Can a Private Tutor Help You Get Better Grades?

BY SYLVIA KOHL

There are several reasons why you might be struggling with a specific subject. You might have a professor who’s hard to understand. You might have missed a few lectures due to illness or a family emergency. Or maybe the subject has just never come easy to you.

In any case, you’re not on track to get the grades you want, and you feel like you’re behind the other students in your class. One option is to hire a private tutor to help you get back on pace, but is this the best way to go?

Initial Steps to Take

Before hiring a private tutor, there are a few steps you should take to gauge how far behind you are, and potentially catch up:

• Invest some extra time. You’ve probably already taken this step, but just in case—take some extra time to review the material. If you budget 5 hours a week for studying, add two more hours specifically for this subject, either considering the coursework or finding online resources to guide you. In a couple of weeks, you may find yourself understanding it better.
• Talk to other students in your class. If you’re still struggling, have a conversation with the other students in your class. If everybody’s struggling the same as you, it means something’s wrong with the class; if nobody’s struggling, you may be able to ask them for advice or help.
• Talk to the professor. Talking to your professor is never a bad idea—they’re here to help. Ask them for pointers, or explain that you’re struggling; they may be able to offer you different coursework (unless you’re trying to get out of a test last-minute).

Pros and Cons

There are several options for where to go from here. For example, you could double down on your studying habits, you could work with a study group to improve collectively, or you could consider retaking the course at a later date. Hiring a private tutor is another viable option, and offers unique pros and cons that the other possibilities can’t.

• Dedicated attention. First, private tutors will give you specialized attention that you won’t find in a classroom or group studying setting. They’ll be able to adjust their instruction to fit your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and personal preferences. It alone may be enough to help you overcome your academic obstacles. You’ll spend extra time on your most difficult challenges, and you’ll have a coach to keep you motivated along the way.
• Incentivized, structured time. Private tutors are also an excellent way to hold yourself accountable. If a group session meets twice a week and will continue regardless of whether or not you’re there, it’s easy to skip or show up late. But when you’re paying out-of-pocket for a tutor in a dedicated session, you’re much more likely to show up on time, every time.
• Of course, you do have to consider the cost of a tutor. If you pay one of your peers to help you out, you can probably negotiate a low rate, but if you want an experienced professional, you might have to pay hundreds of dollars. On top of your other college costs, this can be financially crippling.
• Priority shift. Some research indicates that students working with a private tutor may be less inclined to attend their traditional classes; they believe tutoring is enough to help them succeed, which makes the traditional classroom less efficient. Fortunately, this disadvantage is easy to overcome, so long as you’re aware that it’s a possibility and are willing to work proactively to prevent it.

How to Choose a Tutor

Let’s say you’ve decided to hire a tutor. You should know that not all tutors are alike, and there are some key criteria you’ll need to consider when reviewing your options:

• Training and education. How familiar is this person on the subject you’re struggling with? Have they had any formal training in the education field?
• How long has this person been a tutor? Are they professional, or are they doing this on the side for a few extra bucks?
• How much does this person cost? How do other tutors compare?
• What kind of goals and coursework is this tutor prepared to offer? How long will it be before you’re ready to move on?
• Spend some time talking to your tutor before hiring them. Do you enjoy their company? Are they easy to get along with? This is more important than you might think.
• How available is this tutor? Will they be able to meet with you around your schedule, and keep that schedule consistently?

For many students, hiring a private tutor is the best possible choice to recover from an academic slump. For others, it’s an expensive distraction that may pull you away from your classes and primary studying strategies. Understand your studying style, and don’t be afraid to draw on other resources for help; just make sure you know what you’re getting into before you make a final decision.

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.

Students Learning While Working: Adapting to the Business Environment

BY MELISA BURNS

Times, when work opportunities for an absolute majority of college students were limited to temporary side jobs, are gone; today a student sufficiently savvy in his (or even unrelated) field can hope to land a full-fledged job with a company. Also if one doesn’t stay with the same business, later on, it is an excellent opportunity to acquire invaluable experience of working for a real business. However, the contrast between college and corporate culture is often too drastic, and requirements of a new environment may turn out to be too different from what one is used to. So how does one make this transition easier? Let’s find out.

1.    Adjust to the company’s culture

Every business that has been around for more than a week inevitably acquires its own set of traditions, inter- and intra-department politics, values, relationships, customs and so on. And while getting involved in policy isn’t a good idea at this stage (or any stage, for that matter), the rest calls for more attention. Just pay attention: how do people behave and talk? When and for how long do they take breaks? How do they react to particular managers? Failing to adjust will both create an unpleasant emotional background for your work and make it harder to do your job.

2.    Use your company’s education tools

Many businesses – especially many forward-looking IT-related companies aiming to expand their workforce quickly – have their dedicated tools and programs used to impart experience and knowledge to new employees and those of old ones that seek to improve their skills. PayPal, for example, recently invested in education portal development to make introducing new employees to the company work routine and culture easier. Find out if your company has something similar and don’t shy away from using it – it will both help you improve and demonstrate your willingness to do so to use your company’s education tools.

3.    Ask what you can and should do

In a modern business environment, people often have somewhat eclectic sets of responsibilities: if you ask someone working for a typical company whether he does only what is mentioned in his job description, he will usually answer that, in reality, his work is broader in some respects and narrower in others. So, to better fit in don’t be afraid to ask for feedback and recommendations from your manager – he may have a lot on his plate. It is part of his job to make sure you do yours, and to do it properly you should know what is expected of you, what you can do better and what you shouldn’t bother with at all.

4.    Make yourself indispensable

One of the most efficient and simplest (but not easiest!) ways to fit in a work environment and acquire experience along the way is to make every effort in your power to do an excellent job and make yourself valuable for the company. Keep track of what has to be done and do it before you are asked. Look for ways to do your job better and faster. Going an extra mile may be an incredibly trite and tired expression, but it doesn’t make doing it less efficient.

Juggling college and a severe job can be incredibly draining and hectic, but it is achievable – if you know where your time is going and know how you spend every minute of it. It requires considerable self-control and discipline that few people have naturally, so a good idea would be to embrace an efficient and established system like GTD – people who adopted it go as far as claiming it changes the way they think, not just the way they manage time.

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

Personal Finance Understanding During College Is Important

BY DAVID GUTIERREZ

It is fascinating how much time and resources high schools and colleges dedicated to teaching students things that may serve as a foundation for their future careers and means of making money, yet do nothing to explain what to do with this money once they earn it. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that absolute majority of people know virtually nothing about how money works as they graduate – the ubiquity of credit card debt and personal bankruptcy is a speaking proof of it. Economy students may be somewhat better off, but their curriculum mostly deals with larger issues without bothering with down-to-earth things like personal finance.

But if education system doesn’t see the importance of financial literacy, you must do so – and here is why you should take your steps to learn.

1.    It will turn frugality into a habit

Student years are most likely the first time you live on your own, and it will be the foundation for most of your habits for the rest of your life. Learning good financial habits early on and will make you better prepared for anything that may happen later. It will also make planning easier – and although you may believe that starting to plan for retirement while in college is a bit too early, now is the best time to do so. The earlier you start making optimal choices, the more money you save and invest right now, without putting it off, the more comfortable you will be when it is time to retire – and this time tends to get close really suddenly.

2.    It will give you a better ability to make use of opportunities

In order to use a financial chance, you have to a) be able to recognize it; b) have enough money. If financially literate, even students who are notoriously lacking in their finances can put away a part of their funds to always be ready to use a promising opportunity. And having sufficient financial knowledge will give you a hint that, for example, current BUNZL plc share price is a good reason to invest in it to make a profit later on.

3.    Everybody is after your money

Even if you demonstrate sufficient willpower and save up enough money to invest in something, modern market has too many opportunities: banks, insurance firms, credit card companies, brokerage firms, financial planners, etc. are all hungry for your money, and without sufficient knowledge in the sphere of finance you won’t have any chance to make an informed choice.

4.    You will gain control over your life

The majority of people have no idea what happens to their money once they earn it. It just comes and goes without their registering how it happens, what they spend it on – it is a financial equivalent of being too drunk to control your own actions. Becoming financially literate means gaining control over your money and, consequently, over your life as well. You will know exactly how much you earn and what are your main expenses are. And once you know this, you will have a tool you can use to make meaningful changes.

During your student years, it may not feel that planning for retirement and rationing your money is an important thing – life feels long, and there is enough time to earn all the money in the world. However, this impression is fleeting – life is unpredictable, and without understanding how money works, you can find yourself not only incapable of using opportunities that go your way but at a loss when dealing with even the most trivial problems as well.

Better healthcare means that people today tend to live longer than previous generations, which means that you can look forward to a longer retirement. However, it also means that you should do an even better job of planning for the future – while the rest of the world seems to be dead set on distracting you.

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.

6 Ways to Use Tech Gadgets For Success In Your Studies

BY SCOTT BAY

The days of studying in dark library corners, making notes in the margins of expensive textbooks—that you’ll sell back for pennies on the dollar later—are coming to an end. Whether you’re in a dorm or off-campus housing, you can use the latest tech to turn your living area into a study sanctuary—or even take your study sanctuary on the go. Choosing the right devices can help you stay better organized, make the most of your time, and make studying more pleasant and more efficient.

The following are six gadgets to help you gain maximum study success.

1. Moleskine Evernote Ruled Smart Notebook
   If you still like the feel of writing in a notebook but want to store your notes digitally, the Moleskine Evernote Ruled Smart Notebook gives you that old school feel with new school storage possibilities. Simply write in the notebook, then use the Evernote app’s camera feature to turn your analog notes digital. Not sure how to do all that? Not a problem, as the notebook comes with a comprehensive guide for using the notebook and app.
2. Kindle Voyage E-reader
   If you’re tired of lugging every textbook with you until “backpack” becomes synonymous with “back pain,” the Kindle Voyage E-reader makes portable studying easy. Its high-resolution 300 ppi display reads like the printed page, and the adaptive front light provides ideal brightness day or night, allowing you to catch up on your reading in the quad between classes or in bed at night—without disturbing your roommate. The added bonus of using this or any other e-reader? Electronic versions of most textbooks and literary classics are cheaper than the physical versions.
3. Amazon Echo + Vivint Smart Home
   If you live off-campus, equipping your home with smart home technology can help you create the ideal study environment—and one that changes with your mood. The Amazon Echo connects easily with Vivint Smart Home systems, allowing you to change lighting and temperature in your study environment with a simple voice command, so you won’t break out of your study groove. Dim the lights as it gets later, cool down if differential equations are making you sweat, or turn on the jams that keep you motivated for an all-nighter.
4. Quirky + GE Nimbus Smart Dashboard
   Addicted to checking your phone even when deep in your studies? The Quirky + GE Nimbus Smart Dashboard turns the old desktop or nightstand clock on its ear and lets you keep your phone in your pocket, providing customizable information at a glance. With its four faces there is a wide variety of display options—you can see not only the time and weather, but estimated commute time, step and calorie counts, and social media updates, without picking up your phone. Look up at your dashboard and back down at your books.
5. Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard
   Faster typing than writing by hand? Take those quick fingers on the go with the Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device keyboard, compatible with your computer, tablet, and smartphone. Lighter than a laptop, but easier to type on than a tablet, this portable keyboard is a must when you’re on the move.
6. Seagate Backup Plus Ultra Slim 2TB Portable External Hard Drive
   When you’ve worked all night, all week, all month on a paper and a computer crash causes it to go bye-bye, you’ll be glad you invested in the Seagate Backup Plus Ultra Slim 2TB Portable External Hard Drive. Easily connected by USB and compatible with Windows, Mac, or Android, this backup drive is a lifesaver. With 2TB of storage, it’s also ideal for keeping your photos and videos—not just your homework—safe.

Staying up to date on the latest tech might deserve a class of its own, but you don’t have to be a gadget major to take advantage of the aforementioned six study gadgets. Now you’re ready to hit the books—whether pixels or paper—and go from A to A+.

Scott Bay is a digital journalist who covers technology, travel, and wellness — catch his latest clips on Twitter.

Success Tips For Your Job Interviews After College

BY JANE HURST

Just because you are ready to graduate from college, don’t think that your test-taking days are soon going to be over. In fact, they are only just beginning. Now comes the real challenge: getting out there and finding the career that you have been working towards. Gone are the days when one could rely on the strength of their resume to get a job. Today’s employers are looking at many other things, and many are doing pre-employment testing to find the best candidates for the jobs they are offering, including aptitude and personality tests. This is not something that you need to be worried about if you are prepared. Let’s take a look at what you need to know about interview assessments and how to get through them.

Understanding Aptitude Tests

An aptitude test evaluates your skills and lets the employer know if you have what it takes to do the job. There are likely going to be hundreds of people applying for the position, and this testing can help to narrow the list down to a few qualified candidates. There are several different types of aptitude tests, so it is unlikely you will be able to fully prepare, as you won’t know which one is being used until the interview. In most cases, these tests are provided by assessment companies.

Understanding Personality Tests

Not only do you need the right skills for the job, you also need to have the right type of personality and mindset. Many employers use these tests, and the answers will help them to decide if you are right for the job. It is a good idea to take several practice tests before the actual interview. You need to be able to answer as honestly as possible, while also being able to give them the types of answers that they are looking for.

Preparing for Assessment Testing

When you arrive at the interview, be sure to have an up to date copy of your resume. If you are still in school, create a student resume that lists your skills, grades, volunteer work, etc. Before the interview, you should do the following:

• Take Practice Tests – While you can’t be prepared for everything that is going to be asked on the tests, by taking practice tests, you can be prepared a lot, and be used to taking these kinds of tests. It will also give you a pretty good idea of what you can expect to find on the actual test.
• Be Well Rested – The night before your interview, try to get to sleep as early as possible. You will need to be well rested in order to be able to get through the testing and interview process. It is also going to help you to feel less stressed if you are able to relax the night before the interview.
• Look Over Your Resume – Also on the night before the interview, take a few minutes to go over your resume to make sure everything important is there. If you are unsure about your education information, find out how to list education on a resume, and make any necessary changes.
• Pace Yourself – When you are taking the actual tests, you need to be able to pace yourself. Don’t take too long on any one question, but at the same time, do not rush through the answers either. Yes, there is a time limit, but if you know how to pace yourself, you will achieve a high score.
• Quality, not Quantity – While it is important to answer as many of the questions as possible, employers are often more concerned about the quality of your answers rather than how many questions you are able to answer. Look for the questions that are easiest for you, and concentrate on those.

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.

5 Countries You Could Consider Moving To After Graduation

BY KATE LARSON

For the large majority, graduating from college also means moving back home.

This can sometimes feel like a backward step in your development, especially if you’ve spent the last three years living independently.

One way to get around the issue is to think about moving abroad after you graduate. With travel becoming cheaper and working visas on offer in a variety of interesting countries, it’s never been easier to spread your wings.

The experience will help add a major selling point to your resume and will allow you to fulfill any desires you might have to travel at the same time.

To celebrate this, I’ve come up with a list of five countries you should consider moving to after you graduate, below:

1. Australia

For graduates majoring in agriculture, tourism, or administration, there are few better countries to work in than Australia. The Land Down Under is currently undergoing an extended period of major job growth, making its 12-month working visa for US residents an attractive prospect. Thanks to its stunning coastline and year-round warm weather, you’ll never be short of outdoor activities to enjoy outside of work.

2. Ireland 

The rolling emerald hills of Ireland are the place to head for graduates looking for employment in the hospitality or retail sectors. In fact, the services industry makes up around 75 percent of Ireland’s employment, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The country’s economy was the fastest growing in the whole of the European Union over the last 12 months, making their 12-month working visa for US residents one of the most attractive prospects on our list.

3. France

Calling all marketing masters, language experts, aspiring attorneys, academics, and fashionistas, France is very much open for business. Following the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, the French Prime Minister, Emmanuel Macron, actively encouraged scientists and academics from the States to move to the country. The European powerhouse has a steady economy and a culture that is unrivaled anywhere else on the planet. Be warned: your chances of success in the country depend almost entirely on whether you can speak the language of love fluently. The country’s strict visa requirements also mean that you’ll need to have a job lined up before you travel to the country.

4. The United Kingdom

Despite worries over the long-term effects of Brexit, the UK economy has continued to go from strength to strength. Innovation looks set to be at the forefront of government planning over the coming years, with increased funding and job opportunities in the sciences, engineering, and creative sectors. The UK government is investing nearly £2bn per annum into businesses through the HMRC R&D tax credits scheme.  The tax relief scheme is boosting innovation, productivity and employment and will possibly become more generous post Brexit.

Much in the same way as France, the UK requires all working visitors from the United States to have arranged employment before travel.

5. South Korea

South Korea’s capital, Seoul, is a thriving metropolitan area, with numerous jobs in business and education available to US graduates. The country offers two different working visas: a business visa and a work visa. The former requires an offer of employment before you travel to the country. Naturally, South Korea’s main language is Korean, but many residents under the age of 40 also speak English to a high standard. When you’re not at work, you can take the time to enjoy the beautiful mountainous peninsula on which the country sits on.

Kate Larson is a college student and aspiring blogger, who has a strong interest in the environment and personal well-being. She enjoys travelling and reading, as well as writing novels.

How old is too old to invest in postsecondary education?

 BY ANTON LUCANUS

We occasionally hear inspiring stories of 60-something-year-olds making the bold decision to return to university in order to change their lives or achieve a life-long dream of being educated. But in actual practice this is no longer a rarity. The number of people turning to tertiary education in their twilight years – seeing it as an opportunity to reinvent their lives, improve their salary or tick off a bucket list item – is only growing. In the U.K., the Open University now has 11 percent of its students over the age of 55 and 3 percent over 65 – a huge development considering that 10 years ago the idea of a senior citizen re-enrolling in an education course would have been thought preposterous. The number of people aged 30 to 34 in the EU who have completed tertiary education continues to rise steadily, from 23.6 percent in 2002 to 39.1 percent in 2016. Women are leading the way, from 24.5 percent in 2002 to 43.9 percent in 2016.

But some would-be students see their age as an obstacle or a reason not to further their education. They see embarking on a four or six-year course as a waste of time and investment, largely due to the short life span of a career started after one turns 60. Many are also of the preconceived notion that retirement should be a time of relaxation, of kicking back and enjoying the good life – not of sitting in exams and having to do assessments again.

But in fact, there are countless benefits to becoming a mature aged student – and by mature aged, I am referring to anyone who has not studied for over 20 years and is over the age of 40.

Firstly, gaining further qualifications such as an MBA can lead to one earning a salary increase. Whichever university or online provider one opts to enroll with, there is a strong likelihood that an MBA will prove a strong long-term investment. Research shows that MBA graduates enjoy, on average, an 18 percent rise in their base salary upon graduation; an increase that jumps up to 53 percent after another three to five years.

For others, gaining a degree or MBA – even a graduate diploma – is about achieving a life-long dream and feeling a sense of success for perhaps the first time in their lives. For 63-year-old great-grandmother of five and grandmother of seven Priscilla Santiago of Connecticut, gaining a bachelor’s degree was her way of “owning” her life again after a series of misfortunes and abuse, including a devastating sexual assault that forced her to drop out of high school 47 years earlier.

“Everything happened for me from age 59 to 63,” she said. “It’s never too late for you to do what you think you can’t do. Every day God gives you the chance to do what you want with your life. Don’t let insecurities prevent you from living out your dream.”

Many older women alive today were born and raised in an era where female education was not valued by society. Today, by entering university or college as a female student, those women are taking advantage of the same opportunities offered to young women today – opportunities they were not lucky enough to be given. The sense of self-fulfillment gained by those women is one that goes on to encourage other female seniors to jump on board and gain a qualification too.

However, having a degree or other qualification is no simple guarantee of finding a job in this day and age, where sluggish recovery following the Great Recession has seen an overall unemployment rate of recent college graduates drop to 7.9 percent. Despite common belief that having a degree certificate will lead to job offers, the reality is that employers are seeking professionals with both qualifications and experience. New graduates often find themselves incredibly frustrated with this criterion when job seeking in a new field, since without relevant experience, what hope do they have? They need experience in a certain field to get a new job, but they need a job to gain that experience.

It turns out that choice of college or university, as well as the chosen subject of study, makes a real difference in terms of employment prospects upon graduation. One study found that the unemployment rate for nursing and education majors at U.S. colleges was roughly 5 percent, but that number rose to 10 percent for graduates of architecture and information systems. The digital marketing, entertainment and I.T. industries are generally more favorable toward younger employees, while healthcare and accounting are more willing to consider older employees.

It is often recommended that those wishing to begin studying later in life consider enrolling in a certificate program rather than a four or six-year degree or master’s program. By doing so, students can learn new skills and specialized training in a particular discipline program but take less time to do so than they would earning an associate’s, undergraduate or master’s degree, enabling them to accumulate less student debt and progress toward a new career more quickly. Given the flexible nature of certificate programs, they also allow students to take up an internship or part-time work in the relevant industry while studying.

Slowly, America’s biggest universities and community colleges are making the move to popularize certificate programs, in acknowledgment of growing demand by midlife students seeking an alternative to traditional adult education. Technical schools, community college websites and industry associations are a great place to search for certificate programs targeted toward this demographic. The Plus 50 initiative, a U.S. based program offering life transition counselling services, education courses and other support services to people over 50, is also worth having a look at. Perhaps the most effective way of entering the industry as a midlife graduate, however, is by leveraging opportunities that may exist within your new school’s alumni office or network of professors and classmates.

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.

6 Best YouTube Channels for Quality Learning Online Courses / Material

BY MARTHA KARN

If you want to expand your knowledge and gain more skills, one of the best way to do it is by taking online courses. The only problem is that with so many courses out there, it can be difficult to know which ones are the best to take, and which aren’t going to do you much good. You can find all kinds of great courses and learning channels on YouTube, but which ones are going to offer the best quality learning material for you? Today we are going to take a look at what we consider to be six of the best YouTube channels that offer quality learning material.

1) Vsauce: Some channels are very specialized, while others offer a huge selection of learning material. Vsauce is one of the latter, and you will find everything from human behavior to physics to general knowledge to earth and space, and even learn if headlights can work at light speed. These courses are fun, and loaded with information that can help with your work, current studies, etc. Learn about how the earth works, dinosaur science, how Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain, and more.

2) Gresham College: This is another channel that offers a variety of online courses that can help to improve your general knowledge. For instance, you may be interested in learning about asthma and other diseases of the airways. Or, you might want to learn more about the world of insects, including the various diseases that are spread by mosquitoes. Some of the most popular uploads from Gresham College include “The End of Space and Time? with Professor Robbert Dijkgraaf, the “Shakespeare Politics” series, and “Mathematics: The Next Generation” with Professor Peter.

3) Veritasium: This is a channel that offers courses about science and engineering. You will find loads of cool experiments, interviews with experts, awesome demonstrations, public discussions about various science topics, and more. Some of the most popular uploads on Veritasium include “Can Silence Actually Drive You Crazy?”, “Anti-Gravity Wheel?”, and “Why are Mosquitoes Attracted to Me?”. If you need to upgrade your iPhone to be able to use this or any other YouTube channel, look into going for an iPhone 6 trade in so you don’t have to pay full price for a new iPhone.

4) Smithsonian Channel: If you are looking for quality programming from a YouTube educational channel, look no further than the Smithsonian Channel. Here you will find award-winning programming about such topics as air and space, history, science, nature, pop culture, and so much more. This is a joint venture that offers the expertise of Showtime Networks with the resources offered by the Smithsonian, and you will find yourself enjoying endless hours of top class learning material that can help you with your work, studies, and more.

5) C.G.P. Grey: Are you curious as to how machines learn? Do you want to learn about the differences between Great Britain and the United Kingdom? Are you interested in learning about Canada/United States border issues? You will find all of this, and more, on C.G.P. Grey, and you can even “Ask Grey a Question”. There are even a lot of fun videos, such as “The One Ring Explained” about the Lord of the Rings mythology, and “How to Become Pope”. This is a fun and eclectic learning resource that you need to check out.

6) BrainCraft: Maybe you are interested in psychology, how the brain works, and why we do the things we do. When you check out the videos at BrainCraft, you will be able to learn about these things, and then some. This channel offers videos about neuroscience, psychology, etc., and you will find some pretty interesting videos, including “How to Think Like Einstein”, “The Neuroscience of Creativity”, and “Your Brain in Virtual Reality”.

Bio:

Martha Karn develops online educational courses and writes for students.

5 Ways To Help You Succeed In College

BY SASHA McGREGOR

The college years are difficult for most students. For many, it’s their first time away from constant adult supervision. Students must balance adult responsibilities, such as part-time jobs, with coursework. Read on for a list of five tips for college success.

5. Use Your Campus Resources

Most college campuses have learning support services. For instance a writing lab provides tutors, typically during weekdays. These tutors will sit down with the student and provide feedback on student essays. Check with your school’s learning support center or library to ask about tutoring. However, you should not wait until the week your paper is due. Many writing labs require a student to make an appointment.

In addition to writing labs, some campuses also have math labs and other types of tutoring. Most of these tutoring services are included in student fees. This eliminates the need for private tutoring. In most cases the tutors in learning support services are graduate students or part-time staff who have studied the subject at an advanced level. Thus, they are knowledgeable on the subjects in which they tutor. Resources, notes and study aids are also available online through websites like Course Hero free in some cases, but accessible for a fee in others.

4. Organize a Study Group

If you are struggling with a particular subject, don’t feel overwhelmed. You undoubtedly aren’t the only one who needs help. Get together with friends who are in your class(es). Meet at least once per week to help each other with homework. During exam times, meet for several hours to go over your notes.

3. Get to Know Your Professors

Most professor hold office hours during weekdays. It’s a good idea to attend office hours at least a few times during the semester. Take advantage of any one-on-one time with your teachers. They can explain things you didn’t understand in class or answer any questions you have about your grade or upcoming assignments. Professors are also more likely to help you if they see that you’re putting forth the effort to meet with them outside of class.

2. Prioritize Your Physical Health

College is a time in which students are often on-the-go. They may stop for fast food on the way to class or stock their dorms with unhealthy snacks. Eating too many empty calories will not only contribute to an unhealthy weight gain, but it will also not create the energy necessary to study and focus. Instead, you should limit yourself to only a couple of fast food meals per week. Keep fruits and veggies in your dorm or apartment. It is also important to get plenty of sleep each night.

1. Stay Organized and Disciplined

The importance of good organizational skills cannot be emphasized enough. Undisciplined and unorganized students lose sleep by having to cram and study for exams at the last minute. Being unorganized can also cause a student to misplace important things, such as lecture notes. If you want to succeed in college, invest in a daily or weekly planner. Either add a planner app to your phone, or buy a paper tablet to keep track of all the important dates for the semester. Begin by gathering your course syllabi. Go through each syllabus and write important due dates in your planner. This will help you see which weeks of the semester are busiest for you. It will also help you plan ahead.

College students are pulled in many directions. They have studying to do, parties and sporting events to attend, and jobs to do. While this is overwhelming to most students, any student can pass college successfully. It all begins with careful planning, taking care of one’s physical health, prioritizing study time and using campus resources when necessary.

Bio:

I am a young mother who loves kids, that is why I became a teacher. Education is one of my passions, along with caring for animals like my pupper Morris. In my down time I love to paint and practice my calligraphy.

7 Smart Steps to Take if You Need More College Funding

BY LORRAINE McKINNEY

One of the biggest problems faced by college students today isn’t how they plan to go about their studies, but how they plan to pay for them. Even with student loans, many students still lack the funds they need to get through college. After all, the cost of studying at a college or university involves a lot more than just tuition and books: students also have to consider how to manage living expenses like rent, food, transport, and a whole lot more.

If you’re worried that you won’t have the funding you need to complete your education, we’ve got you covered – check out the following seven steps to help you secure more funding for your studies.

1. Ask Your School for Help. Many schools offer financial aid for their students, though not all of it is based on academic merit. Some schools offer “preferential packaging”, and only give financing to students who can raise the profile of the school. If you have great grades and are involved in extracurricular activities, you may be eligible for one of these awards. Speak to your school’s financial aid office to find out if you qualify for financial aid.

2. Claim a Tax Credit. Your parents can get a tax credit of as much as $2,500 annually per child, after paying tuition, room and board, and books. If your parents’ modified adjusted gross income is less than $90,000 (or $180,000 if they file jointly), they can claim this credit, which will cover many of your educational costs. They can file for this credit for every year that you are in college. Make sure to ask your parents whether they’re aware of this option – it could save them a lot of money in the long run, and ensure you have the funds you need to complete your education.

3. Look into Grants and Loans. Government grants are also an option and are available both at state and federal levels. Some colleges even provide their own grants. Most of these grants are based on the financial needs of the student, which are determined by your reported income on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students at public colleges can receive up to $5,000 on average, and those studying at private colleges can receive over $16,000.

If you have a more immediate need for funds, you can consider an emergency cash loan, so long as you perform due diligence to make sure you’re going with a reputable company and not taking on debt you can’t handle.

4. Ask about Payment Plans. Talk to the school’s billing office, bursar’s office, or cashier’s office to find out if they offer any payment plans that can help you spread out the cost of your tuition so you don’t have to pay the full amount up-front. This would allow you to make payments during the semester and avoid late fees if you are unable to pay all your expenses at once.

5. Possible Special Circumstances. Unexpected events can change your circumstances overnight. For instance, your family’s finances could quickly change if there is a loss of a job or a divorce. A special circumstances re-evaluation of the financial information on the FAFSA could result in your eligibility being recalculated, and you could end up with more financial aid.

6. Get an Emergency Advance. Often, students have expenses, such as paying for housing and other living expenses, before they actually receive their financial aid. In such cases, they can apply for an advance in their financial aid or apply for a school-based loan. Talk to your financial aid office to find out if this option is available at your school. However, before you take on an emergency advance, it’s vital to make sure that you fully understand the terms and repayment schedule.

7. Research Private Scholarships. Many companies, community groups and non-profit organizations offer private scholarships to deserving students. A good example is the scholarship offered by Air Charter Service. This is something that you should talk to your guidance counselor about, as they will likely be able to point you in the right direction. You can also go online to research the various scholarships that you may be eligible to receive. Another option is to use a company such as Fastweb to find the best scholarships based on your needs.

Lorraine McKinney is an academic tutor and elearning specialist.