Common Myths Surrounding Online Education.

Common Myths Surrounding Online Education.

By Danika McClure 

 

• Now that it’s become apparent that online education is here to stay, with millions of students expressing a preference for online learning, more students, both traditional and nontraditional, are weighing the pros and cons of online degree programs.

• Online degrees have come a long way in recent years, and while popularity has risen continuously, myths and misconceptions continue to exist. Below, we explore some of the most Online courses are not an easier alternative to traditional classrooms

 

 

For quite some time, online courses have been incorrectly viewed as an easier alternative to traditional college courses. While it’s apparent that online courses might have a greater degree of flexibility, many students and professors agree that courses delivered in an online format might be more challenging and more time consuming–especially for those who balance work and school.

 

“I’m not gonna tell anyone that it was easy. It was definitely hard. It takes a lot of discipline and sacrifice,” notes former Northeastern University student, Michelle Tolin, who graduated from the university’s Online Master of Science in Taxation program in 2012. “I had to get my family on board, knowing that coming home and flipping on the TV wasn’t going to be an option after work.”

 

Tolin’s experience echoes that of many busy working professionals who use online education as a means of advancing their career. For dedicated students who are able to juggle multiple responsibilities, online learning is a great option. Those looking to seek an easy alternative won’t find it in an accredited online course.

 

2. Online course credits are not accepted or respected by employers

 

A decade ago, students, educators and employers viewed online education skeptically. Now that colleges and universities have begun introducing their own online degree programs, skepticism surrounding online degrees has been resolved and replaced with acceptance. Some employers even consider online degrees to be an advantage in the workplace, as it shows that the candidates are able to juggle multiple responsibilities and commitments while earning their degree.

 

The quality of online education has advanced greatly in recent years. So long as your school of choice is accredited, has an established reputation, and you display the skills necessary to get the job done, students should see no difference in the treatment of their degree.

 

3. Only unqualified professors teach online courses

 

Over the years, the growth of Massive Open Online Courses and other examples of online classes boasting hundreds of thousands of students, questions have arisen about faculty and the quality of teaching in online courses.

 

Staff and faculty will change depending on the school you attend. Some universities will have dedicated online professors, while other schools’ online programs are taught by the same faculty present in an in-person setting. Arizona State University, a university acclaimed for its innovative online degree programs, is one such school whose quality faculty teach both in-person and online.

 

“Students enrolled online through Arizona State University have the opportunity to learn from some of the best and brightest in their fields, as our online courses are taught by the same internationally recognized and award-winning faculty members who teach in our on-ground programs.”

 

According to eLearners, this practice has been adopted by many schools, noting that at least 34 percent of college faculty have experience teaching online courses, a number that is rapidly growing. Furthermore, they note that experienced teachers are just as likely to be teaching online as those with less than 10 years of experience.

 

4. There is no personal attention given from the instructor

 

Many students are wary of taking online courses because they worry that they will have fewer opportunities to communicate with their professor or classmates in an online setting. Many suggest, however, that this fear is unfounded, with students finding they actually feel more connected to their professors than they did in a traditional classroom.

 

In an online setting, most professors log in to check on students daily, looking to answer questions, concerns about assignments, and are typically able respond to students in a timely manner. Additionally, the online setting provides means for students to discuss problems with their peers if the professor isn’t readily available. While online courses are individually oriented, collaboration is frequent and encouraged.

 

5. All online courses are self-paced

 

Online courses are often praised for their flexibility, as they allow working students and parents the opportunity to fit their coursework around their busy lives. However, this does not mean that online courses are self paced–in fact, for most online courses, the opposite is true.

Many online courses follow a course schedule that features regular due dates, test days, and deadlines, just like your average traditional course. Students enrolled in online courses can expect more flexibility than one would normally have in a traditional course, but regular participation and adherence to deadlines is important in both the online and face-to-face environment.

 

With the number of degree options available to students, choosing a degree path has become more complicated than ever. Not only do students have the option of choosing between small town colleges and Ivy Leagues, they also have the option to take these courses in person or online.

 

Online learning has become increasingly sophisticated in recent years, yet despite this, myths and misconceptions still remain prevalent in the education sphere. Many of these rumors are best addressed by recognizing that online education is neither better nor worse than traditional learning, but a different means of learning that will benefit some learners better than others.
Danika McClure is a writer and musician from the northwest who sometimes takes a 30 minute break from feminism to enjoy a tv show. You can follow her on twitter @sadwhitegrrl

TENETS OF GREEK LIFE: Recreating the Brand

By Johnathan Kellz

 

The Greek Life is a phrase used to describe all Greek Letter Organizations. In a college setting, to live the life, you accept the tenets of the life by being a member of a sorority or fraternity.

Anyone who lives The Greek Life understands the principals or pillars of the life: leadership, scholarship, philanthropy, and fellowship (sisterhood / brotherhood). However, I put to you that another dimension exists, that there are tenets to The Greek Life as well. Precepts and doctrines are introduced during recruitment, instilled during rush, and cemented over your scholastic career.

In time past, living The Greek Life did not stop at graduation. Networking in and away from a personal legacy was significant but the practice is fading for many. We are now living in a world post 2008 and perhaps it is time to change the brand. Perhaps it is time to make The Greek Life more sought after much longer after commencement ceremonies.

There can be an economic boon of embracing and supporting a person’s affiliation with The Greek Life as well as the hosting college by embracing The Tenets of Greek Life.

 

PRIDE

In order to have any positive impact on an organization, there first needs to be pride in that organization. This tenet of The Greek Life occurs the moment you are pledged. Even before initiation, a sense of pride is present as your very specific legacy begins.

• Pride in the sense of community
• Pride in the philanthropic causes your house supports
• Pride in your brothers and sisters
• Pride of traditions and rituals
• Pride in your leadership or in your leaders who give you something to strive for
• Pride in academic achievement due to the support you receive from your fraternity or sorority
• Pride in your legacy

Whatever it is about being part of something bigger than you are, which instills a sense of pride, will drive enduring success.

How does pride drive enduring success? Think WOMM (word of mouth marketing) otherwise known as Viral Marketing.  Theresa Howard wrote a USA Today article in 2005 about Viral Advertising, she wrote that “It’s a marketing strategy that involves creating an online message that’s novel or entertaining enough to prompt consumers to pass it on to others — spreading the message across the Web like a virus…”

If you live The Greek Life in a way that you can be proud of, broadcast it. Bringing the spotlight to the positivity of living the life will recruit the public and alumni to support your college and your house.

RESPONSIBILITY

Every student living The Greek Life owns a responsibility to their house and later, their chapter. This tenet, to be effective, should be life long and exist under a very large umbrella. Under this cover a member should always be aware of their actions and how they reflect upon their house, college, and legacy.

Only if pride exists can this tenet be long lasting. Only if you are responsibly committed to your legacy and what it stands for, can your pride be sustained.

Where is your responsibility and how does it endure in the following scenarios?

• Perception of the member through the legacy of The Greek Life
• Supporting the brand
• Alumni continuing to support the chapter, house, and institution
• Perpetual philanthropic involvement
• Support of brothers or sisters

The Greek Life, in order to become a banner that people recognize and respect rather than smile upon as a pleasant memory or entitlement must surpass the great time had while initially participating in the life, yes? The Greek Life is a privilege and was treated as such since recruitment.

We are all living commercials for something. In recreating the brand you can put an exclamation point on it. In college, after or whenever you are advertising the success The Greek Life afforded you, wear the colors, a pin, or anything that sends the message. Own rather than rock the gear from the Stanford Bookstore. For your house, consider Something Greek and proudly display the letters if you can or the words when you cannot. I believe you would find the appropriate symbol to convey your pride.

PERDURABILITY

This tenet involves a commitment to keep your chapter viable and everlasting as personalities, national focus, trends, and fads, all change. The chapter must be perdurable.

How you keep your house and chapter in the public eye and weighted for consideration when listed on a resume exists not only through your actions (as they are intangible) but through tangible accomplishments that can be displayed with pride.

What you do has to be quantifiable and comparable to have resounding strength. What you have accomplished may have seriously positive community impact through its philanthropic focus but

• How did it occur and what was your role in it?
• How was your involvement specifically impactful?
• How did the support system to your house by your alma mata make a difference?

Adding your role and its specific numerical contribution is better. Adding the exact steps you created, lead, or took part in as well as how the program changed in success because of it is near perfect. People are attracted to numbers and visuals.

Commitment

It is truly a new world. It will be completely in your control in the short run.

In, arguably, of all times before you, never before have your predecessors stepped forward and shouted as effectively as yours “make a difference”.

The last tenet is both simple and completely logical. If you commit to the tenets of the Greek Life, you are committing to your legacy and a greater good. Commitment to recreating the brand will cause an economic boon surrounding The Greek Life and what it newly represents.

About the Author:

Jonathan is freelance web developer with a love for everything Internet, education and environment. When he is not busy helping people with their websites, he loves to travel, spend time with his dog and watching baseball. You can reach him through his personal site at SEOJO.ca.

7  Most Common Problems Students Face and Solutions

By  David Gutierrez

Attending college is a highly rewarding experience. During this time you don’t only gain valuable professional knowledge but also make friends and learn many important things that are unrelated to classes. However, students also face many challenges, and not being able to resolve these issues quickly can cause many problems in both college and later life.

So, here is a list of the most common student problems are and tips on how to solve them.

#1 Bad Time Management

Not managing your time efficiently is one of the main reasons why many students fail classes or don’t perform to the best of their abilities.

The best solution that will help you in this situation is learning various time management techniques. You can use a variety of specialized apps, like Rescue Time, Wunderlist, Any.Do, Tomato Timer, etc. Each of these programs can help with managing different tasks and generally being organized. You should try several to find the combination of apps that will help you boost your personal performance.

#2 Partying Too Much

Going to parties and having fun isn’t a problem unless you get too caught up in this. Otherwise, your studies will suffer and you might get into some serious trouble.

The only way to prevent partying from becoming a problem is through self-control. You also shouldn’t overindulge in alcohol as it clouds your judgment.

#3 Poor Sleeping Habits

Even with time management aids, college students are prone to staying up long into the night or sleeping in places where you can’t get proper rest (for example, a couch). Poor quality of sleep exacerbates stress, which not only makes you physically weaker but may also affect your cognitive ability.

To solve this problem, you have to adhere to a strict sleep schedule. Going to bed and getting up at the same time every day is an essential factor that determines the quality of your rest. You will also need to buy the best mattress for you. This is a worthy investment, especially if you plan to move several times. You can take the mattress with you and be sure that your spine will be properly aligned no matter where you are.

#4 Inefficient Money Management

Paying your tuition costs isn’t easy, and even scholarship students might get into debt sometimes. Another factor that often contributes to this problem is the student’s inability to manage funds efficiently.

If you don’t want to drop out of college because of financial struggles, you’ll need to research your financial options very carefully. The tuition costs can be covered with specialized student loans. It’s the same for other common expenses, such as vehicle, rent, etc. You can use many different budgeting apps, like Mint or Wally, to manage your funds more effectively. You might also consider consulting a professional financial advisor to help plan repaying your loans.

#5 Social Problems

Adjusting to a new environment is never easy, especially if it’s your first time away from home. Making friends can be very hard, and bullying is still very much an issue in colleges.

To avoid conflicts and establish good relationships with your classmates and dorm-mates, you’ll need to learn how to deal with people. There are specialized guides that offer tips on conflict resolution. Looking for people who share your interests will be a good idea, so check out clubs and hobby groups.

#6 Sickness

Living in a dorm puts you at risk of contracting various diseases from your neighbors. Seeing how students are often stressed, they are more vulnerable to bacteria and viruses.

The solution here is to lead a healthy lifestyle and take various precautionary measures to prevent diseases. This includes maintaining your immunity by eating well, not sharing your personal items, etc.

#7 Depression

Homesickness, stress, and a variety of other factors affect a student’s emotional health and often bring you down low, which leads to depression.

If this happens, you should seek professional support immediately. Colleges usually provide free counseling programs, and you can look for specialized support groups in your area.

 

Author’s bio: 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.

Why Every Student Needs a Website and How to Make One

BY SYLVIA KOHL

A personal website offers innumerable possibilities for a student. It’s not only a place where you can show off your creativity and glowing personality to the world. A site is a tool that can help you achieve new heights in academics and even get you started on the road to business success.

4 Reasons Why You Need a Personal Website

There are dozens of possible uses for a website, so the benefits it can offer are truly limitless.

1. It can help you get a better job.
   Worried about your employment after college? 56% of hiring managers freely admit that they are more impressed by candidates that have high-quality websites. Create a page that will show you are a skilled professional, despite your lack of experience, and your chances of landing a position will increase.
2. It gives you a substantial online presence.
   Like Facebook Device allows you to connect your digital devices with your social media account, a website can tie together all your accounts and internet projects. This will allow you to establish a ‘digital personality’ that will impress your classmates, partners, teachers, and even friends when they Google you. As our world is getting more dependent on the Internet by the day, a website that reflects your strengths will go a long way in making a positive image of your personality.
3. It can help you make money.
   Your website may become a source of extra income in many different ways. For example, you can review some products, join the Amazon Affiliate Program, get commissions from purchases made through the links in your posts. If you prefer to run a blog, you can make it profitable by attracting advertising. Any business endeavor today needs online marketing, so if you plan to create a startup, you’ll have to make a website for your enterprise.
4. It can help you achieve great results in studying.
   Many study projects require surveys of popular opinions or other types of input from the public. You can use your personal website for research purposes, attracting attention of the targeted group (for surveys) or asking industry experts for advice. Publish parts of your project to drive criticism that will help you improve, or openly ask for advice from interested readers. The wealth of information you can collect this way will enhance your research and allow you to create fantastic projects.

How to Build a Great Personal Website

There are free platforms that will allow you build a simple site and launch it within a few days. However, to make it truly successful, you need to bear in mind the following things:

1. Your purpose.
   Do you want to have a blog to rant about college, a place to advertise and sell your handmade goodies, or a site fit for an affiliate program? The structure of your website will depend on its purpose, so you need to set the goal first and look up the best platform based on this.
2. The site structure.
   The best way to develop the perfect structure is to research other resources similar to the one you want to create and seek inspiration from them. Be sure to study several professional guides as well, because you need to make your website better than that of prospective competitors.
3. Creating a website is easy, but you also need to let the world know that you have it. Look up some guides on digital marketing and be sure to spread the news through your social media accounts. Keep in mind keywords and SEO optimization both when you create the site and when you add new content to it.

You need to consider these things regardless of whether you create the site on your own or hire a professional to do it. Note that if you want the website to help your future career, it should be made by experts.

 

Author’s bio:

Sylvia Kohl is an IT teacher with more than 7 years of professional experience. Her main spheres of interest are e-education and beta-testing. This writer chose news about the increasing role of IT usage in colleges and schools as the most common topic for her articles.

 

7 Things To Greatly Improve Dorm Life

BY MELISSA BURNS

For many students, their life at college is the first prolonged stay out of home. They are stuck in unfamiliar surroundings and have to adapt to conditions that are often annoying, unpleasant or simply too unusual for them for comfort. But why not try and adapt the surroundings to your taste a little bit as well? Here are seven things that can make life in your dorm room a little bit more comfortable and pleasant.

1.    Potted Plants

Some believe them to be boring and mundane, but they really do liven up the place and give you something to care about besides yourself. In addition to that, you may grow something useful as well as pretty – herbs for cooking like basil or rosemary, for example. Just make sure they get a lot of light.

2.    A Fine Mattress

Dorm beds are notorious for being unfit for human consumption in more ways than one. Thus, if you value the quality of your sleep, investment into a quality mattress doesn’t seem to be an outrageous waste. You will thank yourself every morning you wake up refreshed and rested instead of stiff and sore all over.

3.    Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Quality headphones may seem like unforgivably expensive investment when you have a pretty tight budget, like most students do. However, they are a godsend when you live with an annoying roommate or loud neighbors or simply like to have an opportunity to deal with your own business whenever you want it and not when everything happens to be quiet. So, if you value your sanity and don’t want to end up murdering an especially obnoxious neighbor, better buy a pair.

4.    Sleep Mask and Screen

Light is an important zeitgeber (an external cue that influences your body’s internal biorhythms), which everybody who ever tried to go to sleep with lights on knows. Having a sleep mask and/or a screen to separate your bed from the rest of the room when you try to get your forty winks will let you sleep whenever you want and need. Your roommate may be staying up all night – it won’t concern you at all.

5.    Lofting Your Bed

It may be a little difficult to do, but payoffs are considerable. Raising your bed will create additional space you can use for keeping items that would otherwise clatter up the rest of the room when you don’t need them, like boxes with stuff you don’t need every day or even something larger, like a small desk or a couch.

6.    Investing in Better Lighting

Default dorm lighting is always awful, no exceptions. However, your college years are also most likely to be the only period of your life when you don’t have to pay for utilities – which means that you needn’t care about electricity bills and can outfit your room with any lighting you want. There are tons of options that will turn your room into a brightly lighted place where you can read small print at any time of night and day. Your eyesight will be grateful.

7.    Mirrors

In addition to making a room immediately look larger than it is in reality, mirrors reflect light, further helping with your endeavors in this area. Putting them across from windows and near light sources will work wonderfully no matter what kind of room you have.

Life in a dorm doesn’t have to be miserable. You have a lot of freedom in organizing your environment, so don’t forgo an opportunity to spice things up whenever you can – as you can see from these tips, there are many ways to do so without going out of your way.

Melissa Burns graduated from the faculty of Journalism of Iowa State University in 2008. Nowadays she  is an entrepreneur and independent journalist. Her sphere of interests includes startups, information technologies and how these ones may be implemented.

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid For Online Courses

BY ROBERT PARMER

 

My freshman year of college, I made a huge mistake–I enrolled in hybrid and fully online classes without any real foresight. I assumed that online learning would be simple for me since I’m a digital native. However, as I quickly learned online courses present a unique set of challenges.

Last month I wrote about the trials and tribulations of online learning in my College Puzzle article How to Prepare Yourself for Taking Online Classes. Now, in addition to sharing ways to prepare for online learning, I’d like to share some common mistakes to avoid regarding online learning endeavors.

While online learning allows for immense amounts of flexibility, it requires a lot of personal accountability. The following common mistakes for online college students should be avoided at all costs.

Lacking Foundational and Tech Knowledge

The first step to successful online learning is ensuring that you have the basics mastered.

Recently, a close family member of mine decided to finished their degree online after a couple of decades away from school. They made a common mistake that many older people finishing college are faced with: a lack of foundational computer skills.

It’s possible to thrive in online learning environments no matter what your age. Don’t get discouraged or upset if you feel out of the technological loop, there are many free courses designed to quickly get you up to speed!

You must be proficient at typing, emailing, online etiquette, and understanding the ins and outs of web forums and discussion boards. Also become absolutely confident with online research and learn how Google search works. Google Scholar will likely be your best friend some day!

These foundations skills are absolutely crucial, and learning them before going back will save you a lot of stress and headaches.

Related: Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Online Learning? by US News

Not Identifying Your Learning Style

Before you fully commit to online education, consider your learning style. Is this something you’ve never really thought about? If so, that’s fine, but you should at the very least familiarize yourself with the multitude of learning styles. Recognize how they may amplify your efforts or detract from online learning for you personally.

It’s a good idea to fully comprehend your learning style before signing up for online classes. There are many free resources that help with this. Here are a few that have been helpful to me in the past:

Overview of Learning Styles by learning-styles-online.com

What’s Your Learning Style? Quiz by Education Planner

Student Self Assessment by Wayne State University

Working in a Bubble

At times, online education can create a bubble effect where you feel secluded or overly solitary. But just because you aren’t learning at a brick and mortar school doesn’t mean that you should feel closed-off.

It’s possible to engage with your peers through forums, social media, and other activities. Utilize this as much as possible because feeling isolated can oftentimes lead to depression or other mental illness. Burnout and procrastination are also common associated phenomenons.

Work from multiple locations if possible to mix up your study routine and if possible, plan visits to your University!

Not Critiquing Your Study Environment

You need to be looking at your study and test taking environments with a critical lense. Is it actually quiet enough where you study? Is the internet connection spotty? Are you actually comfortable where you’re at?

Simply put, if you aren’t comfortable your levels of success could plummet. You have to be alright with changing things up if they aren’t working. It’s important to learn how to navigate organizational change.

Sometimes the layout of your room or desk can greatly impact your success. Even something as simple as an uncomfortable office chair could be hurting you both physically and mentally. Recognize these situations that may backtrack your efforts and combat them.

Furthermore, make sure you aren’t overly cluttered or unorganized. Take pride in your workspace!

Failing to Speak Up When Struggling

Online learning can create communication barriers. It’s easier to bury your struggles when you don’t regularly meet face to face with your instructor and your peers.

In an article on the Chicago Tribune, Tamara Popovich, associate director of student services at ASU Online offers great advice for seeking educational assistance:

“Students are always hesitant to ask for help. They start to drown and they take drastic measures, or they don’t take measures at all. Either way, they end up making a mistake.”

“We don’t want them to fail miserably. There’s always a middle ground,” she adds. “Let’s rescue what we can, and then move forward from there.”

Robert Parmer is a freelance web writer and student of Boise State University. Outside of writing whenever he has spare time, Robert enjoys creating and recording music, caring for his pet cat, and commuting by bicycle whenever possible. Follow him on Twitter @robparmer

Resources to Fight Bullying and Harassment at College

BY JANE HURST

It doesn’t matter whether it is grade school or college, there is going to be bullying and harassment going on. In many cases, it is other students who are giving their fellow students a hard time. There are also cases of bullying and harassment on the part of teachers. As a college teacher, it is your job to be able to identify harassment, and help students deal with it appropriately. All teachers should be aware of the many resources that are available to help fight bullying and harassment at college, as well as at all other levels of education. If you have personally dealt with these issues, or you suspect that some of your students are being bullied or harassed, here are some resources that can help.

• What Is Bullying: Young Adults & College Students – This is a great site to go to for information about bullying and what to do about it. It is loaded with resources that you can use to help students and teachers deal with harassment and bullying in a mature and responsible manner. Learn what bullying actually is, what cyberbullying is, and how to respond to and prevent bullying.
• Cyberbullying in Depth – This is a site that was started to help people find affordable colleges, but also provides loads of information on a number of topics that concern college students and teachers. Here you will find loads of great articles and videos about cyberbullying, and learn how to recognize cyberbullying for what it is, the effects of cyberbullying in college, and where to find help for students who have been affected by this type of harassment.
• Bullying and Harassment Toolkit – The Superintendent of Public Instruction offers the School Safety Center, where you will find information about staying safe on college campuses. There is a safety planning tool kit, which includes information about bullying and cyberbullying, as well as contacts and additional resources.
• Recovery Tips – In addition to bullying, students and teachers often deal with other issues, including drug and alcohol addiction. You can provide them with the resources they need to get help, including ReachOutRecovery. This site is maintained by a non-profit organization with the sole purpose of addiction education, prevention, and recovery help and support for children and teens.
• Safe from Bullying – This is a site that is dedicated to helping people to understand, prevent, and deal with bullying and harassment at the college level. Learn about why it is important to deal with bullying in colleges, how bullying can be stopped, how to respond to bullying, and more. There is also a list of other resources for information, advice, and support.
• The Prevalence of Bullying and Cyberbullying – Here is a site that offers loads of great information for students and teachers at all educational levels, including college. Learn about how prevalent bullying and cyberbullying actually is, the effects of bullying, how to prevent bullying and cyberbullying, and much more. As with many other sites on the subject, you will also find a link to additional resources for help.
• The Bully Project – Here you can get the tools and resources you need to understand and prevent bullying, and to help those who are affected by bullying and cyberbullying. There are tools for educators as well as for students and parents, as well as a special needs tool kit, Spanish tools for educators, tools for advocates, and a graphics tool kit. You will also be able to learn the legal ramifications of bullying and cyberbullying.
• American Psychological Association – The APA offers resources on numerous topics that can affect one’s psychological well-being, including bullying and cyberbullying. Information presented here can help you to recognize the signs of bullying, so you can recognize potential bullies in the classroom (as well as other teachers and colleagues), and recognize victims and offer help.

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.

The Only Proofreading Guide College Students Need

By Brenda Savoie

If you’re a student, you probably dread the moment when you put a full stop to your writing. Then you know it’s time to proofread your work, and after hours or days of working on a piece, it’s the most boring task you could be given.

However, it’s essential no matter how good of a writer you think you are and if you really want to get a good grade. Proofreading not only enables you to fix spelling, grammar and stylistic errors, but to have a look at your own writing and ideas with a rested mind.

If you want to tackle the proofreading game and learn how to do it properly, without wasting time and missing errors, take a look at our short and concise guide. It’s actually quite simple, but all the points combined make a powerful proofreading guide.

 

1.  Give It Time

This might not sound like a great idea, especially if you have a tight deadline with your essay or assignment, which is why you need to make sure to do your writing in time. But, taking a time out, and leaving your writing intact for some time can do wonders for your proofreading. Your brain will get some rest, and you’ll approach the work with a completely fresh and rested mind. Whatever you do, avoid proofreading your work right after you’ve finished it. It doesn’t show great results.

2.  Make a ’Mistake List’

Every single student makes mistakes while writing, and that’s a fact. You’re learning and that’s normal. And usually, every student has a unique mistake they make and keep repeating in each new writing. Whether you’re aware of it, or are starting to realize it right now, you shouldn’t ignore it. If you want to make sure it doesn’t slip past you the next time, make your own ’mistake list’. Use it as a guide and a reminder to pay special attention to your usual errors.

 

3.  Read Out Loud

Students often like to read textbooks and notes out loud because they memorize it faster. Read your writing out loud to notice errors more swiftly. It’s something about the sound that makes you focus more on words and phrases and the entire sentiment. It’s easier to spot mistakes that are not that obvious if you’re reading it out loud as if you were explaining the writing to someone else.

4.  Triple Check

The key to becoming the ultimate proofreader is to triple check your writing. While double checking may seem like enough, it’s not. Triple check your writing and don’t leave it up to chance. The more you go through it, no matter how much you hate reading it over and over again, the more mistakes you will find, so by the time you’re finished triple checking, your writing will come out spotless.

5.  Reverse It

How many times have you missed an error because you didn’t take the time to read your work thoroughly? Get rid of this nasty habit and notice every single error by reading your writing backwards. Start from the bottom and go all the way to the top. That way you’ll spot even the tiniest errors that you couldn’t while you were rushing to read the text top to bottom.

6.  Focus on Words

By now, you must be thinking, well of course I will focus on words, but the fact is, most students tend to read what they meant to say by writing and not what’s actually there. Focus on writing and each word, phrase or sentence to see if you put your idea into the correct form. You’d be surprised the things we miss out, or read to ourselves that aren’t even there.

7.  Get another Pair of Eyes

Literally. After a couple of times of proofreading the same work, especially the one you have written, it’s hard to spot errors, both grammatical and spelling, as well stylistic ones. If you can have someone else go through the work one more time. They will be able to detect errors that you haven’t even seen, if there are any.

Conclusion

While proofreading might be your worst nightmare sometimes, there’s no great writing without editing and proofreading. It’s not just essential for avoiding critical errors, but also for sprucing up your writing and improving it. With a fresh mind and several read throughs, you’re able to take your original writing and shape and mold it to perfection.

 

Brenda Savoie is a grammar tutor at Essayontime A private English tutor and desperate dreamer. Writing her first romantic novel. Find her on Twitter and Facebook

How to determine if you need to pursue a Ph.D.

BY ETHAN DUNWILL

 

Now that you have your Master’s degree, you have some choices to make. While you have been in college for several years now, you may be wondering if it would be wise to go after your Ph.D. While the thought may sound intriguing, it is crucial that you have a good understanding of the degree and why it might (or might not) be a good choice for you.

What is a Ph.D.?

Ph.D. stands for Doctor of Philosophy. This postgraduate degree is generally chosen by students who have completed their master’s degree program and who enjoy research. It is a recognized globally and is awarded by educational institutions to students who submit a thesis or dissertation that is based on research within their chosen field.

Top 5 Reasons to Pursue a Ph.D.

 

1. You enjoy research.

Getting a Ph.D. is all about researching within your particular field of study. Some people thoroughly enjoy researching during their undergraduate studies, and if that is you, then pursuing your Ph.D. will be extremely gratifying to you.

 

2. You will be recognized as an expert in your field.

Unlike others, you will have the knowledge to speak intelligently and rationally about your field. In a day when everyone thinks they are an expert, you will definitely be “the” expert after spending three to four years studying the same subject.

 

3. It shows prestige.

Some people want to be recognized for the work in their fields, and by having a “Dr.” in front of their names, they are more easily noticed. The degree shows the area of talent and proves that you have talent and tenacity.

 

4. You enjoy academia.

If you love working flexible hours, lab and office work, and academic stimulation, you probably will enjoy working on your Ph.D. While it can be difficult at times, you will find challenges and freedom by working in an intellectual environment.

 

5. To improve your life.

You shouldn’t pursue a Ph.D. just for more pay because it may not work out that way. On the other hand, if you have a deep desire to increase confidence, be a better communicator, and gain additional skills (that may help you land that great job), a Ph.D. may be just the thing for you.

 

Top 5 Reasons to Not Get a Ph.D.

 

Just as there are many good reasons to pursue your doctorate, there are other reasons not to go in that direction. If you are considering a Ph.D., these reasons of why you shouldn’t pursue the degree are not to discourage you. The fact of the matter is that many people pursue a Ph.D. for the wrong reasons. While getting a Ph.D. is commendable, there are many dropouts from Ph.D. programs because people begin for the wrong reasons. As you read through this list, remember that every situation is different and what applies to some individuals does not apply to all. Here are some of the top reasons you should think twice about pursuing your Ph.D.

 

1. It doesn’t guarantee you a better-paying job (or any job at all).

There is a false perception that if you continue to get more education, you will be able to land a high-paying job. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. While some jobs require a Ph.D. (usually a research job), most of the time, having a Ph.D. will not guarantee a job with substantially higher pay.

 

2. Pressure from friends and family.

You may have friends who have decided to pursue their PhD and it just seems like the right thing to do. Or, you may have family members who are convinced that you need your doctorate. When it’s all said and done, however, the person who has to do all of the work (and pay all of the tuition) is you. No one else can really make this decision for you. If you are feeling lots of pressure from others in your life, you might consider finding an outside person to whom you can talk. Someone who isn’t personally involved in your life can help you talk through your options to make sure you are doing the right thing.

 

3. You can’t pursue your dream job.

If you continue with your education, you won’t be able to start working within your chosen field. Do you want to delay your lifelong ambitions to get more education, or are you ready to move on with your life?

 

4. You will accrue more loans.

Unless you have a full scholarship, you will continue to add to your student loan. Once you graduate from college, you are not be guaranteed a job. Make sure you can handle the increase in loan payments after graduation due to additional tuition costs.

 

5. Some jobs only request an undergraduate degree.

Some firms will not hire someone with a Ph.D. because they know they will be expected to pay more salary. While it may seem a little odd, it is possible for some employers to view job seekers as overqualified for a job.

 

Pursuing a doctorate is not for everyone. Life offers many twists and turns, and it is impossible to foresee the future. The only thing you can do is weigh your pros and cons and make the best choice for your own life.

Ethan Dunwill is a business consultant and contributing blogger for several websites, who currently works for content writing service.

He believes that education is the most important part of any developed society and always eager to share his experience. You can talk to Ethan via Twitter.

 

5 Useful Tips to Stay Healthy in College

BY SYLVIA KOHL

Receiving low grades is not the only college student’s nightmare. In fact, gaining the “freshman 15” is considered much worse, especially by the female population of campus. There are several simple ways to stay in a good shape and avoid this syndrome.

First of all, it is crucial to understand why some teens face this typical problem. The causes might be:

• Poor food quality
• Overeating
• Stresses
• Bad habits
• Passive lifestyle (sedentary life)
• Lack of motivation
• Too much pocket money

Do not focus on your studies only – the life still goes on, so your fit body will play you a favor. All you actually have to do is to take care of your daily ration and physical exercises. Cheerleading activities and football may be not that popular in college like they were back at your high school. However, you can be the one to set your own fashion standards.

Share these helpful hints with your peers to see how well you can control your weight and stay healthy in any environment.

1. Health & wellness center

Sign up for such facility to have regular check-ins in professional doctor’s office. In case your college does not provide its students with such opportunity, it would be cheaper or even free for students to keep track of their health condition in one of the public hospitals around. It would be great if you possess a financial opportunity to pay for individual physician, but it is not necessary.

2. Join a club sport

Every educational institution has one or more sport clubs despite its level. And we’re not talking about chess or other board games. It can be ping-pong or mini-golf – in other words, any activity which trains both your body and your brain. Swimming is a nice option for lazy people. It is the only kind of sports that makes ALL human muscles move. It is said that this type of after-class activity burns about 400-500 calories in 40 minutes. Some sources name different numbers, but they are still great.

3. Avoid getting too drunk

I am not telling you to avoid alcohol in any life situation. Unfortunately, this is the thing most students can’t resist. The good news is that you can at least try to control the level of alcohol in your blood during loud parties and gigs. If you decide to drink some beer or cocktails, choose physically and emotionally safe environment. Besides, the majority of standard alcohol beverages contain upwards of 100 calories per serving.

4. Don’t skip the workouts

Except for extra weight, students may face shoulder and back pain. At least 15 minutes of going sweat per day might solve this problem if you select the right exercises. You can read more on the typical pain students may experience to discover details.

5. Watch after your daily ration

Nutrition is something you have to take care of. Healthy teens avoid sugary cereal, French fries, hamburgers, and pizza. As for the ice cream, milk shake, or popcorn at the cinema, it is OK when done in a while. It is better to exclude crisps! Switch to veggies, lean protein, and fresh fruits/vegetables.

Sylvia Kohl is an IT teacher with more than 7 years of professional experience. Her main spheres of interest are e-education and beta-testing. This writer chose news about the increasing role of IT usage in colleges and schools as the most common topic for her articles.