationship issues. It is reported that more than half of all college students seek help in dealing with their anxiety.

6. Suicide

Some students fall so deeply into depression, or face such serious anxiety that they end up taking their own lives. In a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, it was noted that suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in 2011, with a total of 39,418 suicides reported in the United States. It is also reported to be the second leading cause of death among college students, as per studies from the American College Health Association.

Pamela Currier helps recent grads land the jobs of their dreams, she is a career coach and educator.

Online Courses: earn a degree and expand knowledge

DAVID GUTIERREZ

Studying at a college is a great time to make friendships that last for a lifetime, to take a break from comfortable living with parents and what was usual and known and start calling university campus a second home for a few years.

However, the change of lifestyle is rarely the major reason why students apply to universities. Getting a degree as well as the knowledge that will be useful in future career are among the main reasons for such a decision.

Perhaps you are a person that seeks efficiency and have a desire to make use of every minute available. Or maybe you are already looking into master studies programs that could help you to advance in your field of study, but you want it to be compatible with the job you have or are planning to have by the time you finish your undergraduate degree. Or possibly you just want to expand your expertise in an area that is not related to your course of study and university that you are enrolled in is not offering it as an elective.

If any or all of the cases seem to be describing you, you might be interested in checking out possibilities of online education. Although most students prefer physical and social college environment, there are opportunities to study online courses that will award you with a degree, a certificate, or will simply provide knowledge in a discipline that you find fascinating.

Courses that do not provide a degree

There are many online schools and academies, such as Coursera, edX or Udemy where you are allowed to take online courses, even submit assignments, get grades and earn a certification. However, courses are usually not comprehensive and although after paying a small fee you will be able to receive a certificate that you finished the course and have knowledge in the field, that will not substitute bachelors, masters or doctorate degree.Still, this is a great opportunity if you are looking for a way to expand your CV and learn an additional marketable skill or simply to study something that has always interested you.

Courses that provide a college degree

In addition to that many universities provide an opportunity to study remotely and earn a bachelors or masters degree online. Most programs can be studied that way, an many universities are glad to provide such opportunity. Therefore, even if nearest universities are not offering a program you are interested in, you can find a way to study it in university, which might even be in different continent than your own.

In addition to that, studying online gives you an opportunity to earn a degree of a prestigious university in Australia, Europe or anywhere else in the world.

Free courses that do not provide official certification, but give you knowledge

Perhaps you just want to learn a new skill or language so that you could apply it in a project you are working on. Or maybe you just want to understand processes or ways to build arguments, write or learn better. There are ways to do that for free using online education. Although, many things can be learned simply watching Youtube videos, there are online systems that provide courses for free in order to promote their content. The websites of Coursera and Edx have quite a wide selection of courses that you have to pay only if you want to receive certification after completing the course.

In conclusion, there are opportunities to study and to even earn certification if necessary while traveling, working and trying to combine work and study and studying from the comfort of your home. The most important thing is to understand what you want, need and what will benefit you the most.

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.

Why College Students Should Make Time for Exercise

 BY: ANNABEL MONAGHAN

Most of us have read studies about the health risks we’re faced with today due to our sedentary life style. Lack of exercise and hours sitting in front of a screen mean that some of us find even menial day-to-day activities, like grocery shopping, a tiring effort.

When you’re young, it’s natural to not feel so concerned about your health, and college students are notorious for putting health on hold while they enjoy the freedom to eat, drink and do whatever they want. But, there are plenty of reasons why college is a perfect time to start making health conscious decisions.

The accessibility and affordability of healthcare after college is another important reason why students should make the time to incorporate healthy habits into their daily routines. Establishing these habits earlier in life is one way to help prevent many afflictions that plague us later in life. For those graduating without a job providing health benefits, and who no longer under their parent’s coverage, preventative healthcare becomes especially important.

It’s not only after graduation where establishing healthy habits can provide benefits either. Joining the campus gym could provide a boost to your grades. According to one study, published in the journal of the United States Sports Academy, students who regularly participated in physical activity had a higher over-all GPA than their more sedentary peers.

Science has long boasted about the benefit of regular exercise. It makes us smarter, helps us live longer and makes us feel good.

When you’ve got mountains of textbooks to read and assignments to write, it might seem like you’ll never find the time to work out, there are some strategies you can follow to stay active.

Consider combing your exercise with your studies.

Combining the two elements of your life can help give you more time. Signing up for a PE class as an elective for credit is a perfect choice If you want to earn an easy A for your efforts, and enjoy the atmosphere of social exercise. If you’re not too into the idea of taking dance class or signing up for hockey, then try sneaky tips like doing your class readings while you walk and run on the treadmill and get your cardio in. Or downloading audio lectures and listening to them while you head out for a jog. Take a break from writing your paper to do a mini-workout of 10 minutes. You’ll head back into it feeling refreshed, and when you add up all the hours you can spend working on a paper, you’re easily finding your thirty minutes of exercise that day.

Find ways to stay motivated and get help!

If you’re unsure how you should be working out, turn to technology. There are hundreds of apps available on smartphones which can do everything for you, from designing a workout routine, to tracking how well you’re meeting your goals. The internet is also full of blogs and communities that are a wealth of resources and support for the newcomer to fitness. Magazines like LifetoLiveit are full of tips and tricks to help maintain a healthy lifestyle, getting involved with these sorts of online info-sharing fitness communities can be a terrific way to maintain motivation toward your health goals.

Keep your goals realistic

It’s impossible to take exercise seriously if you don’t know what you want to get out of it. Figure out what you aim to achieve. Do you want to improve your general fitness and be able to run a mile without having to stop to catch your breath? Do you have weight loss goals you want to meet? Go into it knowing what exactly you want to get out of working out, and why, then plan out what you need to do to achieve it.

Useful Podcasts for College Students

BY LORRAINE McKINNEY

Many people don’t realize the value that can be found in podcasts, especially for students. There are so many opportunities to learn, and not just academics. You will find a number of podcasts that can help you get motivated, take better care of your health, train your brain, and a whole lot more. Some podcasts are geared specifically for students, and others that are more general are still important for students to check out. Today we are going to look at seven important podcasts for college students.

1. Tiny Leaps, Big Changes: Wellness, Inspiration, Self Help & Motivation for Your Daily Life

This audio podcast is one of the best self-help podcasts you will find, and it offers a wealth of information on a variety of topics. Find over 250 episodes that will give you advice you really need. Tiny Leaps, Big Changes is not just a self-help podcast. It is a wellness and motivational podcast that offers personal strategies, information about personal habits, and more.

2. The College Info Geek Podcast: Study Tips & Advice for Students

Here is a podcast that every college student should be listening too regularly. Thomas Frank and Martin Boehme offer great advice about things that students can do to improve their grades, and their overall college experience. They will help you learn how to be more productive, and how to build your own personal brand that is going to help you get your dream job after graduation.

3. TED Talks Daily

The great thing about this podcast is that it is about everything you could ever want to know about pretty much everything. Whether you are interested in zoology or music or artificial intelligence, you will hear some ideas that are really going to get you to thinking, from some of the leading thinkers in the world today. This podcast is also available in video format. Sell laptop products and upgrade to newer versions for better video viewing.

4. The Moth: True Stories Told Live

Listen to true stories, as told by those who lived them. These are people who have stories that are as engaging as they are informational, and you never know, you may learn a thing or two as you listen to the stories from around the globe. The podcast features stories from the Mainstage, StorySLAM, and community programs. There is also the Moth Radio Hour, which airs on more than 400 stations.

5. Stuff You Should Know

Have you ever checked out HowStuffWorks.com? If so, you will love Stuff You Should Know, the podcast from HowStuffWorks. You never know what Josh and Chuck are going to be talking about. It could be anything from how landfills work to how mosquitoes sting. A lot of the things you are studying could end up being topics, and you will get a lot of information that will help with your studies.

6. Rationally Speaking

This is the official podcast of New York City Skeptics. Julia Galef and guests take a look at the fine line between nonsense and reason, the likely and the not so likely, science and fake science, and more. This podcast was co-created with Massio Pigliucci, and it is produced by Benny Pollak. Recording is done right in Greenwich Village.

7. Good Job Brain

This is a free, weekly audio podcast that is a little bit offbeat news, and a little big quiz show. If you are looking for a podcast to really stimulate your brain, look no further than Good Job Brain. This is the ultimate podcast for trivia nuts, started by a group of people who wanted to be able to share their own love of trivia to the world.

Lorraine McKinney is an academic tutor and elearning specialist.

What to Expect from a Careers Fair

BY JANE HURST

Some of your best opportunities in college will come from careers fairs, and there are many different kinds that you can attend. Some may be general career fairs, some may be hosted by local employers, and others might be industry-specific. But, even though there are many different types of careers fairs, they all have two things in common: to give students a chance to connect with potential employers; and to give employers an opportunity to screen potential future employees. Today we are going to talk about what to expect from a careers fair, and how to be prepared.

Pre-Registration

Some careers fairs are open to anyone who wishes to attend. For others, you must pre-register prior to the event. This usually involves submitting a resume, and you can do the pre-registration online in most cases. It is actually a pre-screening tool for employers, and they will take notes about the applicants that they would like to meet. Pre-registration can get you noticed, and that is the first step in landing your dream job after college. Once you have registered, you can start learning about the fairs and the companies that will be in attendance.

Do Your Research

Before you attend any careers fair, it is important that you do your research. First, read the guides for each careers fair that you are attending, so you will know which companies are going to be there. Then, you can make a list of the companies that you are interested in learning more about, and do some research about those companies. Compile a list of questions that will show potential employers that you have done your homework.

Remember, there are right and wrong questions to ask at careers fairs. For starters, after your initial introductions, you can skip the small talk. Jump right into the meat of the conversation, and start discussing the company, why you are interested in working for them, etc. Ask your researched questions, and if there are things that you were unable to find out from the brochures, you may be able to get that information now. Do not ask how much you might be paid, what the company can do for you, etc.

Resumes

Make sure that you have plenty of copies of your resume to give to potential employers. If you are applying to a variety of companies, it is a good idea to tailor your resume to fit each different category, and have two resumes for each company that you are interested in. You will likely end up having several different resumes to hand out, and you need to know which skills to put on a resume for a variety of jobs. They will all be pretty much the same structurally, but they will have some different sections that pertain to the specific industries you are interested in.

Something else to consider is how potential employers are going to save read your resumes. Make sure that your resumes are scannable, so employers can easily scan them and save them into their databases. Even if they are not hiring now, they will have your resume for future reference.

Dress for Success

You may not actually be applying for jobs when you are at a job fair, but you don’t want to go in there looking like a slob either. You need to dress for success, and wear the proper attire for the various companies you are interested in learning more about. Remember, a careers fair is a potential employer’s first impression of you, so you need to make sure that their impression is a good one. Yes, you want to be comfortable, but you don’t want to appear so comfortable as to seem sloppy. This is your only opportunity to make a first impression.

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.

Appliances and Software Often Not Allowed In College Dorms

BY SYLVIA kOHL

If you think that what you bring to your dorm room is your own business, you are mistaken – many if not all dorms have sets of rules establishing the lists of things and even software that is prohibited from being used, kept or even just brought onto the dorm’s territory. Sometimes these things are quite legal and innocuous otherwise – which means that you should read your dorm’s regulations very carefully lest you get kicked out. Here are some unexpected items that most college dorms want to keep away:

1.    Cooking Appliances

Toasters, microwaves, electric frying pans, hotplates and suchlike – absolute majority of colleges prohibit their students from keeping and using all these unmistakably helpful devices. The reason is simple – although you may believe yourself to be careful and responsible, your college cannot be so sure, and all these items are first-rate fire hazards.

2.    Kodi Boxes

Now, the status of Kodi boxes is ambiguous – in their default state they don’t go against any kind of law and, theoretically, can safely be used for their purpose (as a tool for home theater setup). However, when it comes to add-ons that allow to use them for piracy, the situation becomes much more complicated. That is why some colleges ban the use of Kodi outright, without taking into account their potential lawful application – so make sure you’ve studied the rules of your particular college before installing one.

3.    Candles and Incense

Bad news for those of you willing to create a New Age atmosphere in your room – chances are, your college has a very strong stance against it. Or, rather, not the atmosphere but candles and incense that are often treated as its indispensable part. Again, they can be a potential fire hazard.

4.    Screws, Nails, Wallpaper and Double-Faced Adhesive Tape

Well, most likely you won’t be reprimanded for keeping these in your room, but don’t think about using these for redecorating it. Sorry, but you won’t be able to put a nail in the wall to hang your favorite picture – you are not allowed to damage the walls in any way, even if the damage in question is just a bit of paint accidentally peeled off. Other students are going to live in the same room after you, and you should leave it in the same state it had been when you moved in.

5.    Pets

Most colleges won’t allow you to keep pets in a dorm room. Exceptions may exist in some cases for fish (although you should check the allowed size for the fish tank, as they vary wildly) and certified service animals. If keeping one with you is important, this should be among the first things for you to check.

6.    Air Conditioners

In hotter climates, the idea of living without air conditioning can sound crazy, but it is as it is – the only way for you to have any kind of air conditioning in your dorm is for it to come pre-equipped with it. No college will allow you to install a personal one, although you normally won’t have problems with bringing a fan. Although they are much less efficient, they can still be of huge help when the heat becomes stifling.

These are the most typical normally legal things that are prohibited by colleges, but the list certainly doesn’t end here. Some dorms are more specific in their bans, some get outright weird (for example, the reason to ban cinder blocks from dorms isn’t immediately obvious, but it is a regulation that exists on many a college campus). So read the rules carefully and make sure you follow them!

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.