Effective Ways to Promote Your On-Campus Event

By Emma Bonney

College campuses are always full of events, whether it’s a concert, a film screening or a nationally acclaimed speaker. When you’re planning a campus event, getting people to attend can sometimes be more difficult than coordination the event altogether. So, what are the most effective ways you can get people to hear about the event and spark their interest to participate?

Social Media

Social media is probably one of the most effective ways to advertise an event. Create an event on Facebook and share it with everybody on campus. Invite people to the event and ask them to invite their friends as well. Instagram and Twitter are also a good way to promote the event, although it has to be done in a more creative way. You can share the poster of the event on Instagram or even go a bit further and share stories from the whole planning process. This will attract people’s curiosity and convince them to attend.

Email

When trying to find an effective way to advertise something through email, think about the newsletters that you receive from your favorite subscriptions. You would not even open the email or read the content if it was not something that caught your interest. Try to create the content of the email based on that idea. Put together an informative text about the main theme of the event and advertise your event in the end. This will make sure to get people’s attention and will not make the email seem like spam. Then, send it to everybody on campus and ask them to further invite their friends by forwarding the emails to them.

Flyers

Although they are one of the oldest forms of advertising, this does not mean that flyers are less effective. Eye-catching flyer designs will attract people and spark their curiosity. Don’t put too much information on it. Just the highlights of the event, the date and time and one or two important ideas. Leave flyers in the most frequented places on campus, such as cafeteria, dorms or library. Ask friends to spread them around and don’t forget about bulletin boards. Another effective way to make sure they reach your audience is to also send flyers in the mail.

College Newspaper or Website

If your college has a newspaper or a website, discuss with the editor and ask if they can post a short article or description of the event. It can either be a short O&A session with the speaker or a short story about the overall event. You can write a short text explaining the reason you thought about putting together the event, what your experience has been so far and what you plan on accomplishing with this. Don’t forget to include the date and time of the event, contact information if necessary and any other important info. You can also choose to go a simpler way and just have the flyer or poster of the event un in the newspaper or on the website.

Word of Mouth

Perhaps one of the most effective ways to attract people’s attention is to have other people talk about the event. Make sure you spread the word about it through friends, classmates and even teachers. Tell people about the event and make sure to encourage them to tell their friends also. If people are talking about it, this means the information is going to reach more students and bring more attendees. Make sure to also ask people to share the event on social media or invite their friends. Although not literally, this counts as word of mouth too.

Send Invitations

If you plan on inviting the professors and faculty members too, it would look more professional if done through a printed invitation, instead of an email. Just like the flyers, make sure to include the important information on the invitation, as well as the name of the person it’s handed to. A nice touch is to handwrite the name, as it will look more personal and thoughtful. Make sure someone from the organizing team is handing down the invitations, so they can answer any questions the professors might have. Tell them about the importance of the event and why their presence would be valuable.

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.

Academic Excellence isn’t Everything: Using College for Growth, not Grades

BY ANTON LUCANUS

 Anyone that has been a student at some point in their lives can attest to the fact that it is an experience that is unparalleled by any other. The information that you learn and (hopefully) maintain during your time at college ultimately proves to be the building blocks of your future career path, it is important for you to realise that university is essentially a stepping stone into the trajectory path towards your career. There is a lot of advice that is almost certainly going to come your way from all angles throughout your academic years. However, the single most important piece of advice you will ever get as a student is precisely that: to treat university as the learning curve it is. University will give you the academic tools to move into your desired career path, but it is but it does not provide you with all the experience you need to make it when you reach the point of entering the workforce in your chosen field.C

 University and college is an experience that is both challenging and exhilarating. Its unique nature is something that is at once a testament to the power of intellect and the chaos of humanity. For many students, the years spent at university are some of – if not the – most high-pressure years of their entire lives. There is so much that is riding on the successes and failures of the experience, and students are so immersed in it that they often treat their experience as a student as the be all and end all of life as they know it. Now of course dedication is a trait to be admired. But it is also important that students realise that university is not the be all and end all. In fact, university is a stepping stone, a pivotal point in the trajectory towards one’s career. Designed as the biggest and longest learning curve there is, university works so well because it provides students with the knowledge and the basic tools to establish a foothold in their respective industries.

Figuring out how to tap into that potential

Whether that means  improving writing skills to help you get through the high-pressure periods in the semester as you work hard on all fronts, or investing in therapy sessions to help you keep calm and sound mentally (or any other manner of coping mechanisms), do them. Because it is always better to take care of yourself, while taking care of your health, than it is to sit in the back of a classroom uninspired, waiting until class ends so you can go the next classroom and do the same, for three years. Great minds are as such because they are driven to succeed, to make a lasting, profound difference. And university is just the first stepping stone – but it is also the biggest. So, make adequate use of your time as a student. Go above and beyond. This is the time for you to show everyone what you are made of. This is the moment in time that shapes other key aspects of professional development. Make sure that you are involved in every aspect of the experience – not just the classes themselves.

The necessity of branching out to reach your full potential

However, more than that, college cannot give students everything they need to succeed professionally. This is the mistake made most often by students. So engrossed in academic excellence, many students make the mistake of giving their entire being to their school work. This becomes a problem because school can only provide you so much. There is a lot of self-imposed work to be done too. When you have time, volunteer or intern at companies that specialise in your professional interests. Whether you’re studying to become a personal injury attorney or a literary professor, this is incredible important. Go out of your way to network, attending events and seminars that can help you establish a rapport and a reputation while you are still a student – this can (and often goes) prove to be priceless. While higher education is one of the most challenging experiences you are ever bound to go through, it is also so important to keep in mind that this unique experience is stressful. So, asking for help when you are struggling is sometimes not only recommended, but necessary, in every sense of the word.

At the end of the day…

College and University is a truly unique experience for any individual who decides to expand their academic and intellectual horizons. And every single student who has been a higher education student knows all too well that there is what seems at times like a limitless influx of advice that is offered from every conceivable angle. While most pieces of advice are helpful in their own way, there are some that stick out more than others, that seem to click for most (if not all) students. And the advice to treat university as the stepping stone into one’s career is perhaps the single best piece of advice that any student can and will ever get. At its core, university of course gives students the knowledge and the tools to begin figuring things out professionally. But students must ultimately do more than simply attend their classes if they want to excel academically and adequately prepare themselves for their future as an industry professional. It is about so much more than classes; it is also about interning, networking, and doing everything you can to not only flourish, but positively thrive.

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.

Federal Student Loans vs Private Loans: Things to Keep in Mind

BY KIRSTIAN KRISYK

With the costs of education being higher than ever and continuing to grow, few students have an opportunity to fully pay their way through college or even have their parents do it for them. If you don’t want your parents to go broke for your sake or to take a reverse mortgage on their house to pay for your degree, you have to think about ways of finding extra resources. And one of the most obvious ways to do it is a student loan. However, there is a question: what is better, a private or a federal loan? The answer, as usual, is: it depends on your situation. So let’s take a closer look.

The main difference

Federal loans are funded by the government and have strictly fixed terms and conditions: what you can use the money for, what your interest rates are when you have to start making payments. Usually, they come with a grace period, postponing your first payments until after you graduate.

Private loans are funded by private organizations (banks, credit unions, even schools themselves) and can have a wide variety of conditions. Most of them are more expensive than federal ones, and many have you start paying them off while you are still in school.

Why not just choose a federal loan, then?

At a glance, it may seem that federal loans are better by any measure – and normally you should look for them before applying for a private loan. However, it is not as clear-cut as this. Firstly, federal loans come with a cap and are often just not enough to cover the tuition costs, forcing you to look for other sources. You can take only a limited number of them. Finally, they strictly limit what you can spend the money on – normally it is just tuition and education-related expenses, and your definition of this term may differ from that of the lender. This is where private loans can help you scrape up the necessary cash to cover the expenses not included in your federal loan – e.g., relocation to your first place of work or living costs.

What to keep in mind

Be careful when determining the terms of repayment

Federal loans allow you to choose very extended repayment periods, up to 30 years. This way you will have to pay only a small amount every year, compared to a shorter repayment, but you should remember that you will pay much more over the lifetime of your loan. Thus, if you believe you can afford it, you should try to choose a shorter term.

Take your starting salary into account

Don’t take on debt that is more than your expected first year’s salary. Calculate how long it will take you to repay it and try to make it 10 years or less.

Start with federal loans

Federal loans usually offer better and more lenient terms than private ones but are limited. Start looking for available options among them, and only move on to private loans after you maximize your federal loans.

Shop around

In order to find out the exact rate you are going to get from each lender, you will have to apply for a loan. The advertised price may come hand in hand with additional conditions that make it unacceptable in your case. Get in touch with a number of lenders before settling for any of them.

A student loan can give you the means of getting an education of your dreams – but if you do it wrong, you can end up with more debt than you can handle.

BY LINE–Kristian Krisyk had been working in the field of web design for 7 years before becoming an entrepreneur in 2014 in design and marketing. His professional interests and hobbies defined major topics of his articles. These days Kristian runs his business and looks for new development opportunities. Follow him @KristianKrisyk or contact at kristian.krisyk@gmail.com

 

5 Ways to Study Outside of College

BY SEBASTIAN MILLER

In youthful stages, the university was not only a pleasant place to be but also a great way to convert the surpass free time at hand into resourceful skill gaining time. Once you land a job, however, time becomes a limited commodity, and as such the ability to get back to college and expand your skills is limited.

Although this is the case, forfeiting to learn additional skills is not a path you may opt to venture. Similarly, you cannot limit the growth of your skills to campus or college degrees. Given the vitality of skills in landing better-paying positions and increasing know-how in your field of operation, study outside of college remains the ideal solution.

Without organizing your method of approach to self-study, the entire process could end in jeopardy and cost you time and your hard-earned money. To ensure that you rip the most benefit from studying out of college, here are some tips to steer you in the right trajectory.

1. Keep tabs on current news and trends in your field of expertise

Among the most significant ways to learn and build your skills, updating yourself with current news ranks top on the list. By browsing the news often, you acquaint yourself with new developments in your field and top grossing skills at any point in time.

After gaining the information, pursue outlets that offer tutoring and material thus keeping yourself at per with technology and increasing your marketability. With the ample supply of content both on online forums and libraries, gaining relevant skills and honing them to a pro level proves an easy endeavor.

To even better your journey, platforms of the likes of usessaywriters.com offer assistance on multiple niches and ensure that you cover all the nitty-gritty items entailed in specific fields.

2. Enrolling for online classes

Thanks to technological advancements, it is now easier to access essay services from various parts on the globe, and the classroom no longer is the only place to gain skills. With online tutoring sites like Udemy and Coursera, you can increase your prowess in any niche at a lower cost and without breaking your schedule.

Unlike traditional class systems, the online study allows you to study at a time convenient to you and also gets updated frequently to tackle the most recent developments in a field. To supplement your selected method of approach, you may consider using YouTube videos and other online resources thus extensively tackling every topic you come across.

Since there is a plethora of free and paid for courses, you can create an ideal combo of resources and still without having to break the bank.

3. Signing for programs your employer/ HR department offers employees

Among the trends in management, certification and skill training are playing a crucial role in shaping the development of companies. To get higher ranks and attract a more substantial pay, enroll for company offered courses often and regularly update your skills on your portfolio.

Unlike self-education, HR developed courses save you tons of cash as the company covers a more substantial part of the fees thus incurring lesser cost on your pocket.

4. Using a lab/site to test acquired skills

A major miss for many people studying out of campus is lack of practice. By tackling a course without exercise, you retain fewer skills thus undermining your delivery at the workplace.

When going about self-education, ensure that you access an online lab/site to test and perfect your skills. For the case of IT skills, ensure that you practice regularly and come up with solutions for issues you come across as you exercise recently acquired skills.

5. Reading books

Books are perhaps the only resource that surpasses online resources in terms of information. With a plentiful supply of authored content available in libraries and online shops, gaining knowledge for self-education proves an easy endeavor.

Unlike online resources, books are handled by many authors and publishers before launching thus offer more accurate information. To save money and access information provided in books, you may opt to invest in e-books as they are cheaper, more comfortable to access and easily portable.

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 enlight as many schoolers as possible through writing.

 

6 Activities That Give College Students a Positive Attitude

BY LORRAINE McKINNEY

Sometimes you hit a point in the semester where you are feeling down or depressed. It seems like you have neverending papers to write and endless books to read. Sometimes it is a good idea to put your books and homework aside for a little while and focus on you. You will feel better and be able to get through your reading and writing. Here are six activities that will help you maintain a positive attitude while you are at college.

1. Goals – Take some time to write down your goals both long term and short term. If you write down when you next paper or assignment is due it will help you figure out a good time management plan to accomplish your goals. Sometimes seeing things laid out in calendar form can help you wrap your head around what needs to be done and when. Your assignments will seem less imposing and you will be able to relax knowing that you have your goals set.
2. Organize your workspace – You will be more productive and less stressed in an organized workspace. Get some file folders and some organizers and put the mess in its place. The more organized you are the less chance you will forget to do an assignment and the less anxious you will feel. Take half and hour and re-organize your workspace to feel less anxious and more productive.
3. Try something new – Go out and take some dance lessons. You can learn the hustle or many other dances. Go to a park and take part in an ultimate frisbee game. Trying something new and exciting will up your happiness levels and help you make new friends. Getting away from your desk and moving around is beneficial to both your mental and physical health. The healthier you are the less anxious you will be.
4. Think positive – Instead of worrying about how much reading you have to do, think about all the new things you are learning while you read. Take your negative thoughts and turn them around to positive thoughts and actions. Just taking a few minutes a day and thinking positive thoughts can help your whole outlook become happier and healthier. A positive attitude starts with you. See life in a whole new way by just changing this aspect of it.
5. Help someone out – Sometimes the simple act of helping someone in need is all it takes to feel better and more positive. Take some time and volunteer at a local animal shelter or food bank. Helping those who cannot help themselves is a great way to feel better and do good. You will be helping the world while feeling better. Animals will love just having you around and people will appreciate that you took time off from your busy day to help them. You can find local places to volunteer through your college or online.
6. Give yourself a treat – Whether it is a piece of chocolate for each paper you write or a long walk outside after reading your chapters for the day, a treat will brighten you up and show you what you have accomplished. Treating yourself for accomplishing things will help you have a more positive attitude and will encourage you to finish your reading and writing.

There are many ways to develop a more positive attitude. If you follow the steps above you will be on the right road. Take some time away from your studies and do something that feels good to you. This will help you hone a more positive attitude towards your studies and your life. Having a positive attitude will change your world for the best.

 

Lorraine McKinney is an academic tutor and elearning specialist.

 

How to Keep Learning When You Have Low Motivation

By Connie Benton

We’ve all been there. You need to study, but the motivation just isn’t there. Most people would say you need to cheer up and find the reasons to study. You have to think about long term goals, and envision them. You have to understand how hard work today converts to your happiness tomorrow.

But if you tried to do this, you know it barely works. You may get the motivation you need for a couple of weeks, but once studying becomes routine again, the motivation is gone.

That’s not the only way you can go about learning, however. Here’s how you can learn with low motivation.

Sleep well

Often, students ignore sleep to study more. If you ever tried to get an A, the odds are you were cramming the whole night before an exam at least once. But that is not the best way to learn.

In fact, sleeping well increases your memory. But that’s not the main thing you should be looking for in sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, lack of sleep decreases your focus. Creativity and ability to form new neurological links suffers as well.

Since you study best when you are able to associate new information with the information you already know, having a good night’s sleep is crucial.

Diet

No, this doesn’t mean you have to try intermitted fasting again. Besides, it doesn’t even work. What this means is there are specific foods you can eat to boost your ability to study.

Omega-3 fatty acids are not the superfood many journalists want them to be. Despite this, they’re really good for you. Take foods rich with omega-3, and you will fight anxiety and improve your eye health. Salmon or sardines are a great choice for such foods.

Another food you want to eat is chocolate. There’s evidence that dark chocolate is good for cognition. Have a piece of chocolate, and you will focus more.

Have a coffee

It’s no secret that drinking coffee makes you more alert. There’s plenty of scientific evidence for it as well.

This beverage is what drives the world forward, so you should join the club if you want to study better. Make sure you don’t indulge in caffeine for too long, or you may be getting the negative side effects instead of positive ones.

Squat

You probably have seen a weirdo who leaves his chair to exercise at least once. Bad news, you have to become that weirdo.

The Guardian says, the benefits of exercising include better memory, and better alertness. So, if you’re not feeling like studying, all you need is just a dozen squats.

Focus on the process

The problem with long-term motivation is that you will reap what you saw in four years. You have to do the boring groundwork now. This runs contrary to the way our brains work.

There are two options for how to break this vicious cycle. You can either boost your willpower to deal with the problem or fall in love with the boring groundwork.

Learn to enjoy the process of studying, and you’ll have fewer problems with concentration.

Join a community

The easiest way to love what you study is to talk about it with someone except your teacher. Find a community of people who study the same thing, and you are half way to success.

Talk about what fascinates you about the things you learn and how you can apply them. Once the discussion starts, you’ll be very much interested in continuing the study.

If your motivation is to have fun studying, you don’t need to try and follow your long-term goals.

You don’t need long-term motivation

Long-term motivation is a rational thing. We, humans, don’t always act in a rational way. If you want to get to your long-term goals, find irrational ways to reach rational ends. These 6 are a great start.

BIO: Connie Benton is a passionate freelance writer and regular contributor.

 

Steps to Take When Facing a Medical Emergency on College

BY KIMBERLY EVANS

One of the aspects that many college students, and even their parents for that matter, worry about is a medical emergency. This is a misplaced fear because most medical emergencies are manageable if you’re prepared and know how to handle these emergencies.

This guide will take you through some of the common medical emergencies you’re likely to face in college and the ways and means to handle them.

Know the emergency numbers

Every college will have a volunteer-driven emergency medical service comprising of student volunteers who are well-trained in first-response emergency procedures. Many of these volunteers will also have formal training or certificate as First Responders.

This service will be available 24 X 7, so you can rest assured that help is on hand if you ever face a medical emergency. Make sure you have the contact number of this service and know whom to talk to. Ideally, save this number on your phone and paste it on prominent places in your dorm/room, so others can access it for you.

Do your research

If you’re moving to a new city for college, take time to do some research about the medical facilities available in your neighborhood. Talk to different doctors and identify a primary care physician. If you can get recommendations from a doctor in your home city, that will work too. Reach out to this doctor in case of an emergency, as he/she can guide you on what needs to be done.

Get the emergency numbers

Make a list of the closest pharmacy, hospital, emergency room and urgent care clinics around your college. Save all these numbers on your phone and put them on your speed dial.

In addition, paste these numbers on your fridge and or any other prominent place so your dorm roommates and others can see it as well.

Have a first-aid kit

Build a first aid kit for yourself in your dorm room. Keep things that are essential for your medical needs. For example, if you are prone to wheezing often, have a wheezing spray as a part of your medical kit. Besides such specific items, have a few bandages, antiseptic creams, and a few over-the-counter medicines for common conditions such as cold and fever.

There are many websites that give you comprehensive information on what should go into your emergency first-aid box. Read through those listings and pick the ones that you believe you’ll need in an emergency.

But remember, a first-aid kit is never a substitute for medical help in an emergency. It is just something that can save you until you get help.

Build a social circle

One of the first things that help you when you go to college is a good social network. While this doesn’t happen overnight, you need to start taking concrete steps towards building a social circle.

Tell your closest friends and roommates about any specific medical condition you may have and tell them what they should do in case of a medical emergency. They should be able to help you in the event of an emergency.

If you have a local guardian, make sure you inform them as well, so they can be prepared. Share the contact number of this guardian with your friends and roommates and vice-versa, so everyone knows whom to contact in the event of an emergency.

Routine medical checkup

College is a busy time and you’ll always have more work than time. But that is no excuse to neglect your health. Make sure you have routine medical checkups and stay on top of your health, especially if you’re suffering from any specific medical condition.

Know when to contact your lawyer

Sometimes, medical emergencies will require the assistance of a lawyer, especially if you think it is because of the negligence of any company or individual. In such a case, make sure to pick a local lawyer. For example, if your college is in the city of Philadelphia, pick an experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyer, as this will make communication and interactions easy.

Thus, these are some of the steps you can take to handle a possible medical emergency that may come your way in college.

 

Kimberly Evans is a writer, traveler and Internet chatter. She covers stories about businesses and lives that inspire her. Email: KimberlyEvansPen@gmail.com

HOW TO BUY YOUR FIRST PROPERTY WITH A MASSIVE STUDENT DEBT

BY JIMMY POPWORTH

 

Can you buy your dream house with a massive student debt?

The common wisdom is bleak: borrowers all over the country fail to live their American Dream because of student loan debts.

You can do things differently.

There are so many ways you can get around to buying your first property even if you haven’t cleared your student loan debt.

CONSIDER THESE STATISTICS

If you’re struggling to pay off your student debt, you’re not alone. Right now over 44 million borrowers collectively owe a total student debt of $1.5 trillion.

There’s more:

• There is currently $31 billion student loan debt that is over 90 days overdue.
• Almost 2.2 million borrowers of student loan carry a balance of approximately $100,000.
• There are approximately $850 billion outstanding student loan debts among borrowers aged 40 years and below.

Considering the stats above, it’s not surprising that most people consider it an impossible feat to buy their own property before they have paid off their student debt.

You don’t have to wait until you can clear off all your student loan debt. That could take decades.

Take these 8 steps and buy your first property right away:

1. IMPROVE YOUR OVERALL CREDIT SCORE

FICO credit score is a commonly used credit score and it ranges between 350 and 800. The higher your score, the better your credit. If your credit score is 750 or more, you have an excellent credit, but anything below 600 will deem you a poor credit score.

Your overall credit score will determine, to a great extent, your chances of getting a mortgage and how low your rate gets.

A credit bureau will collect information about your past credit record and come up with a credit score. Your potential lenders will assess your level of risk as a potential borrower based on your credit score. If you spot any errors, immediately inform the credit bureau so they can correct it.

2. HANDLE YOUR DEBT-TO-INCOME RATIO

Many of the lenders assess the debt-to-income ratio to make credit decisions and determine the interest rate they will offer.

A debt-to-income ratio is the total percentage of your monthly gross income that is used to make your debt payments every month. This number is one way lenders will assess your ability to manage the monthly payments you make to repay your debt.

Consider these three ways to reduce your debt-to-income ratio:

• Pay off all existing debts.
• Increase your income.
• Or both.

3. TAKE CARE OF YOUR PAYMENTS

The fact that lenders prefer to lend to borrowers who are financially responsible is a no-brainer.

Your past payment record is a vital component in determining your overall credit score. To make sure you always pay on time, set up an auto-pay in your account so that you will directly debit the funds every month.

Your recent payments will heavily influence your FICO scores and hence your future plays a more important role than your history.

Take care of these things:

• Pay off all delayed payments
• Never skip your payments
• Automate your payments, so you’re never late even when you forget

4. FIRST GET A MORTGAGE PRE-APPROVAL

A lot of people make the mistake of finding a home first before getting a mortgage.

Get the mortgage first.

This way you will know what kind of property you can afford. Before you get pre-approved, your potential lenders will assess your assets, income, employment and credit profile among other things.

5. REDUCE YOUR CREDIT SPENDING

Lenders will also examine your credit spending or credit card utilization every month. A good number should be below 30%. Below 10% is a excellent number if you can manage it.

Let’s take for example you have a credit card limit of $10,000. To keep your credit utilization at 30%, you need to limit your monthly spending to $3,000.

Consider these tips for managing your monthly credit spending:

• Monitor your credit spending by setting up an automatic balance alert.
• Request your lender to increase the limit in your credit card.
• Clear off all your credit balance more than once a month to limit your credit spending.

6. GET ASSISTANCE FOR A DOWN PAYMENT

Even if you have a student loan debt, there is a variety of assistance for down payment.

Here are some popular ones:

• FHA loans: FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration. You can get an FHA loan at as little as 3.5% down payment if you have a credit score above 580.
• VA loans: This is a $0 down payment mortgage available for select military spouses, service members, veterans, etc.
• USDA loans: This is a 100% financing mortgage for home buyers with moderate to low income available to suburban and rural homeowners.

Keep an eye out for local, state and federal assistance programs that you can benefit from.

Although not common, you can also consider a lawsuit loan if you find yourself in the midst of a debt collection lawsuit for defaulting.

7. MERGE CREDIT CARD DEBTS INTO PERSONAL LOAN

Here are two ways to go about it:

• Clear off your credit debt before you apply for a mortgage.
• If you can’t do that, merge all your credit debt by turning it into a personal loan. This will considerably lower the interest rate.

As you can see, a personal loan will reduce your expense on interest over the term of repayment which typically lasts for 3 to 7 years.

Getting a personal loan will also improve your overall credit score as this is an installment loan. Meaning it has a fixed term of repayment. Therefore by turning your credit debt into a personal loan, you will reduce your credit spending and also diversify the type of debt.

8. REFINANCE YOUR STUDENT LOAN

When potential lenders assess your overall debt-to-income ratio, they will also examine your payment of student loan every month.

A smart way to reduce your monthly loan payments is by refinancing it. When your interest rate is lower, your lenders will consider this as a positive sign that your student loan repayment will be made faster. You can find refinance lenders for student loans offering low interest rates at 2.5-3% or less which is much lower than the private in-school loan or federal student loan interest rates.

The underwriting criteria and eligibility requirement vary with each lender, but generally it will include your minimum income, monthly cash flow, credit profile, and debt-to-income ratio.

A student loan refinancing will work with private student loans or federal student loans.

Follow these 8 strategies to manage your student loan debt, and you will be well on your way to buying your first property.

Jimmy Popworth is an online journalist, writer and web developer with an Associates Degree in Applied Science. His writing style is both informative and witty, and his tastes are eclectic.

 

 

3 Legal Pitfalls College Students Must Avoid

By: Susan Parker

College is undoubtedly one of the most memorable and exciting years in any person’s life. At the same time, this is also the period when you step out of your house and enter the “adult” world. You are mostly responsible for yourself, your finances, and even your actions. While this may seem exciting at first, it comes with a ton of responsibilities as well.

As you navigate through this real world, you learn what to do and what to avoid for a good life. While this can seem like the foundation for your future, it is equally important to stay away from certain legal pitfalls as they can have a lasting impact on your future.

Instead of going through the hassle of legal implications, hear it from the experts so you can save yourself from these problems. Three legal pitfalls you should avoid at any cost are:

DUI offense

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious offense in all 50 states. Though DUI may seem like a minor offense, especially for college students, the state laws, unfortunately, don’t see it that way. And for good reason too.

Research shows that when you drive under the influence of any substance, your cognitive functioning is impaired and in turn, this greatly increases the chances of a road accident not just for you, but also for other innocent drivers on the road. This is why the state views DUI as a serious offense.

Also, the legal drinking age in the United States is 21. So, if you’re caught drinking below this legal age, you can attract penalties for that as well.

In most cases, colleges also have a strict code of conduct and have the right to initiate legal proceedings against you that could range from a formal reprimand to expulsion. Even if the college doesn’t give you a severe punishment, this offense will go in your record and this can affect your future educational and professional life.

For some reason, if you’re caught on the wrong side of this law, it is important you reach out to a specialized motor vehicle lawyer who can help out of this conundrum.

Rental Lease

Most students tend to live in off-campus housing for at least one year during their college life. If you’re living in a rental place or planning to move to it soon, make sure you read through the terms and conditions of the rental lease thoroughly before you sign it. Once you sign the lease, the terms are binding on you and any violation can lead to legal implications.

This becomes all the more important when you live with your roommates because you become responsible for the actions of your roommates as well! In legal terms, this is called joint and several liability and all rental agreements lay down the terms of this liability.

Though this may seem unreasonable, it is perfectly understandable from the landlords’ point of view. They expect a few reasonable things from their tenants, regardless of the internal conflicts that happen between the co-habitants. They are definitely not interested in resolving any of the internal problems or politics between co-tenants and this is why they hold everyone responsible, even if one tenant violates the terms and conditions mentioned in the rental lease.

To avoid this legal pitfall, your best bet is to sign a co-habitation lease with the rest of your roommates to lay down in clear terms the responsibility of each individual. This will help you to stay away from the legal problems that arise from the actions of any other co-habitant of your place.

Online problems

Do you know that your social media posts can land you in legal trouble? Yes, what your post online, especially negative or derogatory comments, can not only lead to expulsion from your college but can also land you in a court of law. The seriousness of this legal pitfall is often overlooked by college students who believe they are safe because they have the highest privacy settings. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.

While using social media, make sure never to post any violent, bullying, sexually inappropriate, or any other negative comment that can put you in legal trouble.

Thus, these are the three legal pitfalls that college students must avoid.

 

Susan Parker is a writer and tech geek. She volunteers for local environmental conservation programs and writes stories online about things that inspire her.

 

Identity Theft Protection Tips for Students

By David Gutierrez

 

Anyone can experience identity theft. In fact, more than 16 million Americans across all walks of life were victims of identity theft just in 2017. College students can be particularly at risk for identity theft.

Unfamiliar surroundings and new levels of responsibility can increase the odds that college students will experience identity theft. Fortunately, you can take steps right now to protect yourself from identity theft. Let’s go over some identity theft protection tips for students right now.

1.      Go Over Identity Theft Prevention Best Practices

The challenges represented by identity theft have been around for years now. This has given the experts time to develop best practices for protecting your identity, no matter where you are. Many of these tips are contained in Andy Michael’s Identity Theft Protection Guide.

Go over these strategies to familiarize yourself with the basics of identity theft protection.

2.      Be Careful with Identification Numbers and Passwords

Most people in the U.S. have a number of personal identification numbers and passwords to keep track of. You need to keep the following information private to reduce the odds that you will experience identity theft:

 

• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Credit or Debit Card Numbers
• Driver’s License Number
• Bank PINs

 

You should only share these numbers or passwords when absolutely necessary and when you are certain that you are sharing them with a legitimate organization.

3.      Avoid Public Wi-Fi Connections

Public wi-fi offers a great deal of convenience, especially when you’re in the middle of class or studying for a big paper. You might not have time to find a secure connection to research Napoleon Bonaparte’s campaigns or the importance of a diamond’s fluorescence. However, public wi-fi connections can allow anyone to see:

 

• The Sites You Visit
• Passwords You Enter Online
• Emails That You Access

If you absolutely must use public wi-fi, you should consider using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). VPNs offer you private connections through public wi-fi, which can protect your personal information.

4.      Keep Private Information Offline

In the early days of the Internet, many people avoided sharing even their names with people they met online. Times have changed, especially with the advent of social media, which encourages connections with people online.

However, it’s still a good idea to limit the personal information you share online. Identity thieves can gather information that is posted openly on your social media profiles, which could help them crack your passwords.

5.      Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

Many individuals know they need to be careful about who can access their private information online. Identity thieves can also strike in the real world. You could discover your identity is stolen if you lose track of your:

 

• Credit Cards
• Driver’s License
• Student ID Card

Identity thieves can also try to look over your shoulder while you are on your computer or phone. Keep track of what’s going on around you when you are entering sensitive information into any electronic device to protect yourself from identity theft.

6.      Use Protective Software on Your Electronic Devices

There are a number of different security options you can use to protect your private data across your computer, mobile phone, tablet, and other electronic devices. Antivirus and antimalware software, for example, can help protect you from:

 

• Keyloggers
• Trojans
• Viruses
• Spyware

Make sure that you keep your digital security software up to date, as viruses and other threats are constantly being updated. Maintaining regular updates can protect your information and help you avoid identity theft.

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft Students have many different concerns weighing on their minds. Identity theft must be one of those concerns in today’s world. Fortunately, you can protect yourself from identity theft by:

 

• Protecting Your Private Information
• Staying Off Public Wi-Fi
• Monitoring Your Surroundings
• Taking Advantage of Security Software