Must Have Software Every Student Should Know How to Use

BY DAVID GUTIERREZ

Today it is hard to imagine how students managed to deal with their immense workloads before computers became as ubiquitous as they are today. However, even if you actively use your PC for your everyday studying activities, chances are you don’t utilize its full potential. Here is the list of software tools that can further improve your efficiency and safety of your data.

1.    LibreOffice

Office software is certainly among the most crucial tools for a student, and the first one that comes to mind is most likely Microsoft Office. However, it has one significant drawback – it is quite expensive, especially if you take into account that most students hardly use more than 5 percent of its functionality. LibreOffice is a completely free and just as powerful alternative. Even if you have been using MS Office for your entire life, switching to it is no problem – its interface is slightly different in design, but that’s about all.

2.    R-Studio

We all know that it is important to make regular backups of our most vital data – hard drives fail and tend to do so at the least opportune moments. However, in reality, most of us tend to forget about it until it is too late. And there is hardly any less pleasant situation than having a huge assignment you’ve spent weeks or even months on wiped out due to hard drive failure or a power outage during the system update. R-Studio is a powerful tool aimed at solving this problem – in addition to simply restoring lost data, it is capable of even more impressive feats like encrypted disk recovery – even if your OS has been installed over an encrypted file system, there is a good chance that your data can be restored with its help.

3.    Acronis True Image

If you want to be even more protected from data loss, you can eliminate the element of randomness and human forgetfulness from your backups. Acronis True Image makes backup creation routine to be as easy as possible, allowing you to set the folders you want to be backed up, define how often you want it to be done and leave the rest to it.

4.    Cold Turkey Blocker

A PC is not just an awesome tool but a source of endless distractions as well. We all know this feeling: you have a huge, intimidating and extremely boring assignment to do and keep on finding pretexts to take a peek at this or that website just for a couple of minutes before you start… only to find out two hours later that you are watching your 43^rd cat video on YouTube. Cold Turkey Blocker is excellent for students who have trouble dealing with procrastination: it simply prevents you from visiting your favorite time-waster websites while you work. The paid version can even block applications.

5.    OneNote

Whatever discipline you study you are going to spend a lot of time doing, reviewing, analyzing and recompiling your notes. OneNote makes all related activities fast, easy and comfortable. In addition to that, it can serve as a sort of hub for all your work and shared files: you can attach articles to review them later on and share your notes with your fellow students to discuss some points. It has mobile versions, which means that your notes will always be at hand wherever you are.

There are, of course, hundreds of other useful software tools that can make students’ life easier, more comfortable and enjoyable, but these five can serve as an excellent foundation of your toolset – feel free to add to them as you like

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

 

Good news for C students and English majors – tech jobs are for you, too, study says

By Carolyn Jones, EdSource

Too many students think ‘STEM is only for the smartest of the smart,’ while millions of jobs go unfilled.   Read more

5 Easy Steps for Student Success in IT Career

BY SYLVIA KOHL

IT jobs are certainly among the most promising and desired careers of our time, and this trend isn’t likely to let up any time soon. Even if you don’t intend to be a programmer or web developer, a certain degree of expertise in this area is going to help a lot – with every passing year, other industries get more and more dependent on information technology. So what should a student do to ensure his success in IT? Let’s find out.

1.    Choose Courses with Focus on Employability

If you intend to work in IT, ideally you should have some idea of what exactly you want to do. As long as you don’t plan to pursue an academic career (and if you read this article you probably don’t), you should limit your choices to courses making emphasis on practical methods of learning. Pay attention to the ones that include numerous practical projects, placements to work for real clients and other opportunities to obtain real-life work experience. It will help you lay a solid foundation for your future career.

2.    Supplement Your Studies with Online Courses

IT is an incredibly volatile and rapidly developing area of expertise, and college courses often lag behind the actual developments it undergoes (traditional education is in general slow to adapt to changes in the environment). It means that if you want to keep abreast of the industry, you should take matters into your own hands and sign up for additional courses. There are many online services like SkillsBuild that provide high-quality training in current IT skills.

3.    Get a Strong and Broad Foundation in Computer Sciences

Even if you have a clear idea of what kind of career you want to pursue, don’t be in a hurry to get deep into this discipline. You may find yourself halfway through a course you that don’t want to finish after all, and that isn’t of much use for other branches of the industry. Before you dive deep into anything specific, specialists in IT always recommend getting a solid grounding in general computer sciences. It will make it easier to understand how things work and make an informed choice of your future career later on.

4.    Obtain Necessary Non-Technical (or “Soft”) Skills

Technical skills aren’t the only area of knowledge an IT specialist should be excellent at. There is a host of other competencies you are going to need: project management, interpersonal communication, ability to work well in a team and so on. Employers highly value all of them, and if you concentrate solely on acquiring technical skills, you may find yourself lagging behind competitors who are just better at communication.

5.    Participate in IT Competitions

The best way to test your skills and force yourself to grow is to set yourself against the best, both among your peers and throughout the industry. All kinds of computer science competitions, both local and large-scale, are held every year, and you should try to find a way into every one that deals with your area of the industry. They are useful not just for testing your abilities and challenging your limits – they look good on CV as well.

6.    Join a CTE Program

Career and Technical Education programs may have been in decline for the last few decades, but they don’t deserve to be forgotten. They provide practical skills currently in demand on the job market and give you a chance to land a good job soon after completing them. The best CTE programs are directly connected with employers and even allow you to transfer credits to community college, giving you a much-needed boost in case you decide to pursue a degree. If you are in doubt, remember that CTE participation means higher wages, especially if you proceed beyond introductory courses.

7.    Career Pathways Movement

Career Pathways Movement is based on the idea that everybody needs additional education beyond high school but that it doesn’t necessarily have to be a 4-year college degree. CPM is meant to provide high school graduates with an easier entry point into middle-skill vocations, with IT fields constituting a significant part of them. President’s last year executive order drastically increased the number of apprenticeships – the primary instrument of CTM – giving you a much better chance of getting one than it was previously possible. Apprenticeships are also getting more and more connected with the community and technical colleges, giving students an opportunity to start planning their future careers at an early stage.

If you intend to pursue a career in IT, there are good and bad news for you. The good news is that even if you don’t have special academic education in this area, you have a chance to obtain the necessary skills through practice and online courses. The bad news is that information technology is an area of expertise that requires your entire attention and calls for constant self-improvement – if you want to be good at it, you have to work on yourself all the time. We hope that these tips will help you determine your way.

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

 

 

Summer Melt: One Third of Fall College-Bound Students Do Not Make It to Campus

 

From USA Department Of Education

Graduation is one of the most exciting times in the life of a school counselor, but as tempting as it is to look at graduation as the end of a school counselor’s work with a class, the exact opposite is true, especially for students heading to college.  An astonishing number of students who walk across Continue Reading

International Conferences Can Improve your Writing A Lot

BY LINDA ANDERSON

Conferences are a great place to not only learn new things and hone your skills but also to meet others who are from the same craft as you are. Something that is important in a student life as it eventually helps to you connect to more people, build professional contacts and even help you out big time when you are left with the responsibility to plan one for your institution. “Attending top writing, event planner or marketing conferences will connect you to business professionals and transform your business growth.” says Jessica Stewart, Vice President, Marketing, EMRG Media.

Here are some of the top international writing conferences you should look out for in your student life:

1. San Francisco Writers Conference

Held annually in San Francisco, United States of America, this is a must-attend conference with over a hundred sessions, workshops, and panels which is excellent to hone your skills as a writer and experiment with all varieties of writing genres. From writing to publishing to everything in between this is your one-stop destination for an intellectually stimulating experience.

2. The Geneva Writers’ Conference

This internationally acclaimed conference which is held biennially in Geneva, Switzerland boasts of several excellent writing workshops, panels, writing labs and sessions. Peppered with an equal amount of fun as The Geneva Writers’ Conference hosts bookshop coffee sessions and the cocktail meet, which is something all writers must look forward to!

3. The London Book Fair

Held in London, United Kingdom, this highly awaited event is one of a kind and you should absolutely never miss it. As they say, “The London Book Fair is the global marketplace for rights negotiation and the sale and distribution of content across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels.”

4. The Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival

This conference is held annually in Vancouver and it hosts poets, authors, publishers and their readers from all over the world. This six-day long saga celebrates the art of writing and is a perfect place for everyone who wants to soak in the brilliance of writing and reading world.

5. International Conference on Books, Publishing and Libraries

If you are looking for some serious inspiration, be it for writing or managing a conference, this London-based international conference is the place to be. Started since 2003, it has been attracting a crowd of some serious literature lovers from across the globe, making it a hot spot for anyone looking for some good old-world charm of books, publishing and libraries.

6. Canterbury Arts Conference

This ancient place, which is already famous in English literature, holds an excellent international conference for the lovers of literature and the art of writing. Hosting authors from all over the world, it is a mind-blowing event that one has to attend to understand its magnitude and power!

7. NonfictionNOW

While most of the conferences are based on all forms of literature or fiction, this unique literary conference focuses on non-fiction. Held in Reykjavik, Iceland, this conference hosts a number of non-fiction authors, readers, teachers and students who participate in various enriching sessions. If you are someone who gets easily engrossed in the charm of fantasy writing, then this is a must-attend conference for you.

8. Melbourne Writers Festival

Created and managed extremely efficiently, this Australian international conference explores the art of literature through storytelling sessions, house discussions and debates. It also hosts a number of educational programs along with live performance of music and various art forms.

9. Africa Century International African Writers Conference

This South Africa based international conference explores the literary culture of the continent and its development and progress. It plays host to prominent African authors as well authors and readers from all over the world.

10. San Miguel Writers’ Conference and Literary Festival

The beautiful country of Mexico takes its literature seriously and this excellent conference is the proof of that. Held in San Miguel de Allende it plays host to some of the top writers as well as budding writers who are yet to have an established literary career along with excited fans of writing.

11. Bread Loaf in Sicily Writers’ Conference

Well however hungry the name gets you this conference is actually more about writing than food! This conference is extremely exclusive and coveted as the attendance to this event is limited to only five groups of maximum six participants.

12. Jaipur Literature Festival

The quaint city of Jaipur comes to life every year as it hosts a number of brilliant authors from all over the world and readers who play an equally crucial and stimulating role in this beautiful literature festival.

13. The Bookworm Literary Festival

A celebration of literature and art, this international writers’ conference is held in Beijing and it plays host to some of the most talented Asian and international authors of the world. It is a true literary delight for anyone in academics.

14. Strokestown International Poetry Festival

Dedicated exclusively to poetry, this Irish event is unique and enriching. Every year, poets from all over the world flock to this picturesque country as it hosts its poetry festival. A large number of budding poets also join the frenzy to meet their idols as well as to learn the craft of poetry.

15. When Words Collide

This beautifully named conference which is held in Calgary, Canada focusses mainly on works of fiction. Every year it boasts of a number of writers, editors, publishers and of course writers who make this event a grand success.

Conferences are an integral part of an academician’s life. Thus, it is a good idea to attend these for enriching ideas as well as to learn how to organize one for your institution. While the best event planning conferences will guide you through the process of organizing a successful conference attending one, on the other hand, will give you a hands-on understanding. With the help of both, you can learn the ropes easily.

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.

Scared of Talking in Class? 3 Ways To Increase Participation  

 

BY DARINA MURASHEV

As a college student, you’re going to consistently find yourself in unfamiliar situations that will challenge you as an individual. And though it may feel uncomfortable at times, this is among the most important aspects of your education. As you transition from school into grad school or the job market, you’ll continue to find yourself being challenged in similar ways, whether that means adjusting to new rules, taking on new levels of responsibility, or simply accepting that you won’t always be at the very top of the social ladder.

While it’s a natural part of the human experience, don’t let social anxiety stand in the way of your success inside or outside the classroom.

Introverts, Extroverts, and Social Anxiety

The types of transitions common throughout the college experience are often accompanied by social anxieties. Despite popular opinion, social anxieties are not defining characteristics of introverted personalities. If you’ve spent most of your education studying literature, you may encounter a situation where you feel uncomfortable asking questions in a new math class. If you’re in an engineering program, you may feel nervous about whether or not you studied hard enough previously to keep afloat in the next series.

The anxiety triggered by these types of events isn’t exclusive to introverts or extroverts. However, these groups tend to react to these feelings differently. Introverts that normally feel comfortable studying alone may feel pressured to reach out to others for help. Extroverts that are typically at the center of class activity may stop feeling confident about speaking out or start talking nervously. In either case—introverted or extroverted—putting yourself at the center of attention, even for just a moment, may seem out of reach. This can have a significant impact on your education, perhaps making it difficult to get the information that you need in order to be successful.

Tips and Tricks for Speaking Out and Participating

It’s happened to everyone: You’re sitting in class diligently taking notes and you look out the window for what seems to be no more than a second or two. However, when you turn back around you realize that you’re lost. You know that you can raise your hand to get clarification, you understand that’s even expected, but instead you feel frozen because you’re worried about looking foolish.

Do not lose heart. Here are some tips that can help you navigate social anxiety issues as they come up throughout your college experience—and beyond!

• Try not to panic. While easier said than done, remembering not to panic is imperative in these situations. Take a few deep breaths and refocus on the situation you are in—you’ll be amazed by how helpful a few deep breaths can be. If you are prone to these types of panics, take a few moments to mentally prepare before class.
• Reassure yourself. It’s okay to ask questions and contribute to discussions in class. While you’re preparing, take some time to acknowledge that you’re probably going to need to speak out at some time during class, and that is perfectly normal.
• Encourage others. Maybe you have something great to say, but you’re having trouble finding the words. That doesn’t mean you can’t participate in a discussion. When someone else makes a great point, let them know it. This can relieve the pressure you’ve placed on yourself to speak while helping to push the conversation in a useful direction.
• Prepare for the next class. If you didn’t get to ask a question or join the class discussion like you wanted to, that’s okay. Try writing down your questions and ideas so you are ready to bring them up in the future. You can also try engaging a more intimate group of classmates about it later.
• Set goals. Are you concerned about your level of participation? Set incremental goals that you can work on over the course of a semester. Start small and work your way up so it’s easy to see your personal progress unfold.
• Fake it till you make it. It’s a cliché for a reason. If you still don’t feel comfortable participating, it’s ok. Keep practicing and eventually it will begin to feel more natural.

Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Help

It is worth noting that American culture is primarily built around rewarding extroverted behavior, and that system places some significant costs on the social structure (not to mention extra pressure on introverts). Regardless, remember that social anxiety is universal to introverts, extroverts, and everyone in between.

Broadly speaking, a small amount of occasional anxiety isn’t something to be concerned about. However, if your anxieties start to recur frequently, last for long periods of time, or consistently interfere with your ability to function normally, seek the guidance of a mental health professional that can help make your anxieties manageable.

 

By Darina Murashev

Darina Murashev is a freelance writer from Chicago based in Salt Lake City. She writes about tech, moving, career building and finance. She enjoys travel, live music, and spending time in the great outdoors.

 

 

Enrolling in college: from the application to financial aid

BY ANTON LUCANUS

In the 1990s, college students prepared for college in a vastly different way than college students do in 2018. There were no laptops required for classes. Notes were taken on notebook paper, with pencils and pens and highlighters and post-it notes. Cell phones didn’t have FaceTime. Mom had to come to campus to see her college kid. Registration was done in a registrar’s office full of other students, because there were no online webpages to select and confirm classes. Computers had to be rented in the computer lab to write papers or print homework and rarely appeared inside dorms like laptops do today. Google Scholar didn’t exist to do research, but the librarians were more than happy to spend hours helping compile those tricky sources. There was no way to contact a professor, other than attending office hours. Spotify didn’t play music at parties, but remix CDs kept them just as loud. Today, all of those things are different and have changed and will continue to differ and change.

 

In the 1990s, a college degree weighed heavier than it does today. A high school diploma landed an 18 year- old a job that paid more than enough to get by. Top level jobs could be fulfilled with a four- year degree. Today, not so much. A four-year degree is the new requirement for basic entry-level positions. Even experience in a field isn’t enough to land a job today. Figuring out which college to attend is the first step in the long process to making it there. Tuition costs, scholarships that are available, financial aid packages that are offered by the university, dorm fees for living in dorms on campus, graduation rates, transfer rates, length of time for the average student to obtain a Bachelor’s degree, class and campus size, athletic clubs or teams, majors offered, and location of a college are just some of the different topics to think about before choosing a college. Partnering with friends, family, school counselors, and teachers will ensure that the questions to those answers and major decisions are discovered before it’s too late to apply or accept an offer of admission.

 

Once a university accepts an application of admission, there are various steps before enrollment and the beginning of classes. Financial aid and scholarships must be taken into consideration to determine the out-of-pocket cost that a university will run each year. These estimates are sent along with or shortly thereafter an acceptance of admission letter. The cost of education is the top concern for college aged- students and their parents. It is a tough decision to make, whether to take on the debt for the education or find a cheaper school to settle for. Whatever decision, once the acceptance letter comes in and a final decision has been made, visit the campus- even if it’s the second or third visit. Make sure that this is the correct decision and after the visit is over, send in the formal acceptance of admission offer.

In the remaining months before it’s time to pack the car and move out, there will be shopping lists and gifts to open. In 2018, technology changes what seems like every few months. There are Pinterest lists to guide the packing process and advice from older college aged friends to help it go by smoothly. Essentials needed are the obvious: clothes for different seasons, shoes, a backpack that carries the expensive books that classes will require, shampoo and conditioner, decorations for those bare and atrocious walls, and more. Technology also means more money for technologically advanced products, like noise-cancelling headphones for long nights spent writing papers, a laptop lock, a portable charger to keep your laptop on throughout those long days, a cell phone signal booster for those spots on campus and in the dorm rooms where service seems to be nonexistent, and more. A master list broken up into categories will help keep the process of packing somewhat organized.

 

After the packing is completed and has been sitting in the living room corner for days on end, it’ll be time to go. Whether a plane ride hours away or a car ride to the next town over, the travel to campus will feel endless. Unpacking will take hours, and may include climbing up a lot of stairs in the late summer heat, but once it’s all there, the next stage of life will begin. Parents will leave, siblings will feel heart pangs about parting, roommates and dorm resident assistants will chatter and make small talk. In a few days, classes will begin again and summer will end. All of the preparation over the last six months will bring relief in the form of naps, Netflix, and welcome week activities. Friends will be made, parties will be busted, and the college life will really start.

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

 

 

Ideas To Improve College Science Teaching And Learning

.BY EMMA BONNEY

Thanks to the advancements brought about by modern science and technology, we are living in the future! From smartphones to high end medical gadgets to space exploration to robotics, the entire world is witnessing a revolution of scientific breakthroughs. In this ethos of constant and ground-breaking developments, it’s imperative that we work extra hard to improve the education system to make science more palatable for our next generation.

Introducing interactive classroom teaching

When it comes it science it’s time that we realize science simply cannot be taught out of just a textbook! It is a vibrant and exciting subject which needs much more than monotonous lectures and exams. This is where modern technology can come to rescue. With the help of various interactive and engaging e-learning tools classroom sessions can be made way more interesting and exciting for both students and teachers. With the integration of technology lessons can be imparted more effectively. Moreover, it is not possible to demonstrate various concepts and experiments owing to the lack of equipment or practicality which can be viewed using technology, thus, giving the students a real feel of the subject.

Practical along with theoretical lessons

Those theory classes can get incredibly boring. Poring over a textbook trying to understand complex circuits or carbon structures can make science seem like an excruciatingly difficult subject. Therefore, it is important to lay adequate stress on practical classes and laboratory sessions which improve the learning experience of students. Be it a simple identification of the structures of a leaf to complex chemical reactions to the construction of a simple motor, everything can be learned in a more effective manner if the students are given the opportunity to experience and experiment with these concepts first hand.

Science camps

Schools should organise science camps and fairs which demonstrate exciting experiments and projects in order to make science fun and approachable for kids. Science is often viewed as something quite difficult, serious and definitely not easy. It is important to break these stereotypes to get more and more young boys and girls interested to study, love and actively participate in science. We need to get this generation of children excited about science the way scientists like Bill Nye did in their times. It is important to encourage the pursuit of science outside the curriculum so that students can explore and appreciate the magic of science.

Encouragement to pursue beyond syllabus

What is often lacking from our academic system is that students are so bound to exams and grades their curiosity is often curbed. If a student walks up to their science teacher and wants to talk about anything outside the syllabus be it the clamp on flow meter or advanced Nano technology, it is important that teachers should try to encourage the quest for knowledge in every way possible! If the teachers are not qualified enough to give adequate support on that particular topic, they can refer the student to someone or some material which can satiate their curiosity, which can be of immense help in the advancement of science.

Science is the step stool to a more advanced future. With each moment we see better and more revolutionary scientific researches and revolutionary developments in technology which are committed to making the quality of life better. This makes it important that we work on our education system in order to get younger minds to explore and understand science better. This will help us raise a generation of relentless and challenging scientific minds.

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.

Health Risks Every College Student Should Know

BY MELISSA BURNS

College is a time for meeting new people, going through new experiences and generally having a hell of a good time. However, it is not all fun and games, as endless health risks constantly surround students: disease, stress, unhealthy habits that can have long-term effects on your well-being, you name it. In this article, we will go over some of the most common health problems you are likely to face.

1.    Infectious Diseases

College involves working and living with groups of numerous other people in closed environments, which is a natural breeding ground for all kinds of infections, starting with a common cold and flu and ending with meningitis and antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus. Some are just unpleasant, and others pose serious health and life risks (meningitis, for example, can lead to permanent brain damage and disability).

What to do about it? Get vaccinated. Some colleges outright require it before you can move into the dorm, but even if your college doesn’t, you owe it to yourself and your health to take care of it on your own.

2.    Freshman 15

Freshman 15 refers to quick and catastrophic weight gain often experienced by college students during their first year. It doesn’t have to be exactly 15 pounds, but facts are facts: after starting to live independently from their parents, most people immediately have their eating habits slide. Fast food, carbohydrate-rich dishes usually available in cafeterias and, of course, copious amounts of booze all make their contribution.

Ways of dealing with it are obvious: try eating something besides pizzas and French fries, say no to carbonated drinks and don’t try to drink all the beer in the world. Learning a few healthy lifestyle habits won’t hurt either.

3.    Poor Sleep

With all the partying and catching up on studies at the last moment, you are likely to pull all-nighters now and then, and there is nothing particularly life-threatening in it – as long as it happens only occasionally and doesn’t turn into a habit. However, if you spend most of your night up and about and catch up on sleep during lectures, you are not just going to annoy your professors but risk ruining your sleep for years to come. All habits acquired at this period of life are extremely difficult to get rid of later on, so try to develop sleeping habits that are going to help you in future: have enough sleep, maintain regular sleeping and waking schedule (including weekends), don’t eat before bedtime and so on.

4.    Lack of Exercise

Even if you exercised regularly throughout high school, when you get started in a college you are likely to have all your routines and habits disrupted. Although most colleges provide excellent opportunities for exercise, many students feel too busy to bother with it. However, having at the very least 90 minutes of physical exercise a week can do wonders to increase your general alertness and mental acuity, making you all the more capable of dealing with stresses of student life. Decreased risk of obesity and heart disease go without saying.

5.    Alcohol-Related Injuries

Although binge drinking is indeed not the healthiest habit out there, alcohol itself isn’t as dangerous as poor judgment it entails. About 1,800 American students die every year from alcohol-related injuries – that is, in accidents where inebriation played or could have played some role.

The only way to prevent it, apparently, is to drink responsibly – and to avoid people who cannot or don’t want to follow this rule.

Take measures to protect yourself from these risks, and your time in college is much more likely to be mostly good memories!

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

 

8 Considerations for College-Aged Entrepreneurs

BY LORRAINE McKINNEY

You don’t have to wait until you graduate from college to start your own business. Today, many college students are successfully juggling entrepreneurship and coursework, enabling them to pay off college debts and start building a post-grad nest egg.

Of course, building a business while still in school isn’t something to be taken lightly. If you’re feeling that entrepreneurial itch, take these factors into consideration before starting.

 

1. Know Your Priorities – How organized, ambitious and practical are you? To run a successful business while still in school, you’ll need to be all three. It’s critical to carefully prioritize your academic and business responsibilities so nothing falls through the cracks. Always keep the bigger picture in focus.

 

2. Pick Appropriate Courses – If you plan on continuing your business after graduation, choose courses that are related to your business goals. Select classes based on subject matter, expert professors, and others who share similar objectives. Pick what will give you the best business foundation and help you meet like-minded individuals.

 

3. Use School Resources – Colleges have all kinds of free resources that you can use when starting a business. These services include school-sponsored entrepreneurship events, free wifi, online assistance, and school libraries, just to name a few. Of course, you should also take advantage of networking with your business department professors, who have a wealth of savvy business information to share, from launching a startup to formalizing a business continuity plan.

 

4. Connect with Students – In addition to picking your professors’ brains, be sure to network with your fellow students. Who knows, you may even meet that perfect business partner for your start-up. And, likely, you’ll need to hire a few students to help with tasks ranging from printing/distributing fliers to designing a custom website.

 

5. Ask the Right Questions – When you are in class, you have an ideal opportunity to poll fellow students to get information you need for your business. For example, ask them if they would use the service you offer, what they like about your business idea, and what they would do to improve on your ideas. This is a great way to get the information you need to be successful in your new business venture.

 

6. Look into Funding – Depending on the type of business you are starting, you may need some sort of start-up funding. Fortunately, students are often well-positioned to get help not available to others. Check with the counseling and financial offices at your college for assistance with finding and securing loans, federal grants, fellowships, scholarships, etc. Don’t forget to explore crowdsourcing and other innovative sources for your startup.

 

7. Set Your Schedule – You know that old saying about one’s eyes being bigger than one’s stomach? This can also apply to starting a business while still in school. In that entrepreneurial adrenaline rush, everything may look exciting and doable. But be careful not to overextend yourself. If you do, you may end up with a failed business and failing grades. Create a schedule that includes detailed checklists and deadlines, and stick to those.

 

8. Don’t be Afraid to Say “No” – Being a student is already a full-time job. Adding a new business on top of that can feel like too much. So it’s critical that you learn what to cut out of your schedule and get in the habit of saying no. There isn’t always going to be time to go down to the pub with friends for a beer, no matter how much they bug you to go. On the other hand, don’t become a total hermit either. For successful student entrepreneurs, it’s all about balance.

Lorraine McKinney is an academic tutor and elearning specialist.