Commuter Safety Tips For College Students

BY BRIANNE SANDORF

Commuting to school is a far different beast from living on campus. While there are benefits to commuting (financial savings, living in non-student communities), it has its drawbacks. Commuting often means long travel times and can create a disconnect from on-campus activities. Most importantly, commuters also have unique safety concerns that on-campus students don’t deal with.

Here are some tips for commuting safely to your college campus.

Dress for the weather

Commuters who walk, bike, or use public transportation to campus are at the mercy of the elements. To avoid getting caught unprepared in unfavorable weather conditions, check the forecast before leaving in the mornings and dress accordingly.

On hot days, wear sunscreen and carry water. On cold days, dress warmly. This may mean wearing a hat, scarf, and/or gloves. If you do wear gloves, wear a pair with touchscreen-compatible tips. The last thing you want to do in the cold is remove your gloves to look something up or send a text.

Keep your vehicle secure

If you take a bike to school, keep it locked up. A stolen bike could strand you, which could lead to other safety problems.

Similarly, make sure you don’t park your car in a no-parking zone. Most colleges offer permits for on-campus parking. If you choose to park somewhere off campus, be aware of No Parking signs, fire hydrants, and red curbs. And don’t leave valuables in sight inside your car. You don’t want to tempt would-be thieves.

Keep emergency equipment in your car

Commuters who drive to school sometimes have to travel in rough weather. Or, even if it’s a mild, sunny day, your car could still break down.

First off, keep a car phone charger on hand so that you can call for help. Secondly, prepare for emergencies by keeping a roadside kit, a first aid kit, and a 72-hour kit in your backseat or trunk. 72-hour kits contain essentials like thermal blankets and enough food and water for three days. While most car trouble takes just hours to resolve, it’s better to be prepared with extra supplies than stranded with too few. If you live in a snowy area, you should also carry a shovel, an ice scraper, and rock salt.

Be a careful pedestrian

If you walk as part of your commute, follow traffic safety laws. At busy intersections, impatient students frequently dart into traffic during green lights. They make it to class on time…but they put themselves at risk of being hit.

It’s easy to tell yourself you’ll make it, especially when there are no cars in sight, but it’s dangerous to jaywalk or use a crosswalk without waiting for a traffic signal. Keep yourself safe by waiting.

Stay visible

Do you have early mornings or late nights on the road or at the bus stop? Wear something light, bright, and easy to see.

You can also consider wearing accessories that light up or carrying a flashlight. And, if you’re worried about being seen by the arriving bus, you can always turn your phone screen or flashlight on and wave it to make sure the bus doesn’t pass you by.

Defend yourself

When you’re walking or using public transportation, you might find yourself in an unfamiliar area or with someone you don’t know. Most people are harmless, but a small percentage are predators. So make sure you have a way to defend yourself.

Many college campuses don’t allow firearms, but some offer self-defense classes. You can also invest in pepper spray, a stun gun, or a keychain knife if your state allows it. As a last resort, thread your keys in between your fingers to create a makeshift weapon.

Have a plan for late nights

If you have to go to campus at night for a class or activity, be cautious. Walking around late is risky, especially if you’re on your own. Your first move should be to let someone (a roommate, a parent) know where you are and when you expect to arrive home.

Campus safety escorts are a common safety measure, so if your school has them, take advantage of the service. If you’re feeling unsafe, request an escort and stay put until they come. If you choose not to use an escort or your school doesn’t offer this service, stay in well-lit areas. Don’t venture off the beaten path, even if you have a good reason.

Brainstorm ideas for your specific commute

The tips listed here are useful, but they aren’t the only things you can do to protect yourself. For maximum commuter safety, think about your commute and identify any other potential concerns. Whether you walk, bike, drive, or take public transportation to campus, be aware of the risks and plan accordingly for a safe commute.

Byline: Brianne Sandorf has spent five years writing professional, research-based content. Previously, she worked on an award-winning gun safety course and served on a workplace safety committee. Brianne has a degree in English and creative writing from Westminster College.

8 Things to Consider When Choosing Student Housing

BY LINDA ANDERSON

Finding the right student accommodation is a crucial step in your college life. It is where you will live, study and spend a large part of your college life and hence, it is important to make the right choice. Finding a good student housing near your university is not very different from searching villas for sale in Dubai: there are plenty available, but to find the right one, you need to take into consideration several factors.

Distance

Distance from your classes is very important as you would not want to waste your time and money in commute. It is best to look for a property from where you can either walk or cycle or just take one single transport without changing, to reach your classes.

Area

Do a detailed research on the area before you pick your housing. Make sure it is safe, peaceful and has the necessary connectivity. A good location is worth sacrificing some amenities. For example, when buying an apartment, you would rather go for a smaller place in Citywalk apartments than a 3BHK somewhere less posh.

Budget

Fix your budget before you go house hunting and start looking a little lower than your higher cap. Under no circumstances should you exceed your maximum budget. Don’t go overboard in a rush and get stuck with paying more than you can afford.

Convenience

When selecting your student housing make sure you look into the necessary conveniences such as supermarkets, affordable eating options, medical help, connectivity etc so that you do not have to spend a ton of money on travelling out of the neighbourhood every time you need the smallest thing.

Sharing companions

If you are planning to move into a shared accommodation with your friends make sure you know these people, their habits and quirks before you decide to move in. If your friends are looking for an accommodation together, always get a place which has enough space to provide privacy to everyone.

Bathroom

A good bathroom is a nonnegotiable part of life. So, before you go ahead and sign up for a housing, make sure you check the bathroom and use the toilet to ensure that it is in flawless working condition. You do not want to de-clog your toilet with a plunger every time you use it.

Temperature control

While it does not sound the most exciting thing to look into, temperature control is an important feature you need to look into, in your student housing. When you come home in a freezing weather or sweltering heat, you would definitely want to come back to comfortable moderate temperature.

Personality

You are here to study and to do that the best, your housing should be suited to your personality. Factors like whether you like friendly, chatty neighbours or a place with pin drop silence, whether your choice is a place with a touch of nature or the bustle of the city etc. should help you find the right place.

Your student housing is going to be your home where you will live, study and make memories, so take your time and choose carefully.

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.

How to Get Out of Student Loan Debts Slowly but Surely

BY LINDA ANDERSON

Student loans are the harsh reality of education. Every year thousands of students are faced with crippling loans in exchange for a degree but given the current political priorities, there is not much hope. Whether you start working immediately or start a business with the help of a Hounslow London based firm like Fusion Accountants, you need to ensure that you have a solid income and some goals. You might feel the urgency to get rid of your student loans but do not mess up your finances in the process. Instead start working on a sure shot, if necessary slow, plan to get done your student loan debts.

Make a budget that you can stick to

It is a good idea to make a budget for your expenses so that you can allocate a certain amount towards the repayment of your student loans. This will help you manage your finances better as you allot money for all your expenses and don’t have to worry about spending all your money without paying your loan installment. Make your budget realistic and not too rigid so that you don’t have to cheat on the budget often.

Never miss a payment date

Missing your loan payment date can be extremely bad for you. It is definitely not good for your finances if your loan payments go into default as it can lead to adding fines of quite exorbitant amounts at times, to your next payment. This simply increases your student loan value. Moreover, a default payment is terrible for your credit scores. If necessary, enroll in an auto payment plan which deducts a fixed amount towards your loan automatically.

Make extra payments whenever you can

Whenever you come across any extra money, instead of spending it on something indulgent, invest it on pre-payment of your student loan. If you get a little bonus or raise at work, or even a birthday or holiday gift of money from your family, resist the temptation to spend it on something fancy which you know you do not really need. Instead make an early payment on your student loan to get out of your debt. This will help you get done with debt sooner than your estimated goal.

Look into employment ideas

The best way to repay your loan is to earn more so that you can make the payments.  A smart way to do this is to take up another job to supplement your income. But if you don’t have the time, you might look into business opportunities or freelancing which will help you earn yourself an extra income with flexibility of time and money. You can take help of a chartered accountant to maximise your income and thus, to repay your loans quicker.

Taking better care of your finances will help you repay your debt easily as well as to save up some money for the future. Do not get into any other debt and simply look after your credit score and it will be soon that you are done paying your student loan debts.

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.

Can’t Find Your Focus in College? 7 Tips to Overcome Attention Issues

BY ANTON LUCANUS

 Blame smartphones: Students are more distracted than they were a few years ago.

Thanks to our digital devices, the average person’s attention span is now a mere eight seconds. That’s four seconds shorter than when Microsoft researchers first studied the subject in 2000, or around the start of the mobile movement.

Although spending less time on your smartphone is a start, it’s only part of the solution. Internships, test prep, and everyday college life involve distractions that can’t be put away in your pocket.

Retrain Your Brain

When your mind is on your inbox or Facebook feed all day, it shows. Whether you’re traveling, working, or taking summer classes, you need your focus. Here’s how to find it:

Skip Illicit Substances

 Pharmaceutical drugs may help some students cram for tests, but they’re a short-term solution at best. Not only is off-prescription use illegal, but ADHD treatment experts are finding alternative solutions are more effective even in clinical cases. Plus, amphetamine abuse raises health risks, from heart arrhythmias to sleep disturbances to addiction.

 Get More Sleep

 If you’ve ever pulled an all-nighter, you know how much lack of sleep scrambles your brain. Harvard Medical School warns that sleep deprivation inhibits acquisition, consolidation, information recollection. Without adequate sleep, your short-term memory can’t store the information you need for complex reasoning. Particularly the night before an exam or job interview, be sure you get at least eight hours of sleep. Importantly, stay up to date with the latest trends in sleep science, for example the benefits of weighted blankets. This will help reduce insomnia, sleep apnea, and other related conditions.

Get More Cardiovascular Exercise

 There’s a reason universities encourage physical activity, and it’s not just that sports teams attract students and alumni contributions. In both children and adults with clinical attention disorders, physical exercise improves cognitive performance and social-emotional functioning. In order to maximize the functioning of your brain – and thereby enhance cognitive functioning – you need healthy blood flow and circulation throughout your body. Thus, it should come as little surprise that aerobic exercise that targets the body’s cardiovascular system is key to enhancing intelligence.

The health and fitness community has long suggested getting at least 20 to 30 minutes of moderate to rigorous physical activity per day. For best results, set your sights a little higher and go for 45 to 60 minutes of uninterrupted exercise.

One way to achieve this is simply to get a dog as it has been scientifically proven that having a dog will encourage owners to lead a less sedentary life. Roy Stein, dog lover and founder of Babelbark has introduced a health monitor on their app that can track your dog’s activity level on your phone.

“More than half of America and their pets are overweight, do yourself and your furry friend a favor and get off that couch,” says Stein who believes that having a canine companion can help fight obesity in America.

Meditate

 If you’ve never meditated before, know that it’s a lot less intimidating than it sounds. Try sitting under a tree and listening to your breath for a few minutes. Don’t judge your breathing, yourself, or other people around you. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your breath. After 10 minutes, quietly open your eyes and ask yourself how you feel.

Eat Lightly

 You know from experience that you shouldn’t skip lunch before a big test. As it turns out, you also shouldn’t overeat. Yale Medical School researchers found that moderate hunger might stimulate focus because it marshals the mind’s resources around a single task. Go in slightly hungry to a long exam or job interview, but eat a hundred calories or so every couple of hours. That way, you’ll stay in that sweet spot where hunger’s attentional advantages outweigh the stomach’s cravings for food.

Hydrate

 Especially if you work or exercise outside in summer, it’s easy to get dehydrated. An Emory University study found that just two hours of yard work is dehydrating enough to impair attention. Whether you’re outdoors or indoors, carry a water bottle with you. If you need a reminder to drink from it, set an hourly reminder on your phone or watch.

Minimize Multitasking

 You might think multitasking makes you more productive, but you’d be wrong. When Stanford University researcher Clifford Nass studied frequent multitaskers, he found that they actually fared worse than their peers at distinguishing relevant and irrelevant details. This applies to people of almost all professions, from a medical doctor to a personal injury lawyer. Instead of trying to juggle multiple tasks at a time, prioritize. First tackle the most mentally challenging and time-consuming ones — those that require the most concentration — before turning one by one to the easier things.

You can’t escape technology in the classroom or workplace, but you can protect your mind in other ways. When in doubt, follow mom’s advice: Don’t use drugs, get enough sleep, eat right, and drink plenty of water. And if you forget, she’ll surely remind you.

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.

 

 

How Much Does Your College Lifestyle Affect Your Future Career

BY SAMANTHA BROWN

 

We make a lot of different lifestyle choices in college, and most of them are aimed towards making the most of the four years of freedom. There is little thought about consequences- after all, how much can these choices affect our future life?

The truth is, the choices that we make during our college life do have a profound effect on our future career and life. Your college life can mould you into the person that you become in the future, which is why it is important to adopt certain habits that will prove beneficial to your career post-college. Here are some of the ways in which decisions during your college life can directly affect your future:

1. Not saving money

College life comes with its fair share of expenses, and almost every day students are required to spend on something. While some expenses, like textbooks and rent, are unavoidable, others can be easily prevented. It would do you good if you cultivate the habit of saving money from early on in your college days because this will help instil a philosophy of financial responsibility and saving, which will benefit you when entering the job market. With dedication and willpower, saving money can be a rewarding habit. Think of it as an investment- the more you save now, the less financial stress and increased financial freedom you’ll have in the future.

2. Choosing your accommodation

It might sound unlikely, but the kind of place you live in during your college days also plays a role in how you will turn out to be in the future. Living alone develops a sense of freedom, independence and enables you to better take control of your life. For example, you can choose any home office furniture you like, you can make your own shopping decisions in short, you become a free spirit.

On the other hand, living with roommates can save money, develop friendships and a sense of comradery that may prove advantageous for surviving college and growing as a person. The enhanced social setting of shared living environments can help you develop precious contacts that may come in handy in the future.

3. Borrowing excessive money

This is one of the bad habits that you should strive to avoid in college.  Because of increased expenses in various fields, students are compelled to borrow money from their peers or go into credit card debt. This bad habit can affect your future endeavours as well. If you develop a habit of borrowing money without any idea about how you are going to return it, it can reflect badly upon your name in your future job industry. Also, credit card debt is a real and serious thing that can land you in jail if not cleared on time, so be sure to make careful choices about your expenses and how much money you borrow.

4. Spending without consequence

We are all tempted to spend more than we can afford to in our college days. There is so much to do, and so much to buy. However, uncontrolled spending can lead to developing the dangerous habit of poor financial responsibility. In business, you will be required to make strategic decisions- decisions that will allow you to make the most profit. If you are too keen on spending unnecessarily, your business may take a turn for the worse. So keep an eye on your expenses, and try not to go overboard with the shopping and takeout.

 

What you should learn from college- to be financially secure.

No matter where your life takes you after your college days are over, and no matter what field you start working in- one thing is for sure, you will be required to be financially responsible. Whether you are running your own business or working in the corporate sector, the money that flows in will vanish quickly if you do not make an effort to hold on to it.

Developing responsible spending habits is an important aspect that you should start working on early in your college life. We say college life because college is the time when you begin taking charge of your own finances. How you spend money and or what you do with it, is entirely your own business. So, taking this into consideration, it is important for you to take your finances seriously. The more you save, the more you can assure yourself of a financially secure future.

What about the fun?

There’s an age-old adage which says that one does not need money to have fun. And that stands true. The occasional splurge is fine, but if you spend an exorbitant amount of money every day for the sake of fun, it will become impossible for you to save any amount for your future prospects.

The best way to deal with the temptation to spend money is to plan out your expenses. Make sure that your necessities are covered, and you are putting in a certain amount in the bank each month under your savings account. Use the rest to have the time of your life. Trust us, years later, you will thank yourself for the money you put aside.

Conclusion

Everybody loves college life, and it is the prime time for individuals to let their hair down, learn life lesson, and (occasionally) be carefree. However, a little amount of sacrifice during these days can translate into a lot of security during the future. Your college life will affect your prospects, not only by sharpening your skills in your particular field but also by making you more worldly-wise. The experience and exposure you gain during your college life will work wonders for your future career prospects!

By-line

Samantha Brown is a freelance writer who specializes on carrier guidance, she is also motivational speaker and author

 

 

Bad Money Habits Developed in College: How to Get Rid of Them

By Sienna Walker

Students have a tough time. It’s difficult to be a full time student and keep your head above water. School is expensive, stressful, and time consuming. Many students also work part time to supplement their budgets. There’s a lot to juggle, and it’s easy for highly important priorities to get lost in the shuffle. This often leads to students making some glaring mistakes with their money, and unfortunately, some of these habits stick with them long after graduation.

1. Throwing Money at Junk Food

When you’re a busy student, the idea of grocery shopping and preparing meals feels almost impossible. Instead, you order pizza or settle for soggy, fatty drive-thru burgers. Of course these meals aren’t healthy – that’s a separate debate all on its own. In truth, setting a grocery budget and cooking your own meals is healthier for both your body and your bank account. You might still be leading a busy life after graduation, especially if you’re working hard at your dream career, but your time can be mitigated by meal prepping on Sunday nights.

2. Using Credit Cards like a “Get Out of Jail Free” Card

Credit cards can sometimes be helpful in an emergency, but if paying your water bill every month is an emergency, it’s time to do some restructuring.

Relying on credit cards for basic living expenses, like rent, groceries, or utilities, typically indicates that you are living beyond your means. You’re never going to get ahead of yourself if you’re charging the most basic things to your credit card. If it’s on your credit card, that means you can’t afford it. Cut back in other areas and save the credit card for unplanned expenses or a (very) occasional fun night out.

3. Improperly Managing Your Savings

Having a savings account is excellent. You probably had one in college, even if the amount was less than impressive. You may have grown into the habit of tossing some cash into your savings account and allowing your willpower to take over so you don’t dip into it. Unfortunately, savings won’t really do much to help that money grow.

Instead of relying on a low interest rate to accumulate over time, consider investing your savings. There are a wealth of options for investments. There’s the traditional route of the stock market, which many busy people choose for its minimal level of commitment. Then there are slightly more labor intensive methods, like residential real estate investing. Choosing an investment method largely depends on how hands on you want to be.

4. Keeping Your Budget in Your Brain

Once people get into the swing of things, they tend to operate by force of habit. They roughly know when all the bills are due, and a quick check of their bank account balance lets them know where they’re at. Without an actual budget however, they’re likely to struggle. You might have got by without one when you were still in college, as there were fewer expenses to remember, and perhaps you even had the help of your parent. Now however, if you want to have more money, you need to plan carefully, review your spending, and determine where cuts can be made.

Create a calendar and mark dates with what specific amount of money is going in and coming out at any given moment. Keep your receipts for the things that you purchase. Add up what you spend and compare it with what you have left. Would it be a wise decision to cut cable TV and switch to online streaming services? Would a budget grocery store save you enough money in food costs to cover a bill every month? You won’t know without a stable budget.

You learned a lot in college, and you can learn a lot now. Your circumstances and your income are likely very different from the way they were when you were a student. The sooner you teach yourself to be an expert at managing your money, the more money you’ll have for the next big chapter in your life.

 

About the author:

Sienna Walker is an experienced careers and self-improvement blogger with a deep love for creating smart, passive income. She is often found on educational forums, sharing her learning, work, and money management tips with students. Privately, a huge fan of traveling.

 

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Use These Job Boards to Find Your Ideal Nonprofit Job

BY MAX WOOLF

You’ve just graduated from college. A nice graduation cap sits lonely on your dormitory desk, and now the pressure is to get a job.

But unlike your roommates, you don’t see yourself working at a Fortune 500 company toiling over for a paycheck. Quite the opposite, you’re an engaged member of society who wants to give back to the community.

Now—while jumping from college to nonprofit might seem everything but easy, there are some great job boards that can help jumpstart your nonprofit career.

Choose a nonprofit job title

More often than not, nonprofit job titles are similar to their non-philanthropy counterparts. The only difference is that you need to signal to a job board that you’re looking for a nonprofit position.

Examples:

• Non Profit Marketing Specialist
• Nonprofit Accountant
• NGO Project Manager

List of nonprofit job boards

Once you know how to pick a nonprofit title, it’s time to head over to job boards. Below is a list of 10 nonprofit job boards that will help you make the world a better place.

But don’t get overwhelmed. You don’t have to use them all because many repeat the same postings. So pick only one or two.

1. The National Council of Nonprofits Job Board. More than 1,000 nonprofit jobs.
2. Philanthropy News Digest’s Nonprofit Job Board. A stunning 650 nonprofit and NGO jobs.
3. The Nonprofit Times Career Center. 500+ nonprofit jobs for employees of all levels, including college graduates.
4. NonprofitJobs.org. A whopping 500 charity jobs around the U.S.
5. The Bridgespan Group’s Nonprofit Job Board. While most of the postings are geared toward directs, you can find a few entry-level offers.
6. HERC Jobs Page. About 40,000 jobs in education, many of which are nonprofit.
7. National Association of Social Workers careers page. A little over 650 nonprofit jobs.
8. WorkforGood.org. Over 300 nonprofit postings.
9. FoundationList.org. Around 60 jobs in nonprofit for entry-level candidates.
10. SustainableBusiness.com’s Green Dream Jobs Page. A job board with a focus on green jobs.

Find nonprofit organizations in your area with Google Local

If you’re curious about nonprofit organizations near you, you can find them easily with a simple Google search. Here’s what you’ll need to type in Google:

 

• Nonprofits near me
• Non-profit organizations nearby
• Local nonprofits
• NGOs in my area

Once you’ve run the search, Google will show you a map with a list of nonprofit organizations in the vicinity.

Best Non Profit Organizations

While job boards are a great source to find a nonprofit job, you can apply directly on the nonprofit organization’s website.

Below is a list of 15 best nonprofit organizations you can work for.

1. 350.org
2. Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty
3. Alzheimer’s Association
4. American Civil Liberties Union and Foundation
5. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
6. American Humanist Association
7. American Kidney Fund
8. Animal Legal Defense Fund
9. American National Red Cross
10.  American Cancer Society
11. Best Friends Animal Society
12. Boys & Girls Clubs of America
13. Catholic Charities USA
14. Center for Reproductive Rights
15. Committee to Protect Journalists

Don’t have enough experience? Volunteer to get your foot in the door

Here’s the thing—most nonprofit organizations operate like regular businesses. They look for candidates that have the right mix of hard and soft skills necessary to excel.

The problem is that while you live and breathe helping others, you may not have professional experience at this stage.

Good news? You can become a volunteer for some time and offer your assistance at a nonprofit. For example, you can run a Google search for volunteer at a local (animal shelter), and the search engine will present you with plentiful opportunities.

As Maciej, a career expert at ResumeLab, puts it,

Once you have tangible volunteering experience on your resume, you’ll be the first in line to get a job at a nonprofit.

Conclusion

If you’re passionate about helping the world and giving back, working at a nonprofit will be a life-changing experience for you. As a side-benefit, you’ll work shoulder to shoulder with people who share the same passion.

So dive in and start looking for your first nonprofit job!

Bio

Max Woolf is a career expert at ResumeLab. He’s passionate about helping people land their dream jobs through the expert career industry coverage. In his spare time, Max enjoys biking and traveling to European countries. You can hit him up on LinkedIn.

PDF Tools with Multiple Features and Functions for Students and Teachers

BY DAVID GUTIERRREZ

 

To be successful in the academic environment, it’s vital to have the right tools besides all the other necessary skills. As the majority of the student’s and teacher’s work is online, finding the adequate tools which will improve the quality of your work is no longer a recommendation but an imperative for everyone who wants to succeed in this environment.

One of the problems you might stumble upon is when dealing with PDF documents. How to modify these files or convert them into other formats is among the common questions. Not to mention that strict deadlines only increase the level of frustration when you’re unable to access an important file.

Luckily, there are plenty of PDF tools in the market that will help you manage any PDF file you get. In this article, we bring you only the ones that are very beneficial for students and teachers.

 

#1 Adobe Reader XI

You’ve probably already heard about the robust Adobe Reader. It’s one of the best quality tools when it comes to viewing and printing your PDF files. You can also interact with the content within the PDF files, including multimedia. Other features you might find useful are adding and verifying a digital signature, creating and filling out PDF forms, annotating on these PDF pages and so on.

 

#2 Total Mail Converter Pro

This tool easily converts MSG and EML to PDF, DOC and all the other file formats. Unlike the other email converters which only extract and save files in the original format, Total Mail Converter Pro also converts attachments. If you received an email with a file in the attachment, this tool will convert the message and the attachment into PDF. It will save you hours you would usually spend on doing this manually. This way, students and teachers could invest their time into more valuable assignments.

 

#3 Doro PDF Writer

If you’re looking for a perfect tool for printing PDF files, Doro PDF writer should be your choice. Unlike regular printers, it’s installed as a virtual print driver that can convert printable documents and images into PDF format. You can even set the author name and protect it with a unique password before you decide to convert it. One of the abilities that are very helpful for both students and teachers is the enabling and disabling copying, pasty and printing of the documents.

 

#4 PDFTK Builder

Preparing various materials and gathering them in one place is usually a time-consuming action, especially if we’re talking about the PDF format. With PDFTK Builder, you can reorder or merge selected pages in a snap. Moreover, you can split and rotate pages or even add stamp and encryption to your PDF file. Regarding the benefits of this tool in education, it’s really helpful when you need to gather all of your notes into one document or rotate pages when creating your own study material.

 

#5 jPDF Tweak

Just like the above-mentioned tool, jPDF Tweak lets you merge, split, reorder and rotate the pages of your document. You can even add watermarks and encryption, and also digitally sign your PDF files. You will find numerous features for attaching files to PDF and editing metadata. It’s very useful as it provides truly a lot for one tool, but keep in mind you will need to have Java 5 to run it.

Conclusion

You won’t make a mistake by choosing any of the PDF tools on our list. The only mistake you could make is ignoring the potential of these tools and spend unnecessary hours managing all of those PDF files you need for your studies. Choose the ones that suit your preferences and start investing that time where it could be truly beneficial for 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.

     

Things You Should Know About Sports Scholarships

BY MELISSA BURNS

 

Many young people dream of getting sports scholarship, play their favorite sport, and later become rich and famous. However, before you start dreaming big, it is important to check out the realities about these awards. The following are some important things you should know about sports scholarships.

• The odds of getting big sports scholarship are very minimal. A stunning fact is that only one percent of high school sports athletes get these scholarships to continue at good universities and colleges. The odds are terrible so even odds converter cannot help you get such scholarship because luck is very much involved in this matter. Even those that get these scholarships later end up a bit disappointed knowing that the amount received is not as high as they expected.
• Full sports scholarships are very rare to find. They cover only the biggest and most popular sports. Also these scholarships are usually very small. All other sports beyond the most popular ones are regarded as equivalency sports. The main athletic association dictates how much money can be spent on a program and coaches can slice and divide these awards as they wish, which often leads to very small scholarships.
• Do not fall for sweet words and flattery. Usually coaches tell young athletes that the university they work for has a lot of scholarship money to give out, but often that is not the case. They will say or do anything to attract a young prospect, so take everything that is said with a dose of doubt.
• Verbal commitment to a sports program does not mean anything. There are many coaches that tell young high school athletes that they want them badly for their team. Then these kids can say they commit verbally, but that is not a guarantee that they will end up at that university. The coach can easily change his opinion and say that they do not want the young athlete later. Then you cannot do anything about it.
• Playing sports at college requires hard work, strong commitment and discipline. Many college athletes do not have enough time to do anything else in their young lives besides sports. The hours they spend on training and playing are often insane. The rigorous regime is not for everyone and many students find it very difficult to balance between sports and their studies.
• Videos of you playing sports are not very helpful. This is a sad fact, but close to the truth. Coaches do not want to watch hours and hours of lengthy videos of high school athletes performing sports. Yes, they are checking videos of top athletes, but only for a minute or two. If you send a ten minute video of your sports skills to the coach, chances are high that the coach will not see it fully. A much better thing to do is post your video on YouTube and if you are that good then someone will likely notice you and approach you.

Knowing what’s vital to focus on increases your chances of getting that scholarship you’ve been eyeing for a while. Being persistent and dedicated to building your young sports career is the way to go, however, don’t be unrealistic. Pay attention to how others are getting their sports scholarships and learn from them.

Nothing is impossible but before getting all of your hopes up, make sure you truly do your best while playing because with or without that scholarship, you want to grow up to become a respected sports professional.

Melissa Burns graduated from the faculty of Journalism of Iowa State University. Nowadays she is an entrepreneur and independent journalist. 

     

Questions to Ask a Potential Roommate When Living Off Campus

BY ELAINE THOMPSON

 As you leave home for college,don’t forget the most important part of finding a comfortable living situation away from campus—finding a roommate you get along with. After all, there’s no RA to make sure your new roommate follows the rules, and it’s a lot harder to get out of a lease with a landlord than it is to switch dorm rooms.

The following are ten questions you should ask to make sure your roommate is the right match.

1. How much time do you like to spend at home?

When looking for a roommate match, it’s important to figure out if your lifestyles and schedules mesh. If you’re a homebody who likes to hang out with a roommate at the apartment, choosing a roommate who’s always on the go may not work out. But if you like to stay home and like your alone time, a roommate that’s out and about could be the perfect match.

2. Early to bed, or late to rise?

Another lifestyle question. If you’re an early riser and your roommate is up until sunrise, you can expect some disturbed sleep. Likewise, if you like to stay up late and your roommate is demanding quiet hours after 8pm, you’ll find yourselves at odds. Apartment living isn’t quite as up-close-and-personal as dorm living, but you’ll still be sharing a space, so matching up sleep schedules will save a lot of headaches and a lot of cranky mornings.

3. How often do you check in with roommates?

Are you someone who checks in with your roommates often, or do you tend to keep to yourself? Are you looking for a roommate who’ll keep tabs on you and one you can keep tabs on? You should find a roommate with a similar stance on this, so that you can come to an agreement on how long without contact before getting worried. California is a safe state when it comes to missing persons, but you definitely don’t want a roommate who’s not going to notice you’ve been gone days at a time.

4. How do you feel about smoking, drinking, and recreational drug use?

For some roommates, drinking in the apartment, smoking in the apartment, or drug use in the apartment can be a dealbreaker. For others, not having a welcome home for these activities is a dealbreaker. Make sure you’re on the same page when it comes to these “recreational pursuits.”

5. Do you play a lot of video games?

You might be surprised to know that gaming can actually have a huge impact on life at home. Video and computer games, especially ones that use streaming and have chat features, can use up a lot of your wifi bandwidth. Having a roommate who is constantly pwning n00bs while you’re studying can be especially annoying when your laptop screen is stuck on the spinning wheel of death right as you’re trying to submit an assignment.

6. What is your romantic situation?

Having a roommate with a significant other often means basically having two roommates for the rent-paying price of one. If you’re opposed to someone always having “company,” be up front about that before signing a lease—and do them the same courtesy by sharing your own relationship status.

7. What are your feelings on pets?

Another thing roommates need to agree on right away is the presence of pets in your place. Besides obvious lease rules about owning a pet or the added cost to rent if there’s a pet in the house, if you’re allergic to dogs or cats and your potential roommate has a furry friend, that obviously won’t work. Beyond allergies, some people just don’t like dogs or cats—or prefer them at a distance. Get animal-aligned before moving in.

8. What are your feelings on having a gun in the house?

Some people like to have a firearm in the house for safety, for recreational shooting, or for hunting. Others are vehemently opposed to having a weapon at home. This is an often-over-looked point, but a huge safety step when you’re living with someone new. And you should definitely make sure that if your incoming roommate does have a firearm, that it was legally obtained including a background check.

9. Do you plan on having friends over often?

Are you a social butterfly who likes your living space to be a hub of activity? Or do you prefer to keep the party away from where you sleep? If you and your roommate have conflicting ideas about residential socializing, it can make things pretty darn uncomfortable.

10. [Your question here]

Of course, only you can know best who you’re going to jive with and how you want to be able to mesh with your roommates. While it’s always a good idea to ask the basics and make sure the person you’re going to be living with will keep your home environment a safe space, it’s important to ask questions that communicate your personal values as well. The better aligned you and your off-campus roommate are, the more harmonious life will be.

Finding a roommate who matches you on every little quirk is impossible. But by asking insightful questions (and picking up on their general vibe) you can take some healthy steps to ensure that your off-campus experience will be safe, freeing, and fun.

 

Elaine Thompson is a graduate of Westminster College in Salt Lake City where she got her BA in Communication. Alongside a fulltime job, Elaine enjoys the hustle and writes for multiple online publications.