Painless Studying - Tips For Fast, Easy Learning

By Ali Hale

Being a student is a lot of fun - friends, parties, clubs, freedom, late nights and rambling discussions - but there always comes a point when you need to knuckle down and study. Here's how to make your academic study sessions as easy and painless as possible ... you might even enjoy it.

Work at your "peak" time of day

Try to study when your brain is at its best. For a lot of people, that's in the morning, and most of us have a "slump" around four pm. Figure out what your most creative and energetic time is, and - if at all possible - plan to study then.

Don't worry if this means working odd hours! Some students find that they focus really well at midnight; others can get a huge amount done at 5am. One of the greatest things about being a student is not being tied to office-hours.

Avoid, as much as you can, trying to study at your lowest points. You'll make yourself feel tired and frustrated, and the work you produce won't be your best. Plan to have a break - or at least do some mundane things like photocopying and grocery shopping - during your "brain dead" times.

Find somewhere quiet to work

As well as working at the right time for your brain, you need to work in the right place. None of us can study effectively in a noisy environment, or one with constant distractions. If you can, work in a library; it's usually quiet, and there's not much to do apart from study!

When you need to work in your room, try disconnecting the internet and switching off your phone. Shut the door and ignore anyone who knocks - or put up a note saying that you're busy and don't want to be disturbed. It's very tempting to take any excuse to end a study session early...

Work for 30-45 minutes at a time

You do need to take regular breaks from studying, though. Trying to focus for two hours non-stop will prevent you from working efficiently, and it'll make you tired and grouchy. Work for 30-45 minutes at a time - that means no stopping to check email or Facebook - and then have a 10-15 minutes break to make a coffee, read comic books, chat to a friend, or whatever you like.

Just make sure you get straight back to work, rather than letting a "quick break" drag out to several hours...

Take notes - don't just read

Have you ever heard the advice to "study actively"? That means not just sitting and reading over and over your text book or lecture notes. Grab a sheet of paper and a pen - or several pens of different colours, if you want to make it a bit more fun. As you read, write down key points. This could be a spider diagram, a bullet-pointed list, or a series of paragraphs: choose whatever works best for you.

Another good exercise is to get a set of 6" x 4" cards and jot notes onto those. This is great when it comes to exam time, as a concise set of notes on cards is much less daunting than a stack of textbooks. Some students like to make notes on lined paper initially, then condense these notes onto the cards.

Whatever method you use, make sure you're actively working on the information you're reading - not just letting it wash past your eyes.

Ali Hale is a postgraduate student of Creative & Life Writing, and runs the blog Alpha Student ("Helping you make the most of your time at Uni"). Ali works as a freelance writer and website creator, and is on the staff of several large blogs. If you're looking for a writer or a website, you can hire her via Aliventures.

Goal-Setting at University

By Ali Hale

Studies have shown that students who set specific, written goals are much more likely to succeed in life than those who don't. Having a clear idea of what you want to get from your time at university - and from life beyond your studies - lets you focus your attention on the areas which matter to you.

Here's how to set effective goals to help you make the most of being a student:

Be clear about what you want from your time at university

Being a student isn't just about getting a piece of paper when you graduate. Nor is it just about enjoying the freedom and socialising of the student lifestyle. There are dozens of things you could use your time at university to achieve - and it's up to you to be clear about what you want to get out of these years of your life.

Are you aiming for a great degree? Or do you want to launch your own business, write a novel, become President of a society, or get relevant experience for your dream career? Don't try to conform to someone else's goals for your life: you don't have to become an investment banker just because that's what your dad wants. And don't be swayed by your friends or classmates - if you'd rather spend your Saturday night volunteering at a soup kitchen instead of partying, that's your choice.

Set goals in different categories

Goal setting doesn't need to be all about your academic life or your career plans. Try picking several goals to work on, in different categories: that way, you can make progress in multiple areas at once. For example, you might want to set goals involving:

• Your studies


• Your financial situation


• Your future career


• Your health and fitness


• Your relationships


• Your spiritual wellbeing

Don't try to focus on too many goals at once - but look for the three or four areas where you most need to improve, and tackle those first.

Write down your goals, and re-visit them regularly

Anyone can dream up lofty goals - and forget them the following day. Write down your goals, and be as concrete and specific as you can. Goals need to be measurable so that you can tell whether or not you're on track to achieve them; "Get fitter" isn't a goal, "Go to the gym three times a week for a thirty-minute cardio workout followed by a weights session" is.

Just writing your goals down helps you to crystallise them, but jotting them in a notebook and shoving it under your bed won't help much. You need to reread your goals on a regular basis - weekly, or even daily. Try writing them out and pinning them on your noticeboard, setting them as your screensaver, or scheduling half an hour once a week to look at your goals and assess how you're doing - and whether you need to change any of them.

Be realistic about timescales

One mistake that many people make when setting goals is to be over-optimistic. Sure, you might want to write a novel in six months, or lose twenty pounds in six weeks - but you'll be disappointed if you fail to meet your self-imposed deadline. Give yourself twice as much time as you think you'll need. It is important to set dates on your goals (otherwise it's very easy to keep putting them off till tomorrow), but be realistic about your time-commitments.

Share your goals with friends

Letting other people know about your goals and ambitions can be a great way to stay motivated and accountable. If you can, get together with some like-minded friends who'll encourage you towards your goals - this could be as simple as meeting up for coffee once a week and discussing how you're all doing. Knowing that you'll be telling someone else about the progress you're making can really help you to stay on track.

Friends can also help on a practical level with your goals - for instance, if your goal is to eat more healthily, you might have a friend who can teach you to cook. If both you and a friend share a similar goal, you can work on it together or alongside one another.

Enjoy yourself!

The final point about setting goals is that they should be enjoyable. Don't force yourself to chase after a goal which you're becoming more and more discouraged about or fed up with. If your goals aren't working for you - change them.

Ali Hale is a postgraduate student of Creative & Life Writing, and runs the blog Alpha Student ("Helping you make the most of your time at Uni"). Ali works as a freelance writer and website creator, and is on the staff of several large blogs. If you're looking for a writer or a website, you can hire her via Aliventures.

What is the Best Way to Study For a Bachelor Degree?

By Waller Jamison

As the new academic year approaches for many of us, you may be considering studying for a degree. A good degree will enhance your job prospects and graduates generally enjoy higher salaries. But what is the best way to study for a bachelor degree?

There are many options these days, with part time courses, distance learning and online degree courses, as well as traditional full time university courses. So should you opt for a traditional course or an online or distance learning course?

There are advantages and disadvantages to both options. Let's start with traditional full-time courses:

Advantages

• You can focus on your studies full time

• You can use college facilities, such as computers and libraries

• You can attend lectures and have face to face tutorials

• You can study with other students, which can help you with tough assignments.

• You can take part in student life, although socializing can also be a disadvantage at times.

Disadvantages

• You'll have less time for paid work and so might struggle with finances

• You will be expected to attend college at specified times

• You may find your social life distracts you from your studies

And now let's consider online or distance learning:

Advantages

• These options are usually very flexible, allowing you to fit your studies around work and family, which makes them open to many people who would otherwise be unable to earn a degree.

• Since you won't need to leave your job, you won't have so many financial worries.

• It is sometimes possible to do an accelerated course, which can reduce the number of years you have to study.

Disadvantages

• You won't have the same interaction with tutors and other students as you would in a traditional college setting.

• You'll have to be very disciplined and able to work on your own. It can be hard going when you have no-one to compare notes with. Discussing assignments can help motivate you to get them done, but with online or distance learning, you'll have to make more effort to find study buddies.

• You'll need to buy your own computer and access a local library.

In deciding which is the best way to study for a bachelor degree, you need to take a close look at your own circumstances, your commitments and your finances and then choose the option which will work best for you.

Change your life - get your online accredited bachelor degree http://www.coolercareers.com/online-accredited-bachelor-degree.html Waller Jamison is a careers advisor and university lecturer, who understands the difficulties involved in changing career and returning to study.

What is a Bachelor's Degree and Why is it So Important?

By Waller Jamison

A bachelor or bachelor's degree is an academic qualification awarded by a college or university when an undergraduate course has been successfully completed. If you attend a traditional university or college, your degree normally takes three to four years, depending on the subject. However it is possible to graduate earlier by taking an online degree and some traditional colleges also offer accelerated courses.

Why is bachelor's degree important? It is easier to enter many careers these days with a degree and even if you work in an area where a vocational qualification is sufficient, a degree will help you progress, especially if you are interested in management level jobs.

For those of you who are academic, and looking at careers which involve teaching at university level or research, your first degree builds the foundation for a master's, PhD or similar higher degree. .

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.Sc. in or B.S.) are the most common first degrees, but degree names depend on the subjects studied and at this level also include B.A.Econ. which stands for Bachelor of Economics and B.Arch.,meaning Bachelor of Architecture.

Traditionally, getting a bachelor's degree involved attending a course for three or four years full-time - the length depending on the subjects studied, at a university or similar college.

More recently, gaining a bachelor's degree has become a great deal easier and much more flexible with advances in technology, particularly the internet and the increase in the number of distance learning courses. It is now possible for many students to gain their qualifications without leaving home, which is very useful for those who live in remote areas or who have family commitments. Undergraduate degrees online also make studying possible for those who do not want to give up their jobs.

But a degree is not just important because of its ability to further your career. Studying for a bachelor's enables you to develop your thinking and critical skills. It also enables you to acquire in-depth knowledge about areas which interest you and to expand your horizons by learning about subjects which you previously knew nothing about.

So, if you don't have the time to study full-time, consider a university online bachelor degree.

Change your life - get your online accredited bachelor degree http://www.coolercareers.com/online-accredited-bachelor-degree.html Waller Jamison is a university lecturer and careers advisor who understands the difficulties faced by many would-be students.

College Internship - Attitude is Everything

By Vickie Faria

If we are entirely honest with ourselves we would be forced to admit that we live in an extremely competitive world. What makes even more difficult is the recent (and current) decline in the American economy. As the economy stays on a steady decline, jobs become much more scarce and competitive.

What does this mean to you?

This means that you need to stand out when you are searching for internship college prospects. The most important thing that is going to distinguish you from the rest of your fellows is your attitude.

So, let's go over the most important attitude characteristics that employers are looking for.

• Integrity

Integrity is quite possibly the most important characteristic that one can possess. (In my humble opinion).

What is integrity?

Integrity is a very simple principle that touches all aspects of life. In the clearest terms, integrity is the virtue of being a person of your word. It requires that you do what you say you are going to do when you say you are going to do it.

• Humility

Most internship college employers would probably agree that humility is a must when going into an intern position. This is because you are going there to learn and gain experience. They are allowing you the opportunity to be there for your benefit. If you go in with a sense of entitlement then you I can assure you that your termination will come with the quickness.

So, the lesson here is to remain humble and teachable.

• Motivation

This is also an extremely important asset to carry with you. Motivation is a very attractive characteristic in an employee. Along with motivation comes a positive attitude, energetic personality, and a "go-getter" mentality. If you exhibit motivation, you are almost assured a quality internship college position.

Stand Out In the Crowd

You want to be the person that is noticed first in a large crowd. If you go in and exhibit the above discussed characteristics, you will most certainly stand out among the dull and boring. Be playful but not overzealous; be outgoing but not obnoxious; be friendly but not childish; be professional but not a prude; be confident but not cocky; and ALWAYS BE HAPPY.

I think that the most important rule that one can live by is to not take themselves too seriously. If you realize that the interview process is not a life or death matter, you will be able to relax and display a lighthearted energy which everybody likes.

It is my great hope that this has contributed to your base of knowledge and offered a boost in your confidence level. So, go put yourself out there and get the best dang internship college position available!

More information on an internship college and College Works Painting in your area is just a click away.

Do You Need a Private College Counselor?

By Phillip Walters

Many college applicants feel that life would be made simpler, or admissions officers would look on them more favorably, if they engaged the services of a private counselor. You may have seen success stories on TV about these apparent wonder workers, but wait! As long as you do your research and ask those around you when you need help, you're capable of handling this all on your own!

Of course, perhaps a private counselor could be of benefit to you if you're really feeling stuck and don't know where to start in your college search, or if there's a specific aspect of College life which you feel you need help with and you don't want to ask parents or teachers. However, if you want to save yourself a lot of money, try doing it yourself!

Expect to pay anything between hundreds of dollars to several thousand if you do employ a professional. For your money, you can expect assistance with:

• Finding the colleges which suit your personal profile


• Putting together an impressive admissions package


• Editing your personal statement for maximum effect


• Practicing for college interviews


• Organization of your paperwork and meeting cut-off dates

Don't forget, you already have plenty of other people whose help you can rely on for your college search. You can do plenty of research using resources supplied by your high school, local library, or online. Whether you call in the pros or go it alone, here are a few resources you'll want to be sure to tap along the way:

Your High School Guidance Counselor: Your counselor is a great source of information about colleges and the admissions process. Give yourself a chance to build up a rapport with your guidance counselor well before you want to start your college application - the better they know your personal strengths and preferences, the more well equipped they will be to recommend colleges and courses.

Online Resources: Many of the questions you may have about the process of college admissions can be answered online. Of course, the Internet should also be one of your first stops in researching colleges, student scholarship opportunities and financial aid. A good place to start is on Cappex.com, a free resource that matches students with colleges. You'll also find the free site for students at http://www.ed.gov/students/ a reliable source of college search info, and you should obviously pay a visit to college websites.

Family, Friends and Teachers: When it comes to completing the daunting range of tasks required to enter college, the real pros are your nearest and dearest - those family members, friends and teachers who understand the real you and who can be trusted to give a truthful insight into what's in your best interests! Don't be afraid to ask for help with choosing which college to visit, checking over your application, or even for a great letter of recommendation!

I want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to go to college. This means getting in, finding the right college fit and paying for school. I love to share what I've learned and I hope you can find some useful information useful in your college search.

7 College Essay Writing Tips to Blow Their Socks Off!

By Paul Lloyd Hemphill

1. Write your college application essay before your senior year begins. Senior year is very busy, and you don't need another distraction from concentrating on what's more important: your studies. Get it brainstormed, drafted, corrected and finally written before September 1.

2. Find a topic that you know better than anyone. For example, you're a dancer because you use dance as a way to express with your body what you cannot express with your vocal cords. Who knows the language of your body better than you do? Who knows more about what you say with your dance than you do? You're the expert, which is why it'll be a whole lot easier for you to communicate what you want to say. Read: your essay can be one easy task!

3. Keep it simple. By way of illustration, let's say you're standing on a street corner and you witness a car crash in front of you; you were the only one who witnessed the crash, and the police have asked you to write a description of what you saw. Why did the police ask you? Because they know you are the expert in what you experienced in that brief moment of the car crash. You could write about a brief moment in your life that had some positive impact on you because you are the expert on how that moment affected you. Keeping it simple also means using simple words, so throw away the thesaurus.

4. Make your first statement of the essay the most powerful. Readers in a college admissions office believe 80% of the essays they read are a waste of time. So make your first statement a "hook" - a pleasant surprise that catches their attention from the get-go. Here are some example first-sentences of what some of my students wrote last year:

"I was suddenly surrounded by rifles pointing at me." (theme: paintball)

"It was clear that I was completely cut off from civilization." (theme: wilderness hiking)

"I had nowhere to go but down." (theme: overachieving)

"Pain was a requirement for me to succeed." (theme: dancing/ballet)

5. Read your essay out loudBesides your eyes use your ears to hear what you're saying. Reading out loud gives you another sense of how the essay is moving, and you'll be able to tell if it sounds right or needs improvement. Then get friends and family members to read and listen to what you're saying. Ask for comments and suggestions.

6. Essays should be no longer than 500 words. Give the admissions reader another reason to LOVE you - keep it shorter than 500 words. The 500-word limit has been a standard for years, and the Common App now allows you to write more than 500 words. With short attention spans in a college admissions office, do you think colleges are excited that the Common App allows you to write more than they want to read? Less is more, or quality beats quantity every time.

7. Keep your essay upbeat and positive. My favorite college essay requirement comes from the College of William & Mary in Virginia where they suggest: "Surprise us!" What they're asking you to do is write something that's positive. Why? Like most colleges they're so used to reading the seven deadly topics they don't like: divorce, disabilities, death, dysfunctional behavior, trips, sports injuries, and boyfriend/girlfriend breakups. Not to write about these topics would be a huge surprise.

Paul Lloyd Hemphill specializes in designing, marketing, packaging and selling a student to a college by using the very same techniques colleges use to design, market, package ans sell their services to unsuspecting students. Visit his free video website: http://www.videocollegedad.com

529 College Savings Plan

By Paul Abbey

If you have college bound kids, you should be aware of the 529 college savings plan, one of the best ways to save for your kids' education future. The 529 college savings plan is a tax-free mutual fund investment option for any college or university in the country.

Many parents are not sure if the 529 college savings plan is the best option. There are calculators available to help make that decision. You can compare your estimated earnings in a regular taxable account with what you would earn with a 529 college savings plan. Depending on how much time you have before the college years, you are subject to come ahead with the 529 college savings plan.

Weigh your options

Before you begin using a savings plan estimator, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, most calculators only work with college savings plans. Consider a prepaid tuition plan only if you are certain that the beneficiary of the plan will attend one of the participating schools. These plans guarantee today's tuition rates for the future. Withdrawals from prepaid tuition plans are also tax-free.

Federally tax free withdrawals for qualifying college expenses from a 529 college savings plan are considered gifts for federal tax purposes. This is applicable for annual contributions not greater than $12,000 for individuals, and $24,000 for married couples making joint contributions. You can also make a lump sum payment equivalent to five years worth of contributions which total $60,000 for individuals; $120,000 for married couples.

Also keep in mind that you must set up a separate 529 college savings plan for each child or grandchild. The limits would apply to each account separately.

Gains from investments related to your 529 college savings plan is subject to the lower capital gains rate, if held for more than one year. The same rule applies for qualified dividends. However, short-term gains and interest are taxed at your regular tax rate.

How the tax savings calculator works

Generally, most tax savings calculators will require the following information: the number of years remaining until the child enters college; the estimated rate for a college fund if you invested in a taxable account rather than a 529 plan; whether you will make a lump sum payment or installments and the number of years you will contribute; and, the average return expected.

Results will give the estimated value at college age; estimated after-tax value at college age; and, the amount you will have and percentage gained from investing in a 529 college savings plan.

Finally, estimates are just that - estimates. You will not know the exact amount until you begin investing. However, educating yourself prior to selecting a plan helps you to understand what to expect.

P Abbey owns and operates http://www.section529plansfast.com Section 529 Plans

US Falling Behind in Math and Science - Is This the Truth Or is This a Scare Tactic?

By Lance Winslow

Is the United States of America falling dangerous behind in the educational strength of math and science? Well, some say yes, and others say no - depending of course, on what you mean by that statement. You see, the US colleges and Universities lead the world in their science and math programs, but, we find the students in HS are not keeping up with their counterparts in many nations.

Worse, now the Rand Corporation Think Tank has data and research showing that we are losing our competitive edge in science and math, which will affect our future in very negative way. One Math Teacher in a California Middle School stated:

"I believe it is always the older generation's agenda to say the new generation is falling apart. Elvis was the root of all evil in the 50's in the eyes of the older generation. Later the Hippies were the dawn of another generation collapse in the 60's and 70's. This trend will never go away."

Indeed, still in the aerospace industry the average aerospace worker is 58 years old and the kids who will be replacing them have not even started college yet. The shortages are huge already. It's also an issue in other first world nations. Even the cars are getting more complicated, and all the increases technology across all sectors will need more folks able to handle all these jobs, new jobs. To this comment, the math teacher replied:

"I have seen great progress in my years as a math teacher. 8th graders are required to complete courses that were once only offered in High School. Achievement scores rise each year at our school, and we are not alone. There are more students attending advanced placement courses than ever before. "

Do you believe this trend that you speak of in your school to be duplicating across the nation? If not why and if so then how often? Why ask these additional questions, simple, because even if some school districts are making a difference, the data does not lie, we are getting ourselves into a pickle and it is essential to admit this problem, address it and solve this challenge.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Blog Content Service If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/

Top Ten Leading Forensic Science Schools

By J.J. Yong

Becoming a crime scene investigator is a very prestigious job. Many aspire to witness a crime scene investigation because they all think it's a very cool job. But before you become an expert on forensic science, you need to have proper education which is dedicated to this field of study. And to have an idea on where you should enroll yourself and be assured of landing a very stable forensic science career, the list below shows the leading forensic science schools.

The following institutions will teach you what DNA testing is all about and how it is being conducted. Anything that you need to know about forensic science will be taught to you in the following schools, namely:

• University of Mississippi


• University of Central Florida


• Loyola University, New Orleans


• Michigan State University


• Arkansas State


• Baylor University, Texas


• Oregon State University


• University of Central Oklahoma


• Ohio University


• Colombia College, Missouri

With the choices given above about the leading forensic schools, it doesn't necessarily follow that the other schools are no good. There are schools that offer this field of study although in the most generalized curriculum. For those schools that offer preparatory study on forensic science, you can still avail of that and enroll at a school that specializes in this field later. That is to widen your knowledge.

Although there are those who hire employees based on where he had studied, there also those who doesn't really care as long as you know your job and you are qualified to do what you are required to do. Be it a school that is within your financial means or one of the expensive leading schools in the country.

When you are going into this field you need to realize that you will be learning many things. You'll be learning not only behind the science in your major, but you may also be learning about using equipment, evidence collection, making reports, being an expert witness, dealing with law enforcement, and so much more. For more information about forensic science basics, visit http://forensicsciencebasics.com