Summertime: Keeping Yourself in the Groove for the Next Semester

BY MELISSA BURNS

Summer is awesome: there is the sun, lots of free time, a bunch of opportunities to pursue and no studies to keep you busy. However, after a year of cramming your textbooks and hectic exams, it may be a little too awesome, and many students tend to get too much into the spirit of the things. So, if you don’t want to suddenly discover that the new academic year started a week ago, you barely remember what you did in the summer and have a raging hangover to boot, make sure you do the following to keep yourself on track:

1.    Prepare a Plan

Summer is one of those rare times when you have an impressive chunk of uninterrupted free time. At first, it may seem like a lot, but don’t let this impression fool you – if you go with the flow, it will be over before you know it. If you want to achieve any goals this summer, prepare a plan: list the things you want to do, consider which of them can realistically fit into this timespan, what can be done alongside one another. If you have a few goals, allot time to each of them and set deadlines – it will help you keep track of how well you follow your own plan.

2.    Stick to a Regular Schedule

Yes, we understand that few students can boast of having a schedule and sticking to it, but in summer most of us tend to lose any semblance of keeping regular hours. We stay up late, sleep in, go to parties, work random shifts and do all kinds of nasty things to our biological clock. It may be fun for a while, in a chaotic sense, but getting used to the more regular lifestyle, later on, is going to be a living hell – and we don’t even mention the accompanying stress and other health risks.

If you want to meet the new semester being at your best, make sure you sleep enough, have a comfortable place (to get the most of every hour of sleep), get up and turn in at the same time every day and don’t fall to temptation of catching up on your sleep after having a night out.

3.    Don’t Stop Learning

If you don’t have to attend classes, it doesn’t mean that you should stop improving yourself. Signing up for an online course you’ve always wanted to take but didn’t have enough time to will allow you to acquire skills and knowledge from outside the scope of your college education while keeping you disciplined throughout summer. When the next semester starts, you will just seamlessly move into it instead of going through a painful re-acclimatization to studies like the rest of your class. If you have learning projects from college, spread them evenly across the vacation.

4.    Replace Some Usual Summer Foods

We don’t mean to say that you should not eat anything but millet and celery – that would be the too cruel thing to do to yourself during the season of barbecue and ice cream. However, replacing some of the summer foods with their healthier alternatives at least part of the time will be a good idea for both your waistline and your general health. At the end of summer, you should be fitter and healthier than at the beginning, not the other way around!

And last but not the least – don’t forget to relax, unwind and recharge. Staying in the groove doesn’t mean all work and no play – you should maintain balance, and it will help you start the next semester ready to take on the world.

 

 

Melissa Burns graduated from the faculty of Journalism of Iowa State University. Nowadays she is an entrepreneur and independent journalist. Follow her @melissaaburns or contact at burns.melissaa@gmail.com

 

Using professors’ office hours to improve academic performance

BY ANNABEL MONAGHAN

Professors have a great wealth of knowledge that students should take the time to actually utilize. It’s important to understand that they went through many years of schooling, defending their thesis, and some even writing a dissertation to get to the point of speaking in front of students. They are educators at top of their field and the point of contact for many industry questions and opinions.

Professors are experts in their fields and understand what it takes to take their knowledge and share it with thousands of students throughout their lifetime. Their lifework is dedicated to teaching young professionals an entire industry in just four years or even just one semester. It may seem daunting sitting in a huge lecture hall and having a hard time understanding contents like every other student. That’s why it is incredibly important to utilize office hours. Professors have office hours specifically for students. They appreciate when students visit because their job as an educator is to make sure every student that wants to understand the content has the proper resources and understanding that they need to succeed in the course.

The key word in the last statement is want. Not every student cares enough to fully understand each chapter or even each course, but for the students that are passionate about their education, it can be entirely too frustrating when a concept doesn’t click immediately. By visiting office hours and asking questions, it can truly make a difference in the level of understanding a student has regarding a concept.

In a lecture hall with hundreds of students, each student is just an ID number of attendance, but in a professor’s office, a student is given a name to a face. Professors are able to build stronger professional relationships with students if they are able to spend the one on one time with them. If a positive student/professor relationship develops, it can be highly beneficial for both parties. Professors are able to call on that student in class more and have them engage more, thus the student may increase their learning ability in the class and begin understanding more concepts throughout the course.

After an exam is a great time to visit office hours and discuss missed questions to further prepare for the next exam. Students are able to understand what is expected on exams and how questions will be phrased. It lets the student understand more about what the professor is asking of them and allows the professor to understand what concepts are being misunderstood in class. If one student who normally performs well is having a difficult time understanding a theory or concept, there is a chance an even larger group of students do not understand the same thing. By simply asking a question, it may lead to an in depth class overview and discussion on the topic that will allow every student to gain more insight on the subject.

Even if students are able to understand the concepts, a formal introduction during office hours can be much appreciated. A student looking to increase their knowledge of subject can visit just to ask their professors intriguing questions about the industry, jobs, and other courses that may complement the one they are taking. As a result of their years of experience and how many individuals they work with on a regular basis, professors often have good connection in the field and can help determined students connect and network with potential employers before graduation.

 

Professors are not there in hopes that students fail contrary to some students’ attitude. Professors become professors to see people succeed in their chosen major and field. They want to be the ones that provide more than just a book of information on the topic. Professors want to impact the students with critical thinking skills and enable them research deeper on their own. Their goal is to have students understand what they are teaching and to light passion in students for their chosen field or industry.

 

Professors can provide intellectual insight on so much more than just their expertise in a field. They are there as mentors to students. When office hours are utilized correctly, they might even give students life advice on relationships, interview etiquette, or even discuss life insurance and similar topics. Professors are there to help students navigate the academic world and succeed after graduation.

 

Tuition is charged to cover the cost of education, and part of the education is having direct access to get individual lecture from professors if needed. It’s important to get the most out of college; by building healthy and professional relationship with professors, it can even help after graduation.

 

Instead of depending on personal knowledge and research ability on topics not so clear, students should learn to occasionally visit the professor that provided the information. The key to enjoying a course and making good grades may start with a knock on a professor’s door and a simple “Hello.”

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. 

 

5 Steps to Finding an Excellent Tutor

BY MARY KACHARAVA

Hiring a tutor is one of the best things you can do for yourself. That’s a big step and one that can take your knowledge and skills to the next level. That’s why you want to be sure that you’ve found an excellent tutor.

If you don’t know where to start, these 5 steps will help you:

 

1. Know your options

• Check out sites like Craigslist (“lessons & tutoring” category). Craigslist tutors are easy to find, often have availability and are usually the cheapest ones. But they have the least amount of vetting. In fact, anyone can post themselves as a tutor on Craigslist. So you should be extra careful about making sure that the tutor is fully qualified and matches your needs.

 

• Find a tutor through a tutoring company. Going with a company with a good reputation like TutorZ ensures you find qualified and trusted tutors. It’s also convenient because you can narrow the tutor search by subject, location, and preferred interaction (in person or online). When you’re looking for the right profile look very carefully at ratings and reviews. Reading about other students’ experiences makes it easier for you to pick a tutor who matches your requirements.

 

• Spread the Word. Ask for recommendations from friends, classmates and teachers. Finding a tutor through a friend gives you the benefit of receiving information from a trusted source. It’s important to get insights into a tutor’s personality, skills, teaching style and methods, etc.

 

2. Figure out what you need

• Motivation. Working with a private tutor is a great way to keep you focused, motivated and persistent.
• Organization. Students who have better organization habits often perform better on assignments, get more done, and have more free time than their disorganized peers.

• Confidence. Tutoring builds confidence through individualized attention and support. Confident students are better able to perform under pressure and respond to setbacks. Greater sense of confidence can help you maximize your potential – and get the most out of your courses.

• Better grades. A tutor cannot magically improve your grades but he or she will help you break down the material and gain a better understanding of it.

 

3. Ask questions

 

Before hiring a tutor, it’s important to first talk to him or her. Ask questions, such as:

• How much do you charge?
• How many students have you tutored?
• Were you able to help them improve their grades?
• Do you make individualized learning plans?
• Where will the tutoring take place?
• What are your qualifications?
• Do you have flexible teaching methods?

 

4. Consider costs

Hiring a tutor comes with a serious price tag. Private tutors charge from $25/hour to $100/hour, depending on professional experience and qualifications of a tutor, type of tutoring (one-on-one, group or online tutoring), subject, frequency of the sessions, and your location.

For instance, online tutoring tends to be cheaper than in-person tutoring because tutors don’t have to travel to their clients. Carefully compare rates and find the best tutor within your budget.

 

5. Set up a trial session

Ultimately, the only way to truly see whether a tutor is a good fit or not is to have the first, full tutoring session. Make sure the tutor has expertise in your particular subject, is a good communicator, and can effectively explain concepts to you. It will cost nothing as reputable tutors do not require you to pay for a trial session.

You know you’ve found an excellent tutor if he or she:

• Identifies your areas for improvement.
• Tailors teaching approach to your needs.
• Communicates in a way that makes you feel motivated, enthusiastic and confident.
• Believes and has faith that every student can learn.
• Has references from reputable sources.
• Makes learning easy, rewarding, and fun.

May Kacharava is a tutor, blogger with a zeal for teaching and learning. She works for TutorZ, tutoring marketplace that helps students find, rate and review tutors-https://www.tutorz.com

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8 Great YouTube Finance Channels for College Students

BY JANE HURST

 

As a college student, you need to learn to live within your means to prevent getting into a cycle of debt. The key to financial success is keeping track of how you spend money. You need figure out how to create a budget and stick to that. These eight YouTube Finance Channels will help you manage your money throughout your college career and beyond.

 

1. Hanging with Lee

Lee is also a college student, so his advice should hit home for you. He talks about everything from creating a workable budget to mastering proper grooming. Lee’s down-to-earth approach in advising you about budgeting and finances makes this channel both educational and entertaining to watch.

 

2. The Wild Wong

Wong has written books on finance and she offers quick, insightful suggestions for people trying to learn how to budget. Do you need to hire a tax pro? Wong will guide you through that. She also talks about a financial pyramid that will help you plan your budget. Also included is information about freelancing and money tips. If you want fast and good ideas, this is the channel for you.

 

3. Candice Marie

Candice talks about how to pay off debt quickly, which is important if you will be dealing with student loans. She also offers good tips on financing and becoming an entrepreneur. Candice talks frankly about debt and how she managed to become debt free. Her sage words of wisdom will appeal to college students and help guide them in their college careers.

 

4. My Fab Finance

This channel, recommended by finance experts like Earn2Trade, offers tips on how to create, stick to, and travel on a budget. So if you’re hoping to go on an adventure over your summer break, this is the perfect place to learn how to save money for your pending trip.

 

5. LaTisha Styles

LaTisha explains how to budget, both for personal finances and entrepreneurial ventures. She starts by talking about finding a skill and details the steps you’ll need to take to create your own business. Learning about creating both a personal budget as well as a business budget will certainly come in handy if you are planning to open your own business after college.

 

6. Life With Sarah

Sarah, whose videos offer tips and advice for budgeting, focuses on creating binders and notebooks. She also covers money-saving tips and offers a “questions and answers” section. So, if you are a student who thrives on being well-organized and could use a bit of help applying this to budgeting, this is the site for you.

 

7. Budget Girl

Budget Girl has walked the walk when it comes to debt. She is now debt free and wants to show you how to become debt free, also. She offers monthly budget reports, milestones, and tips for saving money. If you are not in debt, use this site as a cautionary tale. Follow her advice and you will remain debt free.

 

8. Well Kept Wallet

Deacon Hays want to tell you how to keep your money. Hays has videos about earning extra money to help keep you out of debt. He talks about creating a budget fast and developing a financial game plan. His site is full of ideas and tips to keep your money where it belongs – in your wallet.

 

Whether you are an incoming freshman or a graduating senior, these YouTube channels will offer good tips and information on maintaining a budget and living debt free. Both of those life skills will serve you on your path to your new career after college.

 

Byline:

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

 

Strategies To Use College For Success In Your Life Course

BY ANTON LUCANUS

 

College is an adventure. It is also a series of complex events that forces one to grow up, and grow up fast. So how does one get through those four years and come out the other side ready for the hard and fast world of adult life? Here are three recommendations for brand new college students on how to live responsibly in the world of university.

1. Pick Your Friends/Roommates Wisely

This has to be the hardest thing about college life, but it’s possible. Often times people come away from college with friends for life, or even a life partner. You want to be on the lookout for both – because you never know what’s around the bend. At the same time, you want to manage expectations. Everyone in college is insecure and struggling with a sense of self. Look for those people who will admit this and are open and vulnerable enough to share in your own insecurities and find out who you really are.

Translating these friendships into sane living situations can be even more difficult. Securing safe and steady accommodations during your college life can be one of the hardest aspects of these four years. As the age-old adage says: A good roommate is hard to find. When you’re on the hunt for a living situation, ask yourself and the people you are interviewing to live with a few questions, such as: Who is responsible for cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms? Do you have affordable renters insurance? You have to go with the grown-up questions as well as the friendly ones. At the end of the day, if these people end up friends for life, they will have answers to these questions and be totally comfortable with you asking them.

2. Get Outside Your Comfort Zone

At first it can be a security blanket to stay with and who you know–new students often try to find a niche in the social strata of college life, and stay in it. But at the end of these four years you’re going to have only one person you can rely on.  And that is yourself. Don’t get too caught up in on-campus drama. Find a way to make friends, and have a life off-campus, whether that be through a living situation, or making time for healthy off-campus activities. These are the years to experiment, to go against the grain of what you normally think, feel and do, and try new things. At the same time you want to stay within healthy bounds. Experiment, but experiment with wisdom and caution. Try a new sport. Learn a new language. Join a new group. Find a new hobby. You are a student not just in the classroom, but in the world as well. If you’re smart, you will graduate knowing this and therefore have a foundation that you can build an amazing life on: namely, that you are forever a student, and forever open to new opportunities, ideas and ways of thinking. And you’re comfortable knowing that.

3. Budgeting

 

Budgeting for college has become nonexistent. Students are expected to go into massive debt to cover the cost of tuition, books and accommodation. This assumption is fundamentally unhealthy – and untrue. With a little time, reigning in of expectations, and smart decisionmaking you can come out of college with minimal-to-no debt. So why don’t people actually do it? Because it’s hard. And it takes time.

Although ritzy schools look great on a résumé, they hold an inordinate amount of weight in your bank account. Think ahead: Do you want to be graduating with the debt the size of a mortgage? Start with community college and get a part or full-time job as you become more comfortable with your course load. If you continue to live at home, those two years for an associate’s degree can easily pass with no accumulation of debt. Those final two years can also pass debt-free as long as you continue work-study and use a few budget hacks to stay in control of what you spend. These can include: Using public transportation, living with roommates, etc.

What’s another major hack for saving throughout college?

Not falling for the “I have to have a brand new textbook” lie that professors and publishers tell students.

Textbooks alone can cost upwards of thousands of dollars. But this is no longer a day in age where paper is the only medium available to college consumers. Don’t be afraid to go off script with your textbook-buying. Even if the syllabus does ask for a specific edition, feel free to check in with one of your classmates in the class, or go into the library where a copy is usually available. The truth is there are few major difference between these editions. They are mostly billed as new versions to reap more profit for the publisher and author. And feel free to go digital: Often there are online versions of textbooks available for half the price.

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 educational fulfilment during college life. You can contact Anton via email at antonlucanus@gmail.com

 

 

5 Essential Skills That Complement Academic Study

BY MIKKI MILLS

Your resume might need to have some job-specific skills so that you can qualify for an interview. However, this may vary across industries depending on the target role or sector. It may include some prior experience or relevant industry qualification. Nonetheless, there are so many other skills that today’s graduates need to thrive in the ever-competitive labor market. Over time, it has become crucial to stay current with globalization, digital transformation, and trends in the modern workplaces. Learning in-demand skills such as engaging clients on social media and coding can make a huge difference. In fact, some of these skills can open up a gap in your other sets of expertise and enable a candidate to stand out from a crowd of applicants competing for the same job. Here are five essential skills that every college student should focus on to cut through the competitive labor market.

Creativity and Motivation

Companies need to be disruptive and creative to keep pace with technological trends, business needs, and economic changes. Otherwise, it might be a nightmare to reap the benefits of machine learning technology and survive the ongoing industrial revolution. One of the strengths of a college graduate should be the capacity to think critically, adapt to changes, and flexibility. A graduate should be able to suggest new ways of beating the competition, improving efficiency, and increasing brand visibility to remain an invaluable asset to a business.

Coding Skills

Web development vs software development skills brings all employers to the yard. In fact, coding skills rule nearly all business processes. As such, it’s crucial to learn CSS and HTML to stand out from the crowd. The value that coding brings to college students can’t be overlooked.

Soft Skills

Over time, soft skills such as work ethic and self-motivation have become increasingly in-demand. As the world moves toward a less stuffy and more social working environment, skills such as positivity and teamwork will make a huge difference. These are some of the qualities that employers will be looking in their potential candidates in the future. Soft skills are no longer just for communication-based jobs. Even people applying for technical roles will require in-demand soft skills at some point. More and more employees will work remotely as new technologies such as flexibility and mobility invade the workplace. In fact, traditional workplaces might soon become obsolete. As such, remote workers will need skills such as self-motivation to collaborate with others and manage their schedule.

Social Media Skills

The social media revolution has transformed nearly all business processes ranging from customer service to recruitment. As such, employers want to hire people who can use social media to build brand image, market products, and services, and engage potential customers. College students should leverage various online platforms such as website and social media to amplify their voice. Moreover, marketing professionals can use social media analytics to understand client base and evaluate performance. As such, the ability to use various social media features is a must-have tool in today’s data-driven age. Whether you are an engineering or marketing student, your social media skills will suggest to potential employers that you are a strategic and pragmatic thinker. In fact, marketing students can use Facebook or Twitter to derive actionable insights and turn that data into useful strategies.

Communication Skills

Fluency in several languages can be a game changer in today’s increasingly globalized world. Students who combine their understanding of different cultural contexts with their international experience will go a long way. Multilingualism will grow in importance over time. College students also needs to know how to carry on a conversation and learn to listen attentively and maintain eye contact. While the prevalence of social networking platforms has enabled students to connect seamlessly, they have lessened their ability to communicate via phone or face-to-face. Communication skills will be not only essential in school but also for future endeavors.

Mikkie is a freelance writer from Chicago. She has a passion for advanced learning, reading, and health and fitness. She is also a mother of two who loves sharing her ideas on education, learning, health, fitness and yoga. When she’s not writing, she’s chasing the little ones around or can be found at the local climbing gym or doing yoga.

 

 

Get Smarter: 8 Simple Hacks To Enhance Your Mental Effectiveness

BY EMMA BONNEY

Being smarter is everyone’s dream! But what if you got to know that it is absolutely in your hands if you want to improve your brain power? Yes, with the help of these easy hacks you can actually improve make yourself smarter.

Solve puzzles

Just like exercise makes our body stronger, our brain needs some exercise too, in order to develop its strength and power. There are a number of puzzles and games that will challenge your brain and sharpen its power by acting as exercises for the brain. Make it a habit of spending time on these brain exercises which help you enhance your brain power.

Get rid of distractions

While most of us love to claim that we are excellent at multitasking, the reality is often not so. What we end up doing in the name of multitasking is basically getting distracted by a number of things, thereby ending up remembering nothing substantial. Concentrate on what is important and discard the unnecessary information if you want to retain better.

Improve your lifestyle

An unhealthy diet and lifestyle can effectively reduce your brain’s power immensely. Therefore, it is a good idea to start working on improving your lifestyle. For starters, include healthy and brain boosting food in your diet. Also start yourself on a regime of exercise and meditation to improve your brain health and power immensely.

Sleep well

A good night’s sleep is essential for the brain cells to rest and regenerate. The lack of proper undisturbed sleep can cause the brain to be fatigued and exhausted, thereby reducing its strength. A healthy human being needs about 6 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep on a regular basis. Therefore, for a stronger brain, it is important to ensure a regular sleep schedule.

Organise

Not only is having an organised life therapeutic and good for mental health, it is also excellent for a strong brain power and memory. Psychology says that once you get hold of the reigns of your life and organise it effectively, it is bound to improve your retention and brain power. Keep your day to day life organised. If necessary make charts and schedules to keep your life and mind clutter free, thereby improving your brain’s capabilities.

Be open to learning

Just because you are not a student doesn’t mean you have to stop studying. Make it a habit to explore new things every day, be it reading up a new book or watching an informative documentary. Taking up new information or experiencing new things on a regular basis boosts your brain’s ability to grasp new information, process and retain it better.

Learn to keep calm

Emotions such as stress, grief, panic etc. reduce your brain’s ability to function to its best potential, thereby hampering your brainpower. In order to prevent this, it is important to learn how to keep yourself calm.

Introduce caffeine in your life

Caffeine is an excellent brain booster. It enhances alertness and improves the brain’s ability to process information better. Introduction of a cup of coffee or supplements such as Nespresso compatible capsules will go a long way in improving your brain’s power.

Make these changes to your life and become smarter as well as healthier.

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.

 

USA Needs More High School/ College Dual Enrollment

Let’s Build a Dual-Enrollment Culture Kevin P. Chavous, RealClearEducation As millions of high school students walk across graduation stages this time of year, many motivated graduates have already earned college credit. In exceptional cases, some have even completed a college degree. All this was made possible by schools and parents who encouraged them to participate in dual enrollment.In a majority of schools across the country, students now have the opportunity to register for dual enrollment, take college-level classes, and earn high school and college credits simultaneously. More often than not, students can enroll in these classes without ever leaving their…

What you can do this summer to improve your chances of a job upon graduation

BY MELISSA BURNS

Times, when any college graduate was sure to get a job, are long past; with the job market today being what it is, the earlier you start thinking and, better yet, doing something about your future employment, the higher your chances of getting a position you like. Whether you are a freshman or a final year student, summer is the perfect time to do something extra to ensure your future employment, as there is more free time and you generally have a less constrained schedule. So what can you do this summer?

1.    Get an Internship

Students are often unwilling to take internships because they are afraid they will be stuck performing menial (and often unpaid) tasks, treated condescendingly and in general not receive their due. However, internships don’t necessarily have to pay in cash or even credits. They provide enough benefits of their own: they teach you time management skills, you get real work experience, build up your professional network, add to your resume, and it all serves as building blocks for your future career. Even if you aren’t paid a dime for your work, you significantly increase the chances of getting employment in future. If you demonstrate decent skills, you may even secure employment in a company you’ve been temping for.

2.    Volunteer

Spending a summer volunteering may not be as relaxing as staying at an Alaska fishing lodge, but it is indeed more productive for your future employment. First of all, it looks good on your resume and helps fill in glaring employment gaps. Doing volunteering work demonstrates ambition and readiness for new experiences; it enables you to obtain new skills (project and team management, social skills), find new contacts that may come in handy later on and in general, gives you additional self-confidence.

3.    Learn a Language

Well, a summer certainly won’t be enough to master a new language, but from now on you will rarely have so much free time in bulk. If you choose what studies you want to pursue and make an energetic move in that direction you can lay a solid foundation to build on at your leisure later on. Sign up for an intensive course, join a language immersion program, or go to a foreign country for a few months. Your main goal is to overcome entry-level hurdles – it is the most difficult part of learning any language. After you acquire basic competencies, you can study on with less intensity. After you manage to pass an exam of any level in your chosen language, it will look perfect on your resume.

4.    Get a Smart Part-Time Job

Part-time jobs are an age-old tradition for college students, but waiting tables or flipping burgers won’t move you much closer to landing that much-desired position you’ve been thinking about. If you want your part-time job to be something more than a way to earn a few extra bucks for current expenses, you should set smart goals and choose smart positions. Find an entry-level job that is in any way relevant to the industry you intend to work in, learn the necessary skills, and show that you qualify. In addition to improving your resume, it will give you the real experience of what it is like to work in this industry, and you’ll see whether you really want it.

Students today should start preparing for their future jobs long before they graduate from college – even the first year isn’t too early. And the earlier you understand that summer isn’t the time to relax but to further improve your chances, the more likely you are to land your dream job.

Melissa Burns graduated from the faculty of Journalism of Iowa State University. Nowadays she is an entrepreneur and independent journalist. Follow her @melissaaburns or contact at burns.melissaa@gmail.com

 

 

Is Grad School for You?

BY ANTHONY MASTERTON

It’s a big question: what comes after college? Some people join companies, others start companies, and some go straight to graduate school. But how does someone decide if they’re going to need more than a bachelor’s degree to meet their professional and personal goals? And how does someone balance those goals against practical considerations like balancing debt vs. income? Advanced degree programs can be academically intense, making them hard to pursue while working on a career or trying to get a startup off the ground (although that doesn’t stop hundreds of thousands of people from managing it every year).

If you’re considering grad school, ask yourself the following five questions.

 

1. Does your target career require a graduate degree?

One of the most sensible things to do before you start signing up for placement exams (GRE, GMAT, LSAT, etc.), is to look at job postings–and their requirements–for your occupation. For instance, if you want to provide guidance to high school students, then guess what? Most schools will want you to first obtain a master’s in school counseling, as well as some relevant experience – experience that you’ll need to plan for while still in school. In this case, you’d want to check out local education markets to see if there are good opportunities near any of the graduate schools you might attend. Geographic location is a bigger factor for experience-building than you might guess. It’s also important to consider how competitive the market will be in that location. Some schools may be desperate for counselors, while in other places the supply will far outstrip the demand.

 

2. What kind of doors do you want opened over time?

A few years ago, The New York Times reported that 2 in 25 people over age 25 have a master’s degree. It’s true that returning to school can become more popular during economic downturns, but that’s not the only factor behind what some experts call “credential inflation.” Year after year, having a bachelor’s degree is becoming more of a base requirement for jobs than a real differentiator. Keep in mind that, in the corporate world especially, there are jobs that won’t seriously consider candidates who don’t have at least a master’s degree (especially jobs beyond a certain level of management). On the other hand, if you are more likely to be starting a company on your own (or joining a startup), a higher-level degree will function more as a general credibility builder; not having one won’t necessarily keep you from moving forward (although having one could certainly make things easier).

 

3. Are you able to commit the time?

Getting a master’s degree can be an excellent decision for those in career fields that really require it (like the career field of speech pathology), but signing up for another two (or more) years of school isn’t a decision to make lightly. If you are a little hesitant about committing the time, remember to explore your class-structure options.  Many reputable schools offer online degrees that allow you to go to work during the day and take care of your classwork at night, which can mean less disruption in your day-to-day life. Other post-college options for learning key materials and gaining experience in your field include internships and apprenticeships, which are usually shorter than a grad program and can segué directly into full-time jobs. Depending on your goals, these may be a better fit.

 

4. Can you afford it?

While some programs may provide you with scholarships or financial assistance, graduate degrees rarely come free-of-cost. If you are one of the many people who already has student loan debt, it can be daunting to sign up for even more, especially with a rapidly-changing job market. According to one estimate, about 70 percent of students graduate with some debt, and in a survey, most people said they don’t anticipate paying off all that debt until they’re in their 40s. Graduate degrees are typically more expensive than undergraduate degrees, which means they take longer to clear. That doesn’t mean grad school can’t be the right decision for you, but it does mean you should develop a strong plan for how you will manage additional debt. Of course, with many grad programs, you have the opportunity to work as a graduate assistant, research assistant, or teaching assistant. These opportunities can offer you major tuition breaks, although you will have to be conscious of managing your time and energy.

 

5. Do you have a backup plan?

If you get partway through graduate school and realize it isn’t for you, you don’t have the time, or you aren’t comfortable with the cost/benefit tradeoffs, you need to have a backup plan. Before you undertake something as time-consuming and costly as graduate school, think through an exit strategy. This is a helpful exercise if you are completely set on graduate school, because you’ll take inventory of all your options. When life gets intense, sometimes just knowing you have options can alleviate pressure and keep you moving forward.

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 most impactful to learn from experience.