Posts published in September, 2019

5 Reasons You’ll Study Better Living Off-Campus

BY ANTON LUCAS

Living on campus seems like the best option if you’re not an early riser and want to eliminate having to commute to school every day. However, living in a dorm or even student housing nearby comes with distractions that make it hard to study effectively.

If studying is a priority, you may want to consider off-campus housing rather than bunking in a dorm or student-specific apartments that are essentially run like dorms.

 

  1. You can leave your study materials spread out across the floor

In a dorm, you can’t sprawl out across the whole room unless your roommate is gone and won’t be coming back for a while. In your own apartment, you can do whatever you want.

If you can afford to rent your own apartment, the cost is worth having your own space. You can study according to your own schedule, and you won’t need to switch locations when your roommate wants to hang out with friends or listen to music.

 

  1. Roommates with friends are a major distraction

In a dorm-style living situation, you’re sharing your space with your roommate and all of their friends who choose to stop by. If you’re lucky enough to have a quiet roommate who respects your study time, their friends may not be so quiet and respectful. You can try using a “do not disturb” door hanger, but not everyone will respect it. You’ll probably end up with several soft knocks followed by an apology, and although the person means well, you’re still being interrupted.

If you want to study from the comfort of your bed, it’s difficult to get complete peace and quiet. You’ll never know when the next interruption will occur. You can wear earbuds and listen to music to drown out sound, but you’ll still be distracted by the movement of other people around you. Distractions in the background of your vision may not seem like a big deal, but it will divide your attention momentarily, whether you realize it or not.

Our brains are wired to be distracted, according to scientists from Princeton University and Berkeley. When you’re studying (or focusing on anything), your brain zooms in and out of attention up to four times per second. Your brain pauses periodically to scan the environment to see if anything else might be more important. If nothing more important is found, your brain goes back to focusing on your studies. The problem is, having sound and movement in your peripheral vision makes this process take longer. Your attention might linger on someone walking into the bathroom for a couple of seconds, and these longer distractions take a toll on your concentration. According to Sober Living Austin, there are other distractions on campus such as partying and constant social gatherings. If you want your study sessions to be effective, your best bet is to study alone. If you want to study in the comfortable space of your own bedroom, you need off-campus housing.

 

  1. You can choose a more secure, quiet location

Living in a dorm, you can’t exactly secure your room the way you can secure your own apartment off-campus. In an off-campus apartment, you can intentionally seek out a top-floor unit to maximize noise reduction and get optimal security. Burglars prefer easy targets and aren’t likely to take the stairs or elevator. Plus, top floors tend to have more natural light which comes in handy for studying.

If you prefer a ground-floor unit, you’ll have different perks. For example, you’ll be able to grow a vegetable garden on your patio or even in your kitchen. You can find an apartment complex that has a community park or at least green, open spaces to enjoy. You can take a beanbag chair to the middle of the grass, plop down, and study in the middle of nature.

 

  1. You need the ability to move into a different space to clear your head

After long study sessions, it’s important to move into a different space to clear your head. In a dorm, you’ll probably need to walk a good distance to get into a quiet space to clear your head. If you’re living off-campus in your own apartment you can walk into the front room, the backyard, or sit on your front porch.

 

  1. You’re not stuck living with anyone who irritates you

Hopefully you’ve never had to deal with a roommate who irritates you, but plenty of people have. Unless there’s a major problem between you and a roommate, you won’t usually get to swap them out for someone else. The same goes for apartments converted to student housing. In either case – dorm or student housing – you’re stuck with whatever roommates you get. You can get a cheap room, fast internet, and a fully-furnished bedroom in student housing, but you’ll also get a house full of people to distract you from your studies.

Prioritize your studies to reduce stress and study better

If you’re not prone to anxiety and stress, you might be able to function in a semi-chaotic environment. However, if roommate drama and distractions get on your last nerve, living off-campus will solve that problem for good.

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 guide current students to achieve personal and academic goals

Useful Tips for Taking Online Classes In College

BY KATHLEEN BROWN

 

As technology is continually evolving, we are noticing so many benefits this revolution has on the way we live. From being able to communicate with friends from across the world to working for companies which are based in other countries, technology is connecting us all.

One important field that is tremendously benefiting from it for a while now is education.

Students are finally able to take online classes and learn about matters they previously didn’t have access to. All they have to do is to research their options and find the ones that suit them best. According to their preferences and knowledge level, students should choose online classes that will contribute to their overall skill set and present them as a quality candidate once they start searching for a job.

 

If you’re one of those individuals who enjoy enhancing their existing knowledge online, we bring you useful tips for taking online classes.

 

  1. Have a Schedule

Having a schedule is vital with almost any activity you decide to take up, but if you want to achieve the highest level of efficiency, you will have to plan everything ahead. You should start including online classes into your schedule as soon as you start taking them. More importantly, don’t forget about your preparation and studying time.

To be efficient with your time, you should:

 

  • Have one schedule with all of your activities planned down to an hour.
  • Make your schedule easier to abide by leaving plenty of time for relaxation and enjoyment.
  • Plan always one week ahead to have accurate information.

 

  1. Have Your Own Study Space

You probably live in a smaller apartment, dorm or with roommates, so finding the space to study and focus on your online classes is as important as finding the time to study. If you live in a noisy area, you can always wear headsets to eliminate the noise. Make sure you feel comfortable and try to avoid studying where there are people around you. A single chair and a desk where you can place your laptop will be sufficient for you to get into your studying mode.

If you want to improve your concentration while studying and taking your online classes, you should also:

 

  • Get rid of all distractions such as television, mobile phone, open windows, and anything else that might steal your attention.
  • Keep your study space clean and remove unnecessary objects as being surrounded by many things blocks your concentration.
  • Have opened windows or doors to let the fresh air in before you start studying.
  1. Being Responsible

 

Sometimes, people will fall into the trap of feeling like taking an online course is not obligatory as they take it from the comfort from their own home. This attitude will prevent you from achieving your goal, which is finishing this course and acquiring the knowledge that will be useful for you in the future. Always check in with yourself every week, so you are keeping up with the pace of the classes.

Try to avoid making these mistakes as they will slow your progress:

 

  • Starting an assignment one day before it’s due.
  • Not writing down your tasks for the next week once you get them.
  • Missing out on classes because you think you know everything about that topic.

 

  1. Be Present

As it is with responsibility, you will need to be present. Thinking that it’s anything less than a conventional classroom just because you’re taking it on your own will cause damage to your final score. The majority of today’s online classes have evolved, so there so way for students to cheat on their tests or attendance.

From metrics that track student progress on a lesson or a module, monitoring the competency of students to monitoring techniques installed on the student’s computer which checks authenticity, tracking learning metrics are constantly being improved. If students want to achieve success, they will need to be present and concentrated during their lessons and exams.

Final Thoughts

Once you start treating your online classes like something that doesn’t require too much of your attention, its value will be lost. Instead, try to be determined to do this the best you can. Treat it if you were in a classroom and you’re surrounded by your colleagues, and you will have no trouble of achieving your goal of finishing the class. With all the other benefits this type of education provides, it would be a shame to miss out on it!

Byline:Kathleen Brown is a passionate entrepreneur and enjoys writing articles, overviews, and analyses about everything going on in the industry with a single goal of sharing her expertise with students.

 

 

 

 

Making Money During College Years – Is It That Difficult?

BY EMMA BONNEY

College can be challenging, especially when it comes to money. From the beginning of your adventure to the last semester of your college years, struggling with financial matters can make your life difficult. Being a college student isn’t cheap and keeping up with a certain lifestyle rapidly adds up to your monthly expenses. The good news is that you can start making money from college, and it isn’t that difficult as many make it sound. In fact, there are many opportunities to enjoy on-campus. It would be a shame not to profit from them, really.

Tutoring is always a good idea

Tutoring is a great way to make a living while you’re still in college. Students on campus will always need guidance and support with their academics, which is a big plus for you. So, if you excel at one of your courses, start spreading the word around your campus. Interested students will shortly pop up and ask for your help. The best part is that tutoring fees are really advantageous. The average fee per hour revolves somewhere around $18. This money will come as a huge help when it comes to boosting your income. However, make sure you have a good invoicing system in place to help you avoid any tax issues. Invest in a tool that will help you generate invoices. There are plenty of tools that offer invoice templates, and some can even be customized depending on your needs.

Resident advisor

Maybe the easiest ways to make a living on campus is becoming a resident advisor. This will most likely help you save a lot. Generally, resident advisors receive free or discounted housing, meal discounts and so on. In the big picture, this is a huge plus. Because on-campus housing prices can reach even $16,000 per year, this will come as a huge advantage.

Become a research assistant to build a strong career

If you enjoy research and you have a highly analytical mind, you could become a research assistant and start building a successful career during your college years. Such positions also pay well, which will help you live more comfortably. This opportunity will allow you to get some experience and more insights in your field of interest.

If time management is your main concern, you will most probably find a position that fits perfectly into your schedule. The annual salary for research assistant can go as high as $30,000 per year.

Work for your campus security department

Your campus security department most likely needs a little help. These positions pay a decent amount of money, and you will get the chance to never leave your campus. This way, you’ll save money on transportation and you’ll never be late to your courses. For many students, this is a big perk when it comes to convenience. You can make somewhere around $15 per hour as an on-campus security employee, but you can also search for bouncer positions at neighbouring businesses.

The campus IT department is another good option

All college students will need help with their personal computers or laptops, one time or another. If you have the skill and knowledge, you can work as an on-campus IT specialist. You will find a ton of similar jobs. This is a great way to get some additional financial support during your college years. Plus, it will help you gain generous experience in the field before college ends. As an IT professional, you will make somewhere around $15 per hour. This is a flexible job that will allow you to also attend your courses. These professionals usually set availability time when others can find them.

Rent your off-campus apartment through Airbnb

If you’re one of the lucky students that have an off-campus apartment, you can make great use of it by renting it during your summer break. Airbnb is an amazing platform where you can post your apartment. At the end of your summer break, you will have a generous amount of money waiting for you. Depending on the number of bedrooms your apartment has, you can generate some extra cash.

Write resumes

Although all students should have this skill, many still need improvement when it comes to writing their resumes. But luckily for you, this could bring you somewhere around $15 and $20 per hour. In some cases, you will end up making well over $100 per resume. Even if you don’t have a lot of experience in writing resumes, you can still do your research in advance and try your luck. You can even find resume templates that will help you in the process.

Use the ideas above to make the best use of your college years. These can jumpstart your career and help you supplement your income. You don’t have to live on a shoestring budget as a student, so try these out.

A bit about myself:

Emma Bonney is a successful blogger whose articles aim to help readers with self-development, Women’s Empowerment, Education, entrepreneurship and content management. My work has been featured and mentioned in a wide range of publication.

 

Tips and Advice for Parents of Students Studying Abroad

BY LINDA ANDERSON

Sending your child off to study abroad is a big change in life. The little baby that you taught to walk is now a beautiful fledgling leaving home to start off a new life in a foreign land. This is an emotional time for all parents. However, amidst all these difficult feelings, there are a number of things that have to be dealt with. It is a good idea to keep a checklist handy.

Have a health plan

Ensure that your child goes through the necessary health checkup and vaccinations before travelling abroad. However, with all the changes, there is a small chance of sickness. Pack some basic essential medicines so as to avoid a trip to the doctor unless necessary. Contact your insurance provider to look into foreign student insurance plans or if your current plans can be modified accordingly.

Prepare for paperwork

There is a lot of paperwork involved in moving to a new country. While it is something, which the student mostly has to deal with, however there might be several documents the parents need to provide or sign. You might have to submit certain information pertaining to you as well, such as proof of income etc., so keep these handy. Make a checklist to help arrange and organize the documents and papers together.

Have a talk on finances

Studying abroad, even on full scholarship, can be an expensive affair. There is quite a bit of additional establishment cost that has to be dealt with. This is high time you talk about financial arrangements for the future. Even when there is nothing like it if you can afford to pay for all the expenses, however, that is not always possible. Encourage your kid to look for jobs or even create their own entrepreneurial venture to support himself or herself and fulfill dreams.

Learn about safety

Safety is the biggest concern on every parent’s mind when sending his or her kids abroad. While you cannot be present physically as and when needed, it is important to do your bit from home. Make a note of all the emergency phone numbers such as local police, university, embassy etc. Read up on the laws and safety of the host country and above all, do not panic. Keep an open mind so that you are the first one your kid confides in, in an emergency.

Pick up some hobbies

Last but not the least, empty nest syndrome is a real problem which hits parents harder than they think. With expensive international calls, time difference and busy schedules you might not get calls as frequently as you would like. Pick up some hobbies, volunteer somewhere, take a trip or do something, which keeps you occupied. This is a plan you need to work out and the sooner you do it, the better it is for everyone.

This is a big change for both student and parents alike. However, it is your kid’s big chance in life to grow and be successful. Be supportive, encourage his or her dreams and stand by your child unconditionally.

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.

3 Tips for Starting Your Own Business in College

BY ANTHONY MASTERTON

Thanks to technology and the amount of information you can have in the palm of your hands in mere seconds, starting a business in college is a real possibility and easier now than ever. Of course, just because college students have the necessary tools to start their entrepreneurial dreams while in school, it helps to remember less is more.
Tip #1: Do Less

Don’t try to start with your full idea/full concept. Ask yourself this question instead: what is the minimal viable product (MVP) of my concept that I can use to test market reception? This can be as simple as a landing page with a picture or description of your idea and an email capture, or as complex as a form that accepts pre-orders.

If you want to sell T-shirts, maybe order iron-ons of your idea and do the first few by hand, and see if you can sell those before placing a larger screen-printing order.

If you want to open a store – see if an existing store will let you rent counter or shelf space to sell a product before you take on the expense of an entire lease yourself.

It can be very attractive to “do it right” or “do it perfectly” from the start, but investing heavily in an idea you haven’t proven out yet can eat up your resources and sink your ability to pivot quickly. Doing less can also safeguard you from burnout and keep you from under-serving other important areas of your life (like class).

 

Tip #2: Consistency Wins Over Quality

This may be counter-intuitive, but it’s better to have a consistently low-quality product than to have a product that fluctuates between high quality and low quality.

People are happy to consistently pay for a low quality product that they know will be low-quality (McDonalds, Ramen, Greyhound bus). But if you fluctuate between low quality and high quality, customers won’t know how to set their expectations and they’ll feel negatively about your brand.

It’s much better to start off doing a little less than what you’d ultimately like to in terms of product or service but be consistent in what you provide. As your brand and business capabilities grow, add in features and services you can sustain. 

Tip #3: Leverage Online Resources

As a member of Gen Z, you  have an edge in entrepreneurship. You’re already a master of multichannel communications and personal branding. You grew up self-teaching skills through youtube videos and online tutorials.

There’s more than just information in terms of online resources. If you’ve ever used taskrabbit or paid a delivery fee for food, then you’re already familiar with outsourcing whether you’ve thought of it that way before or not. When it comes to scaling your business or handling basic day-to-day items, it doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your college experience. Leverage designers, and virtual assistants online from sites like Upwork or fiverr. You can often get real help for less than $4/hr, as long as you’re willing to put in a couple hours up-front to clearly define the work that you need done.
Just make sure the vendor you select has omnichannel capabilities, and if you want to select a long-term partner right from the start, make sure their product roadmap includes AI integration.

Remember that time is just as finite as money – outsource what you can, partner where you can, and leverage resources already available through your school. Most schools will offer a small budget ($200-$2,000) to student organizations, amongst other types of support. At $4/hr for virtual support resources – $200 can get you 50 hours of support. That can be a huge quality of life difference, enabling you to go out with friends a couple times a week, block out time for studying, or grab some much needed sleep.

Anthony Masterton is a young entrepreneur trying to break through in the Tech world. When he’s not working on growing his young startup, he writes about everything from tech advancements to his own experiences as a young CEO. A self starter, he likes to help others learn from his own successes and failures, as it’s always easiest to learn from experience.

Why Art Museums On College Campuses Are Important For Students

BY SAMANTHA BROWN

 Art plays an important role in shaping the future of students. The importance of art and culture is highly discernable when it comes to clubbing it with academics. The addition of arts can form a competitive environment for students and can ensure the holistic development of their altruistic values. This is the reason why many Universities are spending lavishly on art galleries and art museums on college campuses…sometimes art makes us think out-of-the-box and propels our imaginations and creativity.

The Universities are now trying to encourage students to develop their affinity towards art and culture. Knowing about different kinds of art, from different places, different art forms help a person to become knowledgeable.  Rather than spending time in a virtual world, students must now increasingly spend time in the real world, interacting with real people, beholding real art and knowing about art forms from different places and different parts of the world.

What is the importance of art museums on college campuses?

  • College museums are often called the “Teaching museums” where students get to learn about and experience different artifacts, fine art specimens and that too firsthand experience that counts the most and are better than reading about these forms in textbooks. The students see it, experience it, understand its beauty and learn from it….this way they can retain the knowledge better. What we read is easy to forget but what we see remains with us for a long time.

 

  • Students can raise questions about different art forms, this way they can engage in a healthy conversation with their professors and learning process is certainly better than just sitting in the classroom and studying. This is more activity-oriented and makes a student wonder why? And the imagination gets a push. This way of studying and getting to know about things is much more interesting and engaging. This way is very beneficial for students who have taken up art-history courses.

 

  • The works of world-renowned artists are exhibited and some colleges open their museums for visitors too. This ensures healthy growth and development both for society and college students. Recently an exhibition was organized at the University of Virginia’s Fralin Museum of Art which had the title, Warhol: Icons. This exhibition showed different, epic and wide array of amazing figures starting from saint Apollonia to Marilyn Monroe to show how the concept of celebrity came into being. This exhibition acted as a teaching tool for the Sociology, media, English and History students and raised a multitude of questions regarding how time and the concept of celebrity have changed since medieval times to the present day where Instagram is a perfect sensational platform and how do celebrities get such status.

 

  • Now you must be thrilled to know that some medical universities and colleges such as Clinician’s Eye program in Virginia use art as a teaching tool to help medical students understand visual analysis and recognition of patterns. Some med schools encourage students to sympathize with the patients through the medium of art and paintings. Art and painting represent softer emotions and feelings and any sane person praises a good piece of art or artifact these are also tools to interact with people more.

 

  • People now connect to visuals, graphics, images, and videos more than anything else so museums are instrumental in bringing out the creativity and innovativeness of a person. We don’t connect to texts as much as we do to visuals. Today’s literacy is of a new kind. That is why universities and colleges are spending so much to set up their own museums and art galleries within the college campuses.
  • Nowadays, colleges are honestly becoming ‘art-tourist destination’. Well, these museums attract well-known art connoisseurs from across the globe. This way the college ensures their advertisement and popularity. The reputation, too, is a big thing which is promoted through these art galleries and museums. The colleges and Universities get donors through these exhibitions that they organize to interact with people as well as students. So, as we can understand not only the students but also the colleges and universities benefit from the art galleries and museums which adorn the college and university campuses. Now colleges are upgrading themselves and spending luxuriously to set up museums in their campuses… to meet the requirements of the students as though this is becoming an arms race. The more the facilities, the better for the colleges as more students get interested.

Installing art in college with professional services

For shifting fine art – artifacts and paintings to college museums, the best is to seek professional services who are well-equipped to make it a seamless process.

A fine art moving company specializes in moving fine art such that prevents any kind of damage to the artifacts. They take special care in shifting the delicate stuff right from the starting till the end. They make sure that the fine art pieces remain absolutely intact and the shifting work is done without any hassles.

Some professional art moving services provide insurance too… in case your precious gets damaged you can claim compensation. Also, a fine art moving company ensures affordability along with quality service. You can blindly trust them for they guarantee 100% quality work.

So, if you want to move your delicate fine art stuff, then you can opt for these specialized companies who provide trained workers. This way you will be able to save a lot of your valuable time and also ensure that all the fragile or delicate paintings are safe.

 

By-line

Samantha Brown is a freelance writer who specializes on carrier guidance, she is also motivational speaker and author

 

6 Tips for Getting a Student Loan with Bad or No Credit

BY JANE HURST

Many people want to attend college but are afraid they cannot afford to. Some people have worked hard to save money but it is not enough. Others want to go to a better university but its cost is out of their reach. Most people will have a hard time affording college, but with a bad or no credit it can be nearly impossible. Here are six tips for getting a student loan with bad or no credit.

1. Establish credit – One way to be able to get a student loan is to establish some credit. If you do not have any credit to your name you can check with your local bank or credit union about getting a student credit card or taking out a small loan. If you make consistent payments and do not overcharge you should be able to establish a good credit score. Banks and credit unions will work with you to help you maintain your credit score once you have established one.

2. Turn bad credit around – If you have a bad credit score you can take out a new loan or credit card and try to make your payments on time. Clearing out your old debt will go a long way to raising your credit score. Some credit card companies will work with you if they know that you are trying to turn your credit around. Call up anyone you owe money to and see if they can work something out for you. Bad credit can be turned around.

3. Know your loans – There are many types of student loans available and not all of them rely on a credit score. Sometimes states will award loans and scholarships are based on need only and not on credit. FASFA is a needs based loan that the government has set up. The amount of money you receive depends on your need. Your credit score is not taken into consideration. Private loans will look at your credit score. If you can fund your college career with FASFA and state loans you will not have to worry about private loans. You may be able to get away with fewer private loans if you qualify for FASFA. Go online and fill out your FASFA form today to see how much money you can receive towards your college degree.

4. Borrow the maximum – If you qualify for a FASFA or state loan you should borrow the maximum amount you can as long as it is subsidized. An unsubsidized loan will require you to make payments while you are still in college. A subsidized loan will not require payments until you are out of school for six months. Then you can start paying or make different payment arrangements.

5. Get help – If you need help figuring your way around bad credit you can check out personal finance blogs and sites that have guides such as the LearnBonds guide for people with bad credit. You can also ask at your local band or credit union. It is important to have good credit coming out of college and for loans. Take the time to find out exactly what you need to start on the road to a good credit score today.

6. Maintain credit – Once you have gotten your loans and good credit score it is important for you to maintain your good credit. Future purchases will depend on a good credit score. Find out exactly how much money you have outgoing and incoming and make sure your outgoing balance does not exceed your incoming one. Try and create a savings for emergencies and for fun trips or pleasure. Many banks offer special holiday or vacation savings rates to help people save their money and have a good time. Good credit is a great thing to have and keep. Be sure you are educated when it comes to your credit score so you can expand your education later.

 

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.

 

The Rise Of Luxury Dorms – What Do They Mean For Campus Life?

BY ANNABEL MONAGHAN

 What did your college dorm look like? If you’re like most grads, you likely lived in a bare bones room – not particularly attractive or comfortable, but it did the job. More recent grads, however, describe a different experience. As a result of what’s been called the “amenities arms race,” colleges are undertaking extensive new construction projects at exorbitant costs. While schools spent $6.1 billion on construction projects in 1995 – largely due to the growing number of students attending college – by 2006 that number peaked at $15 billion, with spending targeting upgrades, rather than expansion.

In the midst of all this construction, one of the most noticeable changes to hit college campuses is the quality of housing available. Though certainly not the norm for all students, luxury dorms offer an opportunity for wealthier students to upgrade their living experience without leaving the oversight, and the financial umbrella, of the school. But what does this shift mean for campus life? Luxury housing may not be the source of inequality on campus, but its presence may amplify it.

The University Luxury Boom

Luxury dorms and university housing take a number of forms, depending on the location of the campus and just how elite the housing is designed to be. At Wichita State, for example, luxury housing means a nicer, tech equipped dorm at the center of campus – and a price tag double that of the underused standard housing. Despite vacant units elsewhere on campus, Wichita sunk $65 million into this new project because it will help them attract more students and because parents are willing to pay for such high-end housing.

While wealthier students are shelling out for nicer housing, as well as hidden perks like concierge service for the true 1%, students reliant on financial aid, especially first generation and minority college students, live wherever they can. This is especially concerning considering the hidden phenomenon of homelessness and food insecurity on college campuses. Rather than using construction funds to address equity issues that significantly compromise some students’ ability to access an education, universities continue to indulge wealthy students whose paths have already been cleared of barriers.

Profiting From Privilege

Obviously wealthy students can afford to pay more for nicer housing, but is constructing such luxury dorms, most of which ultimately serve upper-middle class students, not one-percenters, actually profitable for colleges? The answer is complicated, requiring a look not just at college finances, but at how construction and development financing works.

When colleges build luxury dorms, especially in major cities where these dorms tend to resemble high-end apartment buildings, they know that they’ll be charging students a flat rate while they handle all of the additional expenses, including utilities. They may charge students for some added services, such as maintenance – colleges tuck all kinds of fees into their payment schedule – but overall, it’s on the school to handle all the bills, and this gives them access to a modified gross lease.

As described in this complete guide to the modified gross lease, this financial model can make dorms more profitable for colleges because they know that they’ll have very few, if any, vacancies in the property. It’s easy to set a fixed fee, then, and know that it will not only cover operating costs, but also pay for construction and generate profit. This works especially well in cities where, if students aren’t offered these housing options, they’ll simply opt to live off campus. With luxury housing, colleges keep that money on campus.

What Students Really Need

Indulgent dorms may be a profitable investment, but they come at a cost to the rest of the student body. Not only are their students facing housing insecurity on campus, but students in older dorms could benefit immensely from simple upgrades. Improving the HVAC system, installing better WIFI and other digital capabilities, and even just improving the student bathrooms would all make standard dorms more comfortable and appealing, and should become the glue that holds school communities together. Unfortunately, it’s hard to boast about modernizing dorms to meet basic student needs to way a school could about luxury housing.

Finally, the United States’ obsession with luxury and catering to wealth is reaching abroad and influencing British universities. Shifting away from inexpensive and often dilapidated dorms and apartments, universities across the UK are investing in pricy and elaborate housing options like those at Coventry University, which are modeled on hotel rooms. But what these schools are discovering is that these new residential options not only amplify distinctions among students, but they also drive town and gown tensions. Schools have often struggled to connect with their surrounding communities, but by building over the top luxury housing that would be unaffordable to local residents. Simply put, this new housing creates multiple levels of friction.

Luxury housing may be a financial boon for universities, but ultimately this shouldn’t be a primary concern for schools. At a time when students and adjuncts alike are facing economic stress, schools could be investing their funds in providing stability and a shared standard of living. Instead, the institutions that are meant to lift students up are further dividing them by economic status.

Annabel Monaghan is a writer with a passion for education and edtech. She writes education and career articles for The College Puzzle with the aim of providing useful information for students and young professionals. If you have any questions, please feel free to email her at annabelmonaghanwriter@gmail.com. 

 

Useful Java Programming Online Courses For College Students

BY JEREMY KENDELL

Many college students looking for websites to learn Java. Being one of the most popular programming languages, it is an active part of numerous university and college courses. If you are new to programming and would like to start with a friendly language, then Java would be a good choice.

The Top 10 Online Programs That All the Java Students Should Check

  1. CodingBat

This is considered as a go-to free online resource that is developed particularly for college students by a programming educator. It has dedicated sections for Java and Python, covering all kinds of programming-related exercises. The web resource is divided into different sections, each focusing on a programming principle (check this) like arrays, loops, functions, strings, etc.

There is an inbuilt text editor for each problem that students can use to write the code. Later, they can check the solution and even track their progress. Before solving these exercises, students can also go through the related theory or watch informative video tutorials as well.

  1. Java 101

As the name suggests, this website is dedicated to the basics of Java. It covers a more theoretical approach and gradually leads to programming. While it is not recommended for advanced learners, first-time Java students would find it extremely helpful.

  1. Java Code Geeks

This is a community of Java learners and programmers to share knowledge and skills under one roof. While the interface is a bit cluttered, you will find dedicated lessons for core Java and JavaScript. Also, you can post your queries about Java and interact with other students.

  1. Cave of Programming

The “Java for Beginners” module on Cave of Programming would certainly clear all the doubts you have regarding the basics of the language. It has covered all kinds of programming principles that first-time students should be aware of. The best thing is that the online course is available for free.

  1. Udemy

Udemy hosts a wide range of courses that are designed by industry experts. The good thing is that you can choose the best-suited course for your requirements. Though, most of these courses are paid.

  1. Coursera

Just like Udemy, Coursera also offers a wide range of dedicated programs for learning Java. Most of these courses are affiliated by globally-reputed universities and can help you earn more credits. After completing the course, you can even get the respective certificate as well. Since these courses are paid, you should look for other free options beforehand.

  1. JavaTPoint

This is one of the most popular online resources for learning Java. The website features dedicated courses on programming concepts like arrays, functions, strings, etc. Apart from Java, you can learn other programming languages as well like C, C++, Python, etc.

  1. Programiz

Programiz might not be as popular as other options here, but it is certainly worth giving a try. It has hosted dedicated tutorials for Java, C, and Python. Users can look for specific lectures or go through the entire course. The interface is pretty impressive with most of the resources available for free.

  1. edX

As of now, edX provides both free and paid Java programming courses. Most of these courses are dedicated to first-time Java students. Therefore, if you are looking for an intermediate or advanced level university course, then you skip this option. Since the courses offered here are affiliated by top-notch universities, it will certainly be a good option to consider.

  1. Solo Learn

Solo Learn provides different modules related to Java programming that anyone can go through on their own. It starts with the basics and gradually moves to more advanced topics. Apart from theory, it also includes exercises and quizzes to test your newly acquired skills.

Now when you know about not one, but ten different sources to learn Java, you can easily sharpen your programming skills. Go ahead and explore some of these above-listed options on your own. We would recommend trying freely available resources like CodingBat before exploring the paid options. Surely, our aim is not to promote the website, but to help students in their search of additional platforms to learn Java, which can assist in becoming professional.

 Bio
Jeremy Kendell

Jeremy is an expert publishing consultant and skilled tech writer. He was reporting on tech news and all aspects of the web developing industry. He delivers top-notch content with a unique view on usual things.

 

 

Most Common Undergraduate Dissertation Problems: How To Deal With Them

BY SEBASTIAN MILLER

Ordinary homework and essays are difficult for an undergraduate. When the stakes are rising even higher with a dissertation, the challenge becomes more intense. Thus, experts have identified common dissertation writing mistakes and challenges that every undergraduate student should anticipate and find a way of overcoming.

  1. Not Understanding Or Getting Your Title/Research Question/Hypothesis/Aim Accurately

Starting off a paper is always a huge challenge for students. You have no idea whether the title is accurate, or whether you’ve chosen a thesis statement that will give you the results you desire. Some students will choose research questions that are ambiguous or a hypothesis that is erroneous. In other cases, translating the idea into a research question becomes a problem. That may delay the commencement of your paper to a great extent.

Avoid wasting time or starting off on the wrong foot by consulting your supervisor or teacher. The teacher will provide guidance on how to select a strong title, formulate the research question, and keep your work within researchable limits. Use proofread samples and examples to guide you when crafting these important sections of your paper. Discuss the examples with your teacher or supervisor to ensure that they meet the standards required.

  1. Managing Time and Meeting Deadlines

The deadline for submitting your dissertation appears to approach faster than you can complete the paper. It causes most students to rush through the paper at the last minute. The last-minute rush affects the quality of your paper and leaves you extremely stressed. It appears as though you do not have the time to handle your academics or enjoy a social life. Such lack of time will give you a terrible school experience.

Since time is limited, every student should invest in a homework planner. A planner is a notebook or application where you will enter all your assignments, their intensity or quantity, and due date. A homework planner helps you to keep track of all the work you are supposed to complete and, therefore, avoid missing the deadlines. Homework planner apps are among the helpful resources for students to make your school work easier. It will send you an alert when your paper is due to enable you to work faster or avoid missing the deadline.

  1. Getting Quality Reference Materials For Your Project

A dissertation is an academic paper that is supposed to show your thoughts about a particular subject. It has a chapter on literature review where you are supposed to present what other authors have said about the topic. You must also read sufficient, high-quality, and relevant materials on the subject to inform discussions on your paper. The use of poor quality reference materials will affect the strength of your ideas.

Consult your teacher to recommend high-quality reference materials. Your supervisor has come across different databases and will guide you on the best source of quality articles, books, and such other reference materials. You will never get it wrong when you get guidance from your teacher or supervisor.

  1. Citations And Referencing

Academic writing requires a student to acknowledge the source of his ideas. Each discipline has strict rules on how to cite your sources and make references to these sources. The rules can be confusing and also take a lot of time to execute. Unfortunately, failure to follow the rules attracts punitive penalties. The solution is to use citation and reference apps. The apps provide room to enter the details of these sources and with the click of a button, generate a citation, or reference. Use apps and platforms that are accurate.

  1. Straying From Your Purpose

A topic mutates in the course of research and drafting, almost pushing you to a different conclusion. Academic writing rules require consistency from the topic to the introduction, body, and conclusion of your paper. You should avoid straying from your main topic by developing an outline. The outline indicates your ideas from the introduction to the body and conclusion. Such a plan gives you a general view of your paper before you even commence drafting. Regularly consult your supervisor or teacher who will help you maintain focus on your main topic.

Each student will experience a unique challenge based on the topic and academic prowess. Consult your supervisor regularly and use the resources available to make academic writing easy. Such measures will make the completion of your dissertation easy and satisfying.

Author Bio

Sebastian Miller is a former Calling Lake School science teacher. After four years of teaching, he decided to become a freelance writer. In Sebastian’s opinion, math is the core of all science, and his goal is to enlighten as many scholars as possible through writing.