How To Integrate Exercise Into College Life

BY SYLVIA KOHL

Exercising is important. We all know this, it’s only been recommended by doctors and researchers for years now. Modern living has taken a toll on our levels of physical activity, which is one of the reasons why obesity is such an epidemic nowadays. The human body is meant to be in motion, not sitting for hours on end at a desk while you’re working/studying.

There’s no doubt that exercise is essential for a person’s health and wellbeing. Not only is physical activity great for relieving stress (a must for every harried university student), it also reduces the risk of illness and helps you focus.

 

However, fitting exercise into a busy schedule isn’t always the easiest thing, especially for university students that are juggling hours of classes, study sessions, exams and assignments on a daily basis.

Below are some tips to help you get on track to fitness.

Change your perspective. The main reason people don’t make time for working out is that they see it as something that will intrude on their other responsibilities. If you look at it that way, there’s little chance you’re going to want to get on the healthy track. Instead, you should view exercise as a positive change in your life, not something that will suck up time that could be spent studying or sleeping. Think of it as an activity that will better your health, much like eating your veggies.

If that doesn’t seem to motivate, you can always go for another approach and buy yourself new workout gear if that’s what will get you excited. You don’t have to break the bank to do it either; there are plenty of discount websites, such as Dealsland, you can take advantage of.

Start small. Most of the time when people want to lead a healthier lifestyle they want to dive into it head first, making massive changes at once. Two common problems with that approach: 1. you may get overwhelmed by it all and 2. it’s not sustainable.

Though some strong-willed individuals can make that work for them, the best way for the rest of us is to start making small changes at a time. Begin by working out once a week, for example. Or start taking the stairs instead of the elevator. All these little changes can add up over time, and before you know it you’re exercising every single day.

Another essential thing to keep in mind is to be realistic about your goals. Say you want to start jogging; if you’ve never been a runner, don’t expect to be hitting 4 miles on the first day. It takes time to train your body. Don’t strive for perfection but progress.

Be flexible. Sometimes you can’t do it all; it’s a fact of life. So, give yourself a break if it’s midterms season and you’re up to your eyeballs in exams. But remember to get back to it once the busy times have passed.

Create a routine. One way to get your workouts in no matter what is to schedule exercise time as one of your classes. Try not to stress about it as much as you do with your courses, but invest some time in planning out your days so that you know exactly when you’re in class studying and when you’re going to work out.

 

For the early birds that like to get a jump start on the day, you could work out in the mornings. This way you can get it out of the way and have the rest of your day to do everything you need to. If you prefer working out in the afternoon, do it as soon as you’re done with uni. Don’t give yourself time to procrastinate and binge watch that shows on Netflix you’ve been losing sleep over.

Get an exercise buddy. If you’re having trouble holding yourself accountable, get a friend to join you. Not only will you be able to motivate each other when one of you is feeling lazy, but it’ll also make the whole experience more fun. Think of it as a twofer; you get to catch up with your friend and socialize while you train together. Talk about multitasking.

It’s not easy to incorporate time for exercise for a busy college student, but it’s still possible. Just take it one step at a time and follow the tips mentioned above. Before you know it, you’ll be looking forward to your workouts every day.

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.

 

9 Must-Have Items for College Freshmen

BY MARTA KARN

When packing to go away to college, freshmen students often think about the big things, but they tend to forget a lot of the little things. Then, when they need one of these items, it is not there for them to use. There are so many things to put on your packing list when you are getting ready to head off to college. Here is a list of nine important items that every college freshman needs to pack.

 

1. Sewing Kit – If you don’t know how to sew, now is a good time to learn. You never know when you are going to lose a button, or when a seam is going to come loose. When you can sew, and have a sewing kit handy, you will be prepared for any sewing emergency.
2. First-Aid Kit – You can’t always count on having first-aid supplies handy in your dorm, so make sure that you have your own. Your first-aid kit should include bandages, gauze, a bottle of ibuprofen, a tube of Neosporin, a bottle of peroxide, and a bottle of rubbing alcohol. You should also include cotton swabs.
3. Tool Kit – Even if you just want to hang a picture, you are going to need a hammer and a nail. Pack up a small tool kit that contains a hammer, a multi-tip screwdriver, nails, and screws. You can often find small tool kits available at your local hardware store, or you can make up your own.
4. Wet Weather Clothing – It is always a good idea to have clothing for all types of weather. Make sure that you have a raincoat, rubber boots, and an umbrella. You never know when you are going to need to walk in bad weather, but at least you will be prepared for it.
5. Extra Socks – It seems like socks just get up and walk away, and we are left with one instead of a pair. By the end of the year, you might be walking around barefoot. Stock up on a few packages of socks, so you will have plenty of extras when you need them. If you need extra money for the supplies you are taking to college, you can sell your Dell laptop for extra cash.
6. Detergent Pods – You will need to supply your own laundry supplies, and it is a lot easier to pack the detergent pods than bottles of laundry detergent. In fact, you can easily pack a whole year’s worth of pods, so you never run out of detergent. Don’t forget to get a sturdy laundry bag too, in case you have to walk several floors or even blocks to get to a laundry facility.
7. Water Bottle – Rather than wasting money on bottled water, and creating more waste, get yourself a BPA-free water bottle and a Brita water filter. You can always have healthy water, and you will be saving a lot of money in the long run. This is also going to help you to stay well-hydrated at all times.
8. Laptop Lock – Your laptop is something you can’t live without as a college student, so you need to take steps to protect it. Get yourself a good laptop lock, so you don’t have to worry about it begin stolen. If you leave it somewhere, you know it is going to be safe until you come back for it.
9. Disposable Dinnerware – Stock up on paper plates, plastic cutlery, etc. If you have a microwave in your dorm room, you will always have utensils, and something to eat off of. These are also a lot easier to pack and store than glass or plastic dinnerware, and you never have to worry about doing the dishes after you eat.

Bio:

Martha Karn develops online educational courses and writes for students.

3 Priority Courses Students Should Consider Taking

BY KYE-SUK JANG

 

Are you in college wondering what’s in store for you after college? Do you get unsettling thoughts about your future? This article aims to address your situation by suggesting a few great and fun courses to help you secure your future. Depending on your interests, you can take some of these courses, but we strongly recommend you take all three courses in order to prepare yourself after college.

With burgeoning student loans and fervent desire to earn fat pay-checks, students often opt for college courses which provide stable and high-paying jobs. While this kind of thinking is definitely the safest and the most diplomatic way to approach your career, it would be foolish to be purely limited to your specialized stream of study.

Opting for courses that are distinct from your majors can sometimes have a dramatic impact on your career graph. The best story to illustrate this theory is the tale of Rev. Robert Palladino. He was a simple Trappist monk but whose influence on the world of technology cannot be disputed. He taught calligraphy at Reed College, Oregon, a course which was taken up by none other than Steve Jobs. Jobs, later admitted that the fonts and designs he learnt in this class were cardinal to the beautiful typography developed for the Mac. While it is understandable that not all success stories will follow a similar curve, adding on your existing knowledge can get you higher returns than what you could imagine.

The spectrum of subjects that universities and colleges offer seems vast and overwhelming. With daunting STEM subjects at one end and intellectually-enriching psychology courses at the other, choosing college courses is a challenging task. It is impossible to analyze which course might end up accelerating your career graph. But going by the norms dictating our society, technology and economy, the following three courses are going to add much sought-after value to your college degree:

1. Communication

The wise words of John Donne, “No man is an island”, hold greater relevance today than they did way back in the 1500s. In today’s context, it implies that you cannot survive in any sphere of work without communicating with others. Business and professional communication forms the backbone of every industry and economy. From writing your resume to giving your product’s keynote speech, effective communication skill requirements are embedded in every strata of work life. Studies reveal that a whopping 73.4% of employers expect good writing skills from employees. This is because clear writing is often considered a manifestation of clear thinking.

Most college students confuse professional writing with literature lessons. There is a clear distinction between quoting Shakespeare and writing ad-jingles to sell aerated drinks. All these diverse requirements can be met by taking college courses pertaining to communication. Within this realm is also included the method of conquering the biggest fear human beings have. Not death, but of public speaking. College students who take up public speaking classes witness an increased level of confidence and critical thinking abilities. There are resources on the internet like daily writing tips that can help you with most types of writing.

Additionally, soft skills training programs, which cover the areas of communication, team-work, problem-solving etc, teach valuable lessons in maintaining good interpersonal relationships on the professional front. 93% of employers scrutinize employees for these soft skills during recruitment. Another entity gaining massive popularity is learning a foreign language. Even if you are not attracted exotic cultures or fancy sounding like a foreigner, learning an additional language will always help you break the cultural barriers. People who know more languages are seen as resources who can be sent for meeting up with international clients. These simple skills can increase your chances of landing your dream job, with the added advantages over your competitors.

There are several free as well as paid platforms that can help you with learning a language. There are websites like Duolingo, Babbel, and Native Monks that provide an online platform that connects tutor of all languages with students who are learning those languages. The website has teachers from the most common English tutors to tutors for unique languages.

 

2. Computers

And no, it doesn’t necessarily mean becoming a website designer or an ace coder or a to join Google or Microsoft. It means having basic technical knowledge about computers, because it is more of a mandate and less of an option in today’s digital age. Many students, especially the ones pursuing non-technical fields such as Literature or History may feel that coding and programming and all that jazz should be reserved for hard-core computer geeks. But in reality, every student, irrespective of his/her major, should have a working knowledge of computers, including one coding software and one design software.

While the concepts of C++ or Java programming might not be directly applicable to all streams of life, they definitely help you become more logical and systematic in your thinking. They also help one develop lateral thinking skills and finding creative solutions to problems. On the other hand, the ubiquities of design software have made it imperative for non-programmers to gain a considerable technical knowledge. Every profession today requires one to sit in front of a computer at least for part of the day. Hence, understanding the basics of how these softwares operate is important, so that even non-techies can blend in technology and business processes to reap the maximum profit. Be it as simple as running your own blog or advertising your brand on social media, the knowledge of computers is indispensible.

3. Personal Finance

A whopping 83% of teenagers lack basic money management skills. 87% of the same population is virtually clueless about personal finances. According to a 2014 report, $1.2 trillion dollars is the number that represents the total student loan in the USA alone.

What these statistics are pointing out is the fact that we need to educate our youth about how to manage personal finances. It is imperative to keep a check on where each dollar is spent and what kind of different investment options one has. The sad state of affairs is that our educational institutions don’t give financial literacy its due attention. Managing money is better started early for you to get a grasp of it. Personal finance courses in college aim to educate students about mortgages, cash flow and budgeting, how to invest in stock markets, how to file your taxes, and retirement plans.

How you manage personal finances is going to decide every major decision of your life. Your plans to study further, buying a house or a car, settling down – all these depend on how financially stable and capable you are. Individuals who are inept at managing their money often have to take up jobs just for the pay-check. Finance pundits often relate economy downturns to poor investment choices made by general public. Needless to say, it is one of the most important and relevant lessons an adult will ever learn.

 

Kye-Suk-Jang is an educator and an avid reader. She advises students on a variety of areas including Education, Career, and Personal Finance. She likes to write for College Puzzle and believes in Project Based Learning. She is working towards reshaping education for the betterment of students and to create future leaders. 

 

 

5 Reasons to Build Your Network While Still in College

BY AMANDA SPARKS

          Here’s some food for thought. 80% of job openings are not advertised. And the reasons for this is that employers have better methods of finding good pools of candidates. They have usually been supplied these candidates by colleagues and connections they have within the industry or by current employees who can recommend peers from college or previous jobs. You will want to be on these “lists” of referred candidates – and the way to do that is begin to establish a network of connections long before you are actually in the market.

Here are five reasons why networking should begin while you are in college.

1. Networking Can Land You Your First Career Position

College students seem to be reluctant to network while still in college. They may be intimidated or they may not understand exactly how to begin to develop their networks.

Think about the people with whom you have some comfort and begin with them. These may be professors in your major field, for example. They are considered experts and have many connections in the private and public sectors. If you spend time with one or two of them, asking for career advice and projecting your enthusiasm for the career niche, they are likely to mention you when they learn of openings from their connections.

The same thing goes for others with whom you may feel comfortable. How about the parents of your close friends? If they are in career positions, they may have connections too. If they like you and believe that you are an honest, bright, and accomplished kid, they may very well recommend you to others.

2. The Connections You Make Now Can Last a Lifetime

It’s not always about landing that first career position. Projections are that those who begin in a career niche right now could very well change careers at least four times during their work life. That’s just the nature of things today – careers evolve; some contract or die out; new career fields are always on the horizon.

As you move through your working life, you will want to change jobs within your career field or change careers entirely. The connections you made in college, especially with fellow students and even internship supervisors could prove invaluable, as long as you have remained in touch.

3. You Will Gain Good Practice

Think about the academic challenges you faced when you began college. Perhaps you were intimidated by essays and papers and had to get some writing help. Maybe you were financially challenged and had to practice money management.

As mentioned already, many college students are not adept at networking. It takes self-confidence to make overtures, sometimes to strangers, and networking is a bit of an art. If you start in college, by joining professional associations, by setting up a LinkedIn profile and joining discussion groups in your niche, by following experts and influencers in your field on Twitter and other social media platforms, you will get the practice you need. With each new overture/introduction you make, you will get better. By the time you are in your career, you will be well-practiced and have the self-confidence you need to keep networking and to do it more successfully.

4. You Will “Prove” Your Enthusiasm

If those who are already in your career niche see that you are participating in networking activities while still in college, and they see that you are asking questions, contributing to discussions, and following developments in the industry, they will be impressed.

5. You Build a Community of Support

No one enters a career with great knowledge and a fully-developed skill set. And no one enters a career position with a full understanding of the organizational culture and environment. Moving up that career ladder will come with challenges and issues. If you have a network of experts in place – pros who have been in your field far longer than you – they become sources of mentoring, advice and counsel outside of the organization you are with. This can be invaluable.

Start your process of networking now. Right now, you don’t really need anything from your networking contacts. Work on making those relationships deeper. Then, when you do want to leverage your connections, they will be ready and eager to provide the help you need.

 

Author’s Bio: Amanda Sparks, pro writer and current editor at Essay Supply, lifestyle writer at Huffington Post. I am fancy doing perfect things for this perfect world, and help people make their life easier with my lifestyle tips.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7 Gadgets and Platforms Every College Student Should Know About

BY TIM MONSON

 

Studying in college can be a tough competition in case you decided to do it on your own. Smart people decided to invent tools that can significantly simplify your learning process, make it easier and funnier.

1. Study Blue

StudyBlue is an online education platform. It focuses on high school and college students. StudyBlue makes your smartphone a study material. You can download StudyBlue app from online app store and get necessary study materials. Around thousand flash cards, review sheets, quizzes and study materials are being uploaded every day. You can download any study materials for free.

 

2. PaperTab

PaperTab is an unusual tablet. It is as thin as paper. Developed by the Plastic Logic, an IT company. PaperTab lets the user read ebooks, send emails and study. You can flip pages like original paper books. It has a flexible thin touchscreen that you can fold like paper.

 

3. Chromebook

Specially designed for students. It has a very user-friendly interface. Chromebooks are comfortable to use. You need not worry about viruses because it has a built-in virus protection tool. It is thin, light and long-life battery backup. It won’t slow down over time and keep you up to date all the time. When you’re going to college or university, you can leave your charger at home. Google guarantees Chromebook’s battery life. Best Essay Writers around the world recommend Chromebook for students. You can use it for essay writing purposes.

4. EssayPro Blog

EssayPro is an innovative educational platform. Are you overwhelmed with homework and extracurricular activities? In this case, services like Essaypro can be extremely helpful for you. You may proofread your coursework, especially if it includes a bibliography or professional thesis, or teach you how to write an essay from A-Z. No matter what vertical you write about, these blog contains mostly all popular topics.

 

6. LessonCast

Celly is a platform where you can learn together. It’s a messaging service that teachers and instructor use most. Being a part of Celly community, you can directly communicate with your faculty, educators, and instructors. In the same way, your teachers can text you important notices, class schedules and lectures. Celly’s goal is to create a sharing based education community. Even your parents can join the community. Celly is accessible from any devices-smartphones, web browsers, email and text messaging.

 

7. CoursEra

CoursEra is a platform for students who love to learn. Initially, it offers free courses, but you need to pay for a hard copy of the certificate. CoursEra has a partnership with different universities from Australia, USA, UK, Canada, Colombia, France, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Russia, Singapore, and Switzerland. Among all the universities- the University of Toronto, the University of Chicago, the University of Zurich, the University of Melbourne, the University of Pennsylvania, the Dukeb University, the University of London, the University of Nebraska and the University of Florida are well-known. Their courses include-Arts and Humanities, business studies, computer science, data science, life science, math and logic, personal development and social science. You can also use CoursEra on your smartphone. Download CoursEra app from the app store and attend courses from anywhere.

By Tim Monson

Stay Safe While Driving: 7 Tips for College Students

BY JANE HURST

Not all college students can have a car while attending school—especially freshmen. But, if you are one of the lucky ones with an auto, you’ll need to follow these driving tips to stay safe on and around campus.

 

1. Get Familiar with the Area – Before you start driving around your new college town, it is a good idea to get to know the area. Take a walk around, and look at the traffic patterns. Find out where crosswalks are located, and where pedestrians tend to congregate. Don’t forget to check out parking lots to see if there are fees, special permits needed, etc.
2. Watch for Pedestrians – There are a lot of people walking around a college campus, which means that you need to be more diligent about watching for pedestrians. Remember, they always have the right of way. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for cyclists as well, as many college students use their bicycles as their main mode of transportation.
3. Watch Out for New Drivers – According to recent studies and transportation experts like Montway a lot of teens and young adults are waiting longer to get their driver’s licenses. That means that you are going to be faced with a lot of new and inexperienced drivers. Statistics show that there are more accidents involving teens in September than any other month, especially in the mornings and afternoons.
4. Expect More Traffic – College towns are a lot busier than many other areas, and you can expect to see a lot of diverse traffic, from motorcycles to trucks. You need to be prepared for this, and learn how to drive offensively as well as defensively. Be careful at intersections and stop signs , especially as you drive through a school zone in the mornings and afternoons when there is a lot more traffic.
5. Have Your Car Inspected – You need to make sure that the car you are driving is going to be safe. Make sure that you have it inspected prior to leaving for college and, if there are any safety issues, have them taken care of before you leave. Things that need to be checked include tires, brakes, fluids, headlights, turn signals, steering, and mirrors, to name a few.
6. Turn Off Your Cell Phone – One of the leading causes of automobile accidents is not paying attention, and often it is because people are talking on their cell phones or texting while driving. If you absolutely must text or call someone, pull off to the side of the road or into a parking lot before you do it. It only takes a second for an accident to happen, and you can’t let your attention waiver from your driving, or let your eyes wander.
7. NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE – This is the most important driving safety tip of all. Never get behind the wheel if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This is just a recipe for disaster. Arrange for alternate transportation or take a ride-share service like Uber if you are going to be drinking. Make sure that your friends have transportation as well. The last thing you want is to end up in an accident that could have easily been prevented.

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.

 

On 27 September 2017 at 16:03, Jane Hurst <janehurst26@gmail.com> wrote:

Is it feasible to run a business in addition to your studies?

By Anton Lucanus

We all know that university is an expensive endeavor, and today’s students are a tech-savvy and entrepreneurially minded bunch. But how feasible is it to run business on the side of your studies?

Traditionally people looking at making cash off of a side-hustle had a full-time salary gig to finance their endeavor, and there are their fair share of glamorous success stories. Like, Shark Tank star and fashion mogul, Daymond John, who built up his clothing empire FUBU, while working full time at Red Lobster for four years, or business coach Luisa Zhou, whose side-hustle not only ended up earning her over six figures, but also completely shifted the trajectory of her career.

Now days, thanks to the internet, smartphones and social media you don’t need to have the backing of a 9-5 to launch your own side-hustle or business venture. Technology makes it easier than ever to start a business with limited funds.

Many students have found that simply expanding upon a hobby or interest, offering their services as photographers, graphic designers, or fitness bloggers, can provide them with a sizable cashflow, without adversely affecting their studies.

Your smartphone, a video editing app and simple hosting plans for platforms like WordPress or Wix can provide you with a professional and engaging online presence to draw in interested parties, without breaking the budget. While services like Survey Monkey and Mailchimp can provide you with the tools you need to connect with your audiences and manage your budding client relationships.

Even if your idea is a product or service which requires more complicated undertakings like creating prototypes or building and testing software, you don’t have to go full Bill Gates and quit college. While it’s unlikely you’ll land massive funding from a venture capital, crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo provide multiple opportunities for students to raise the money they need to take their projects from ideas to reality.

Being at University also provides unique opportunities and access resources that you would otherwise have to pay big money for. Many universities now even have their own entrepreneurial incubators to help fledgling businesses and start-ups with problems like finding funding, meeting spaces or invitations to networking events.

Of course, launching a side business isn’t a walk in the park, even with the additional time being at university or college might offer. It still requires sacrifices, and sometimes you’ll need to choose between a night out on the town, and spending time developing your ideas, researching your target market, and planning your strategy.

Perhaps the biggest reason why it really is feasible to run a business on the side of your studies, is that 8 out of 10 businesses fail. The risk of your idea failing is considerably lessened by the fact that it is not your sole avenue to gainful employment. You’ve still been earning a degree in a field and showing potential employers that you’re an entrepreneurial spirit, and a proactive individual, which may be the edge you need to help you stand out against others who chose the traditional university life.

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.

 

7 Tips for the Single Parent College Student

BY PAMELA CURRIER

Being a single parent isn’t the end of the world, and it certainly doesn’t mean that you can’t get your degree and have the career you’ve always wanted. You just have to work a bit harder, and do things differently than you would if you didn’t have kids. Many single parents are going back to school, not only because they want to better themselves and the lives of their children, but also because they want to set a good example for their children. If your family planning includes going back to college to make a better life for your family, here are some tips that will help make things a lot easier.

• Find Your Support Network: No man is an island, and no man stands alone. Everyone needs help once in a while, especially single parents trying to get an education. You need to set up your support system, which will include those who have always been your biggest cheerleaders. You need people in your life who are going to encourage you to go the distance, and help you get there.
• Secure Child Care: One of the biggest problems for single parents attending college is finding affordable child care. If you are lucky, you have a friend or family member who is willing to take on this job for little to no money. Otherwise, it is a good idea to start looking into on-campus child care, local daycare centers, etc. to find the best child care at the most reasonable price.
• Manage Your Time Wisely: You are going to have a lot on your plate, and if you don’t manage your time wisely, you are going to end up not being able to get everything done. Now is the time to set a schedule that includes everything you normally do with your children, classes, and study time. Get a good day planner, and block off time for classes and study. Then, you and your children will know when you have time for other things, including school plays, sports, story time at night, etc.
• Don’t Push Yourself: “If you are trying to juggle taking care of your children, classes, and a job, things are going to get pretty hectic, and you could end up burning yourself, and then you won’t be any good to anyone, including yourself,” says Dr. Pedram Bral at Manhattan Women’s Health & Wellness. It may be that you can’t take on as heavy of a course load as you would like. You may have to take fewer credits, which means that it will take longer to get your degree, but you will actually be able to put more time into your studies and do your best.
• Don’t Feel Guilty: Many parents feel guilty about attending college classes and studying when they could be spending that time with their children. They don’t realize just how much they are doing for their children, and that they should not feel guilty. When you return to school, not only are you getting a better career to earn more money for your family, you are a shining example for your children, and you will see the pride on their faces when you receive that diploma.
• Make Homework a Family Affair: You and your children are going to have homework now, so why not do it together? Not only is this a great way to bond, you also get to make sure that your children are getting their homework done, and that you are there to help them with any problems they may have. Also, when they see you studying hard, it is going to encourage them to do the same.
• Look at Alternate Learning Options: These days, it isn’t always necessary to physically be in a classroom. Most colleges and universities offer their programs online, so you can take the classes at home, and work around your own schedule instead of having to be in the classroom at a specific time. This gives you more flexibility, and the freedom to be at home more with your children.

Pamela Currier helps recent grads land the jobs of their dreams, she is a career coach and educator.

 

 

On Mon, Sep 25, 2017 at 10:22 PM, Pamela Currier <currierpamela@gmail.com

Survival Guide for the Introverted College Student

BY LORRAINE McKINNEY

 

For many people, college is as much about the experience and socializing as it is about getting an education. This is not the case for introverts. In fact, as much as they desire a good education, college life can be incredibly stressful for introverted people. Introverts are generally shy people, and don’t always do well in an atmosphere where they are expected to join in and take part, such as college. But, this doesn’t mean that introverts can’t have amazing college experiences. They just have to find ways to make it work for them.

1. Do what You Love – First of all, it is time to dive right into whatever you are truly passionate about. College is a great time to discover your talents and what you really love doing, and expand on them. You can do this on your own, and you don’t necessarily have to take part in groups in order to do what you love.
2. Find an Extroverted Friend – Often, introverts and extroverts make the best of friends, because they tend to balance out one another. An extrovert can help to push you out of your comfort zone and help you start enjoying life more, and you can help the extrovert learn how to be more comfortable being alone with themselves.
3. Participate Quietly – Unfortunately, classroom participation is often necessary to pass courses, and this can be difficult for the introvert. Start getting into the habit of sitting at the front of the class. Ask one question or make one comment per class. You don’t have to be loud, because you are at the front and you will be heard by the professor. You will have your classroom participation marks without having to feel like you are making a spectacle of yourself.
4. Smile – Even if you aren’t in the best of moods, smile as much as you can. “You can’t help but be in a better mood when you are smiling, and that is going to rub off on others. It may even help you to start becoming more outgoing, because when you smile at people, some are inevitably going to want to talk to you, and you will start getting more and more used to taking part in conversations with others,” says Dr. Ella Dekhtyar from Broadway Family Dental.
5. Find Your Voice – Just because you are shy, it doesn’t mean that you can’t make yourself be heard. You just have to find your voice. It may be that you are able to express yourself better in the form of a blog or social media. Find ways to express your ideas. The more good feedback you get, the more you will want to express yourself. In time, it may even help you to come out of your shell a bit and get more involved with others.
6. Join a Small Group – “If there is a club or a group on campus that interests you, and it isn’t a large organization with a lot of people, sign up for it. You can still be an introvert, but now you are also going to be interacting with others occasionally, which is what you need to make you feel more rounded and happy,” says Dr. Mila Cohen from Pediatricdentalnj.com. When meetings or get-togethers are over, you can go right back to being your introverted self.
7. Find Your Circle of Friends – No matter how introverted one is, they still need a close circle of friends. Now is the time for you to figure out who you want to be in your circle. You don’t have to go out and make a ton of new friends. Start out by hanging out with one or two people who you really like, and go from there.

 

Lorraine McKinney is an academic tutor and elearning specialist.

5 Ideas on How to Get International Experience Without Studying Abroad

BY SYLVIA KOHL

There are many ways to get international experience even if you can’t afford to study abroad. Doing this is essential if you want to boost your chances of getting a good job. According to some studies, over 80% of employers are actively seeking graduates with international experience in their CV. Luckily, you have plenty of internships and volunteering programs to choose from if going to a university abroad is impossible for you.

How to Get International Experience on Your Resume: 5 Ideas

1. Get an Unpaid Internship

A variety of colleges, universities, and businesses offer unpaid internships for students of different ages. In the US you can check out the US Department of State Student Internship Program and UCPF Internship Program. If you are interested in other countries, you can simply Google internships offered there. In case you are interested in a particular business, try contacting the company directly to find out if they have programs like this.

An unpaid internship might be easier to get as its requirements are usually lower than paid options. However, it requires a substantial investment. These projects are worth it if you get a tangible benefit from them. This includes college credit or a valuable addition to your CV considering your profession.

2. Get a Paid Internship

It’s usually harder to get international experience with a paid internship as many people are applying for it. However, the experience is truly invaluable as these programs are offered by reputed businesses, like Deloitte, L’Oreal, etc. There are also major programs that specialize in internships for various fields, like IAESTE Paid Technical Internships.

A paid internship is an excellent way to get actual work experience as well as some money for it. The point of such internship is to improve your professional skills and make an impressive addition to your resume. Therefore, in some cases, you might consider choosing an unpaid program over a paid one. Make your choices depending on the long-term impact of your internship.

3. Get Short-Term Work Abroad

There are dozens of programs that offer short-term work worldwide, like AuPair. However, you can also find this type of work by directly contracting businesses in your destination country. The primary factor to consider when applying for a short-term job is a visa. Most countries offer 3-month working visas that you can get with the help of the necessary paperwork provided by the employer.

Short-term jobs might be unavailable for some professions, like doctors, engineers, etc. Choose this option if your main goal is to make some money or if there is a business opportunity that will benefit your future.

4. Teach English Abroad

Teaching English is one of the best ways to get international experience if you want to feel truly accomplished by the end of it. Programs like Hanacore can help you find teaching jobs in your chosen corner of the world and arrange traveling papers.

The main benefit of teaching English abroad is not the fact that it’s an actual job, but the feeling of fulfillment that comes from it. To be able to help others change their lives by expanding their knowledge is a reward in itself.

5. Volunteer Abroad

Volunteering with the Red Cross or any other humanitarian organization is a fantastic experience for those who seek to rediscover themselves. Volunteering programs vary widely from building houses in African deserts to tending elephants in Asian jungles.

Seek those offers with international volunteering organizations, like Global Vision International or International Volunteer HQ.

Get International Experience and Change Your Future

There are many studies on the benefits of international experience, and although statistics vary, all of them show that it’s extremely valuable. Working and living abroad teaches a person a degree of independence, tenacity, and creativity that life at home can’t. Using one of the many volunteering and internship opportunities to get your international experience is sure to change you in many ways and boost your chances of employment.

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.