Top Education in Less Time - The Benefit of Earning a Bachelor Degree in Australia Or New Zealand

By Susan Slobac

A typical undergraduate program in North America requires four years for completion and includes a selection of electives as well as required core classes relevant to the field of study. While this path does provide a solid education, some students may prefer a different approach in working toward their undergraduate degree. Australia and New Zealand both offer viable alternatives well worth consideration. With their unique approach to curriculum structure and focus, New Zealand and Australia undergraduate programs deliver an outstanding education and an ideal alternative for students that prefer such flexibility.

Making the Most of Your Time

North American universities typically require four years of work to earn a bachelor degree. Australia and New Zealand universities, however, offer many undergraduate programs that only require three years to complete. At first glance, one may wonder how it is possible to receive a comparable education in less time at these colleges. Because there are considerable differences in the curriculum focus and structure between a North America and New Zealand or Australia undergraduate program, it is in fact quite possible.

Australia and New Zealand undergraduate programs are highly specialized. Rather than require the completion of a set number of electives unrelated to the core field of study, these programs instead require students to focus entirely upon classes in their discipline. As a result, students have a greater amount of time to become immersed in their selected field of study, yet need less time to meet the requirements of an undergraduate degree. New Zealand and Australian universities, as a result, prepare students for real world application of their studies more expediently.

It should be noted, however, that some specialized and professional degree programs do require a fourth year, an example would be an engineering undergraduate degree. New Zealand and Australia colleges also offer 4th year program called a Bachelor of Honors. This involves a research-focused year and is made available to students who performed well in their undergraduate programs. Students typically apply for this extended program upon completion of their Australia or New Zealand undergraduate degree.

How Do the Programs Compare?

While they offer appealing time requirements for a bachelor degree, Australia and New Zealand universities also offer unparalleled academic programs. In fact, these institutions are recognized around the world for excellence in teaching methods, curriculum standards and implementation of degree programs. Students can feel absolute confidence in the value and quality of their studies when earning an undergraduate degree in Australia or New Zealand.

Susan Slobac advises college students on study abroad opportunities in the South Pacific region. She specializes in providing guidance about Australia undergraduate degree programs as well as those in New Zealand.

Study Law in Australia

By Rohini Verma

Studying Law in the professional environment of Australia provides a lot many opportunities to students. The biggest temptation for students to join law courses is the bright future of law students. These courses bring along status, prestige and wonderful employment opportunities.

Law schools in Australia provide legal training across many areas so open doors of variety of sectors like politics, business, international law, intellectual property law, banking and legal studies related to sports, health, and the media. If you have already graduated in any other discipline then your law degree would be of three years. After secondary schooling degree would probably take four to five years for completion.

Many schools allow you to take 'double degree': that is, in a five years period a student undertakes two degrees in parallel - one of them law and the other might be Arts, Commerce or Science. In that case, you would finish your tertiary education in Australia with two degrees. Main universities and schools of Law are following:

Monash university- Victoria-Melbourne: Monash University is among the top three universities of Australia. Studying law at Monash offers a lot of flexibility to students. Monash provides in-depth coverage of all sectors related to law. The impressive resources and reputation of Monash University is bound to escalate the career growth of all students. The staff at Monash helps in developing critical thinking and skills for research and analysis. Monash Law is a high quality, innovative course for a changing world and produces graduates for Australian and international employers.

Murdoch University- Perth: Murdoch University has a progressive outlook and is totally committed to quality. These factors make Murdoch's Law School the natural choice for students from whole world interested in a career in the Law. The curriculum of law school has been moulded to meet the needs of our modern society. Course is having a strong international perspective so offers opportunities across the world. Many of the ex-students of this university work with organisations such as the United Nations, in places such as Kosovo and the Gaza Strip with the United Nations Peace Keeping Force, and in New York at the United Nations.

University of New South Wales-Sydney: UNSW Law School graduates are held in the highest regard in Australia and overseas. UNSW has got international recognition due to large number of its students getting Rhodes, Fulbright and other prestigious scholarships every year. The Law School has had 5 Rhodes Scholars in the last 7 years - an achievement which is not matched by any other university in Australia. University offers various courses like Law in information age, Sport and law in western world, Cyberspace law, Criminal law, Children and law, commercial law, Disability rights and law, Industrial law, Insurance law, Media law, Public interest litigation, Laws of banking, Social security law and Sports law.

University of Sydney: University of Sydney has one of the world's finest Law Schools. Sydney Law School is famous for its commitment to excellence in legal education. This was the first Law School to be established in Australia. University concentrates on small group teaching of its undergraduate programs and the extensive range of postgraduate programs. Special emphasis is given on international and comparative law.

Bond University: One of the Top-Ranked Australian Law Schools, it was the first private university of Australia. The Bond Law School provides a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees which will surely equip you for careers in the legal profession, business and government. The School has expertise in all major areas of law. Faculty of law is in Queensland. Bond was listed by Forbes as one of the most expensive universities of world and the most expensive university of Australia for 2008.

Other important law schools include- University of New England- Law School, University of New Castle- School of Law, James cook University and Flinders University. All the universities specialize in one or more disciplines with in Law. So Australia is the best choice if you are interested in making a career in the field of Law.

Rohini Verma is a senior analyst and expert author for popular sites http://www.onlinedegreeshub.com and http://www.studyinaustralia.com

How to Choose the Right Medical Transcription Training Program

By Pam Lyon

When it comes to choosing the best Medical Transcription training program for oneself, it can be a very confusing a frustrating experience.

How do you know what a quality program and school looks like? There are so many advertisements out there and they all look great and promise great things. One of the things we really don't want to do is to pick a school that, when we go looking for that first job, turns out not to be one that the transcription employers look favorably on!

So how to choose?

Here are some guidelines you can use to help ensure you are picking the right training program for yourself. These guidelines are recommended by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI):

1. The program should be taught by qualified instructors who are credentialed experts in their respective fields.
2. The program should employ certified medical transcriptionists to teach medical transcription practice courses.The experienced pros will be able to give you all kinds of assistance and show you tips and tricks that someone who has merely studied cannot.
3. The program should indicate the number of classroom hours students actually perform medical transcription.
4. The program should indicate the number of minutes of actual physician dictation used for practice (The Model Curriculum recommends 30 dictated hours of actual physician dictation.)It is all right to start out with dictation not done by physicians for getting a feel for it, but you MUST have actual physician-dictated material to work with, or you will be lost when you get in the real world!
5. Will the school provide names and addresses of former students as references?Contact them. Find out what they liked, and didn't like.
6. Does the school have an advisory board? Does it include certified medical transcriptionists?
7. The program should indicate length of externship or on-the-job experience available (The Model Curriculum recommends 10 dictated hours of authentic physician dictation, for a total of 40 dictated hours during the training program.)
8. It should include relevant publications among its educational materials.
9. The school should use the AAMT Book of Style for Medical Transcription, 2nd edition in its training curriculum.
10. The program should be based on The Model Curriculum for Medical Transcription*, 3rd edition, published by AHDI, which recommends courses in the following:
    • English grammar and punctuation
    • Medical language
    • Anatomy and physiology
    • Disease processes
    • Pharmacology and laboratory medicine
    • Transcription technology
    • Medical transcription practice
    • Healthcare records
11. Privacy, ethics, and other medicolegal issues
12. Lastly, the school should offer job placement assistance. This can be invaluable! What a relief to know that the school, with all its business contacts, is in your corner helping you find that all-important first job!

As you can see, there is a lot more to choosing the right medical transcription training program than you might think at first. But if you stick to the guidelines presented here, you have a great chance to end up in a good program.

Are you really interested in Medical Transcription? Inside Medical Transcription - Discover how to get going in this great career field and start off running! Start living the life you want. Discover what it's like to work for yourself. Learn how you can take control of your life, and say goodbye to your boss. You can get an instant download, and start reading all of the *secrets* in less than 3 minutes. http://www.insidemedicaltranscription.com Take action right now. Click that link above and change your life.

Professors - What a Desk Is

By Meggin McIntosh

Surely I don't need to tell you what a desk is, do I? Well, given my 30+ years observing desks in the offices of professors (and essentially every other profession), apparently people could use some reminding about what a desk is. Here are some ideas to keep in mind.

A desk is....

1. A place to work (writing grants, grading papers, drafting agendas, putting together tenure papers, and so forth). You must have the space on your desk to do this kind of work.
   
2. A place to think (muse, wonder, goal-set, strategize). You need to have a desk free of a multitude of distractions so that your mind can wander and do the amazing work that it was created to do.
   
3. A place to read (mail, letters, articles, essays, journal articles, and the like). You want to have the space to do this type of reading, without distraction and without losing something you're reading in the midst of a pile of other items.
   
4. A place to create (plans, presentations, lessons, calendars, research concepts). Your brain is set up to create. Prepare space on your desk where you can create without distraction.
   
5. A place to write (articles, proposals, grant applications, thank you notes, speeches, lists, ideas). It is certainly much easier to write on a flat surface rather than having your writing pad, note, letter you're signing precariously perched atop books, folders, tools, or whatever else might be scattered around on your desk.
   
6. A place to sketch & mindmap (ideas, plans, directions, workshops). Certainly, software exists to sketch and mind-map, oftentimes, a pad, a pen or marker, and a flat surface is all you need to put your mental model onto paper.
   
7. A place to process (what you've read, what you've heard, what you have in your in-box). Thinking is what you are paid to do. Problem solving is part of why you have a brain. Sitting and thinking and processing at your desk...very nice.
   
8. A place to hold meetings (with one--or more than one--other person). It is ever so much more pleasant (and more professional) to be able to meet in your office without having to apologize for the state of your desk.
   
9. A place to listen (to someone in your office or someone on the telephone). Multi-tasking is really not an option. You don't want the 'noise' of a cluttered desk pulling you away from listening to the person right in front of you or the one on the other end of the phone line.
   
10. And just in case the previous listing didn't help, according to The American Heritage Dictionary, a desk is "1. A piece of furniture typically having a flat or sloping top for writing and often drawers or compartments. 2. A table, counter, or booth at which specified services or functions are performed."

Can you describe your desk using these definitions? If not, why not?

Let me pose this question: "Does being peacefully productivity frighten you, just a little?" Don't worry. Both your reputation and your self-esteem will benefit from improved organization. Students, colleagues, your administrators, and other members of the public will notice...and you might enjoy your job even more, too!

Keep moving forward on your goals for more peaceful productivity. Join others (worldwide) who receive Meggin's weekly emails (and see what is available for download at no cost at the following websites): **Top Ten Productivity Tips (http://www.TopTenProductivityTips.com) **From the Desk of Meggin McIntosh (http://FromtheDeskofMegginMcIntosh.com) (c) 2008 by Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D., "The Productivity Professor"(tm). Through her company, Emphasis on Excellence, Inc., Meggin McIntosh changes what people know, feel, dream, and do. Sound interesting? It is!

Professors - Using a Tickler (1 - 31) File

By Meggin McIntosh

There are many things I could live without....a tickler file is not one of them (at least if I intend to continue being productive).

The "tickler" or 1-31 file has been around for many years. The numbers 1 - 31 correspond, obviously, to the days of the month and the items you place in this file are meant to "tickle" your brain into doing something with those items. Here are ten ideas for using your tickler file for enhanced peaceful productivity.

1. Get or prepare a tickler file. You can use 31 manilla (or other color) folders labeled with their corresponding numbers, 31 hanging folders labeled with their corresponding numbers, or an accordion file with 31 slots that are already labeled. Note: Have a tickler file for your home as well as your workplace.
   
   
2. Put your tickler file where it is easily accessible from your main desk or workstation. It it's not close by, you are unlikely to use it. Have it within reach.
   
   
3. When you are processing your physical in-box and you determine that an item needs to be handled on a certain day, drop that item or a reminder piece of paper into that day's slot or folder. If the item is very small, staple or tape it to a larger piece of paper. You might drop in a note about a phone call you need to make on a certain day, e-tickets you need, or the deadline for a particular offer that you want to take advantage of, etc. Anything that is day-specific should be placed in the corresponding day's folder.
   
   
4. Get in the habit of putting agendas, plane tickets, hotel confirmations, etc. into the day's numbered slot or folder on which you will need them. You won't believe the peace you'll feel when you can find everything you need--on the day you need it!
   
   
5. If you prefer not to mail in your bill payments sooner than necessary, put bills in your home or office tickler file on the day they should be mailed. Obviously, you have to remember to check the tickler file daily. This is why you need to have a tickler file at home and not just at the university.
   
   
6. If you prepare birthday, anniversary, or other holiday cards at the beginning of the month, drop them into the slot for the day you want to mail them. Friends, family, and colleagues will be impressed with your care and timeliness.
   
   
7. If you are going to be out of town for a day or more, then go through the upcoming folders or slots to ensure that you have everything you need while you're out of town. It's helps to take folders with you marked with the days as you're traveling. you continue to have what you need, when you need it.
   
   
8. If you find that you cannot come into the office, call someone, ask him/her to pull everything out of the day's slot and go through it with you. You will be able to tell your secretary, grad assistant, or colleague what needs to be handled and what can wait until your return.
   
   
9. Special note to teaching faculty: Put a note about where the tests or other learning activities you need to take to class with you are located. This way, you'll grab what you need to take to your class.
   
   
10. Check your tickler file as the last act of every day or as the first act of every morning. Once this becomes a habit, you'll wonder what you ever did without a 1-31 file.

Note: Some items need to be handled in upcoming months, not in the current month, so you will need to have January - December files as well. Be sure to have those folders prepared, as well.

Keep moving forward on your goals for more peaceful productivity. Join others (worldwide) who receive Meggin's weekly emails (and see what is available for download at no cost at the following websites): **Top Ten Productivity Tips http://www.TopTenProductivityTips.com **Keys to Keeping Chaos at Bay http://www.KeepingChaosatBay.com (c) 2008 by Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D., "The Productivity Professor"(tm). Through her company, Emphasis on Excellence, Inc., Meggin McIntosh changes what people know, feel, dream, and do. Sound interesting? It is!

Professors - Preparing For Egress and Ingress

By Meggin McIntosh

No matter what kind of job or life you have, sometimes your day-to-day situation changes. As a professor, your work involves numerous travel opportunities, research collaborations, conferences, sabbaticals, and the like--all of which affect YOU and those around you. Is that an understatement, or what?!

This article is about wisely considering and preparing for those "planned" changes, such as when you know:

1. You are going to be out for surgery (your own or a family member's);
2. You are going to attend and/or present at a conference;
3. You are going to be out on vacation/annual leave.

Keep the following in mind as you planfully prepare for your egress (absence) and ingress (return).

Egress: Preparing for an absence:

• Consider the wear and tear on your body, mind, and soul when preparing to travel, getting ready to present at a conference, being out for surgery, etc. Don't head out the door already worn down to a nub. If you need to get extra sleep, go to the chiropractor, take a little bit of extra time with your family, or anything else that gets you ready to be 'out,' then plan to do so.
  
  
• Acknowledge the fact that your mail and email will continue to arrive while you aren't in your office to handle it. Set up structures for retrieving the email and mail so that it's "contained" when you return. If you are able to access email and voice mail while you're out, then do so to reduce the amount that's there when you get back. However, if you're out for surgery, then just make sure that someone else is monitoring and keeping everything 'handled' so you can focus on recuperating.

• Know that the way you plan for your final day before being out makes a huge difference to you and to others. Running around like a chicken with your head cut off is neither productive nor positive for you or anyone else. Notice the word PLAN in this suggestion. That's the key. It's not just another day--it's a unique day because of the extra preparation it takes right before you're out of the office for several days.
• Be thoughtful of yourself and of the people who will handle things in your absence. Give others as much information as they need to be able to assist while you're gone. People want to help you and will do so if you've provided the information and clear direction they need so that they can.
• Determine what, if any, access others will have to you when you are absent. Are you available or not? Decide and let others know.

Now, Ingress: Planning for returning after an absence:

• Recognize and acknowledge the wear and tear on your body, mind, and soul due to travel, interaction at a conference, presenting, being out sick, etc. Be wise about how you try to return. If you think you'll be able to be at full steam right away, it's unlikely you will. Give yourself the time you need to recover. Put a placeholder into your planner that says "Recover." It's the right term to use when you've been in the hospital or attending a conference for several days. You need to recover.
  
  
• Consider the fact that your mail and email have continued to arrive while you weren't in your office to keep up with it. The best of all worlds is if you can dedicate an entire day (your "recover" day) to moving through the email and mail that have come while you were out, but when that isn't realistic, given you life and work, then at least spend an additional 30" - 1 hour each day until you clear it out. Leaving it stacked up (literally or figuratively is not productive and feels quite "weighty").
  
  
• How you approach your first day on return can make a big difference to your time management-for a week or more, depending on how long you have been out. Avoid scheduling something first thing on the morning you return. It's nice to "ease" back into the routine and is actually far more productive.
  
  
• Know that others have been going along (and managing) while you were out. Give them recognition where it's needed and be respectful of others, e.g., not expecting anyone to drop what s/he is doing to try to get you back in the groove.
  
  
• Now, do what is reasonable to get back into the flow. Depending on how much time you were out, it may take an hour of extra time or it may take days. Notice the patterns so that you can plan even better in the future.

Consider these ideas so you can inject more sense (and less chaos) into the various egress and ingress scenarios that the 21st century professor experiences.

Keep moving forward on your goals for more peaceful productivity. Join others (worldwide) who receive Meggin's weekly emails (and see what is available for download at no cost at the following websites): **Top Ten Productivity Tips (http://www.TopTenProductivityTips.com) **Keys to Keeping Chaos at Bay (http://www.KeepingChaosatBay.com) (c) 2008 by Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D., "The Productivity Professor"(tm). Through her company, Emphasis on Excellence, Inc., Meggin McIntosh changes what people know, feel, dream, and do. Sound interesting? It is!

Professors - Keeping Meetings on Track When You Are Not In-Charge

By Meggin McIntosh

Sometimes, the person in charge of a meeting doesn't do what is required to help keep the meeting on track...and then it becomes necessary for someone in attendance to help do that. If that person is you (and it might as well be you!), then here are some tips:

1. Ask the person in charge to send an agenda ahead of time. This request alone will surprise people since so many meetings that are held have no agenda whatsoever, and for the ones that do, they are rarely sent ahead of time.
   
   
2. If the person in charge doesn't think an agenda is needed, offer to help put one together with his/her input. Because of the novelty of the idea of having an agenda, this request may be rejected--or may be welcomed. Be ready to insist gently that you can help. Remember, it's going to make the meeting more effective for you and all the others in attendance.
   
   
3. If, however, an agenda still has not been sent prior to the meeting, ask that one be generated at the start of the meeting. Your colleagues may be stunned when you make this request, however you are demonstrating leadership by asking for an agenda (something that essentially all professionals know that good meetings have, although an agenda does not necessarily ensure a good meeting!). You can certainly ask it in such a way that everyone 'saves face.' For example, when I was a professor, sometimes I'd say, "Gosh, I can easily get off track, so could we possibly generate an agenda so that I can stay focused."
   
   
4. Always bring your planner/calendar (paper or electronic) to the meeting and encourage others to do so, also. There's no excuse for people to come to a meeting with nothing more than their head, especially at university meetings where more meetings are often scheduled at the current meeting.
   
   
5. Bring a few pads of Post-it® notes, flip chart paper, and markers to the meetings, just in case they are needed and aren't readily available. Yes, it means you have to schlep a few items, but it pays off, believe me. Sticky notes were the items I most often had handy (and took along deliberately).
   
   
6. Listen intently to the exchange during the meeting so that you can interject helpful comments and redirect people by asking cogent questions. As much as you may want to escape to a mental place other than at the meeting, be intentional about staying with the meeting so you can help support and guide the process.
   
   
7. If no one is designated to take minutes, volunteer. Keeping the minutes forces you to listen differently and to ensure that details are included (e.g., decisions, names of those responsible, etc.) The recorder is the most powerful member of a group as s/he determines the written history of the session.
   
   
8. Send out the minutes (or comments related to the meeting) via email as soon as possible after the meeting has concluded. This is another action that will surprise people. You'll get a reputation (a positive one).
   
   
9. Ask that the next meeting be scheduled before the current meeting ends...and since everyone will have their planner (see #4), this should be doable.
   
   
10. Be prepared to be a leader. Leaders sometimes have the title, but many times, actions are the distinguishing factor.

Often people think these ideas sound too bold. Here's my response...Be bold. Be productive and help others be productive, too.

Keep moving forward on your goals for more peaceful productivity. Join others (worldwide) who receive Meggin's weekly emails (and see what is available for download at no cost at the following websites): **Top Ten Productivity Tips http://www.TopTenProductivityTips.com **Keys to Keeping Chaos at Bay http://www.KeepingChaosatBay.com (c) 2008 by Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D., "The Productivity Professor"(tm). Through her company, Emphasis on Excellence, Inc., Meggin McIntosh changes what people know, feel, dream, and do. Sound interesting? It is!

Professors - Keeping Meetings on Track When You Are in Charge

By Meggin McIntosh

"Executives waste 7.8 hours each week in meetings." Office Pro Nov/Dec 2000.

From my years of being a professor, I know this statistic to be an understatement--and you may, too. This article offers ideas for making your "meeting" life more productive. The ideas are specifically for keeping meetings on track (vs. meandering around through various topics, times, etc.) when YOU are in charge of the meeting.

1. Do not provide food for participants. If the meeting is only 1 - 2 hours, there certainly does not need to be a 'spread' because of the potential for distraction and off-task discussion and focus.
   
   
2. To keep brief meetings brief, stand up for the meeting. The minute people sit down, you've added at least double the time. For meetings that really should only last for 5 - 15 minutes, just stand and get the business taken care of.
   
   
3. For longer meetings, make sure that the meeting room is set up and ready for the meeting before people arrive. It means that you may have to arrive a few moments early to ensure that everything is arranged productively, and it's time well spent in terms of the overall productivity of the meeting.
   
   
4. Send out the agenda in advance and ask (and expect) that participants bring the agenda you have sent out. This will be a culture shift at many campuses (i.e., first, that there's an agenda sent in advance and second, that there is not another one handed out at the meeting).
   
   
5. Start and end the meeting at the times you have advertised (i.e., promised) on the agenda. This alone will set you apart from others. You'll be seen as a person of your word and someone who knows how to be productive and help others be productive, too.
   
   
6. The advance agenda needs to include start and stop times for each item, the name of the person(s) responsible for each item, and enough information about the item that it directs participants' thinking prior to the meeting. A productive leader creates agendas that actually provide direction. An agenda that says, 1. budget, 2. parking, 3. comps, etc. just doesn't do that.
   
   
7. Post the agenda on chart paper, a white board, via PowerPoint, or a transparency so that everyone can keep the agenda in view at all times and you can easily refer to it. This should be done in addition to the paper or electronic one that people already have. There's something about having something visual for everyone to be redirected to, as needed.
   
   
8. Put the most important items first on the agenda. If you don't get to a particular topic or item on the agenda, you want it to be the least important, not the most important. Putting key items first also underscores your commitment to start on time and not fritter away the first 10 or 15 minutes on minutia.
   
   
9. Create a way (e.g., a "parking lot") to capture ideas that are tangential to the agenda (i.e., that would take the group down a different path) but that you don't want to lose. This displays that you don't want to dismiss the ideas or thoughts that are being shared, but that you believe it would side track the group from its focus at this time.
   
   
10. When a participant tries to derail the meeting or extend the time originally allotted for an item, redirect everyone's attention to the agenda that is posted on the wall (board, projector) or that is right in front of them. You can certainly do this in a professional and firm manner that ensures that the main objectives of the meeting are addressed within the allotted time frame.

Remember, you are in charge of the meeting, and that means designing it to be productive--and then being proactive to keep it that way.

Keep moving forward on your goals for more peaceful productivity. Join others (worldwide) who receive Meggin's weekly emails (and see what is available for download at no cost at the following websites): **Top Ten Productivity Tips http://www.TopTenProductivityTips.com **Keys to Keeping Chaos at Bay http://www.KeepingChaosatBay.com (c) 2008 by Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D., "The Productivity Professor"(tm). Through her company, Emphasis on Excellence, Inc., Meggin McIntosh changes what people know, feel, dream, and do. Sound interesting? It is!

Dublin Universities - University College Dublin (UCD)

By Mairead Foley

History of UCD...

UCD was formed in 1880 by combining two separate institutions and has grown to become one of the top universities in Ireland. And it has had some of the most famous figures in Irish history as its staff and students with James Joyce, Padraig Pearse, Douglas Hyde and it's believed by some that Eamonn De Valera attended too.

UCD Today...

The popularity of UCD continued to grow and by the 1960's the first move was made from various city centre locations to the Belfield Campus in South Dublin in order to accommodate the ever-increasing number of students. Belfield is now a modern campus where most of the university is located and it's also the location of much of the student residence.

Special mention must go to UCD's leisure and sports facilities at Belfield as these are regarded as the best in the country. In general, UCD'S Belfield Campus continues to grow with long-term developments aimed at increasing the level of excellence at the university.

UCD Courses & Student Union...

In total there are five colleges within UCD along with 35 associated schools and 18 research centres. The five main colleges are - College of Arts & Celtic Studies; College of Business & Law

College of Engineering, Mathematical & Physical Sciences; College of Human Sciences; College of Life Sciences.

UCD has a vibrant and extremely active Students Union and due to the excellent sporting facilities on offer, the university has numerous clubs that compete at both a regional and national level in all sports including GAA, soccer and rugby.

UCD's Location & How To Get There...

UCD is located at the Belfield Campus which is about 4km south of the city centre. The university is situated just off the N11 so follow signs for the N11 as you approach Dublin whether you're using the M50 Motorway or arriving from the north or south of the country.

Areas of Dublin that surround Belfield include Clonskeagh, Booterstown, Stillorgan and Windy Arbour while the suburbs of Rathmines, Ranelagh Rathfarnham and Dundrum are also close by.

There are very good public transport links out to UCD with Dublin Bus running regular services. You can take a direct bus by catching numbers 3, 10, 11B, and 17 - from O'Connell Street in the city centre, you can catch numbers 3, 10 and 11B.

Apart from Dublin Bus, there are also Bus Eireann services that operate from Bus Aras (Dublin's Central Bus Station) to the suburbs of South Dublin and some of these service the Belfield Campus. In addition, during term time Bus Eireann runs a free shuttle service from UCD to Bus Aras twice a day and is available to anyone who has a valid Bus Eireann ticket.

If you're arriving at Dublin Airport, a handy option would be to take the Aircoach to Leopardstown/Sandyford/Stillorgan as this service runs past the Belfield Campus - just tell the bus driver when you get on that you want to stop at UCD.

Mairead Foley writes for the Ireland travel and accommodation website http://www.goireland.com/. Visit GoIreland for all you need to know before visiting Dublin, like what to see and where to go. View B&Bs, guesthouses and self catering in Dublin as well as Dublin hotels.

Dublin Universities - Dublin City University - DCU

By Mairead Foley

History of DCU...

DCU began life in 1975 as the National Institute for Higher Education and in 1989 it achieved university status. In the early days, DCU was focused largely on science and technology although it quickly evolved into other areas of learning such its large business school and then electrical engineering and computer science studies.

Famous figures who are part of DCU's academic staff include former Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) John Bruton and the guru Edward De Bono.

DCU Today...

Along with its wide range of courses, DCU has top-class facilities in its North Dublin location including expansive student accommodation. Unlike the traditional 'halls of residence' style accommodation favoured by some universities, DCU student accommodation largely consists of apartments which have ensuite rooms with shared living areas.

DCU has the latest in sports facilities on campus including 25 metre swimming pool, 75 metre indoor running track, astro-turf & grass pitches, squash and handball courts, rock climbing hall and a high-tech gym.

DCU is quite famous for its research as the institution has numerous research centres that are heavily involved in various projects on a national and international basis. And the DCU Library is one of the finest in the country with access to over 100 academic databases. Other notable features of the DCU Campus is the Helix Theatre, The Centre for Talented Youth and numerous retail outlets which all add to the overall experience of life at DCU.

DCU Courses & Student Union...

DCU has a wide range of faculties that contain individual schools with the main areas being Faculty of Engineering & Computing; Faculty of Science & Health; Faculty of Humanities & Social Science and DCU Business School.

Student life at DCU is greatly enhanced by the energetic Students Union who are involved in various publications and events that are specifically aimed at DCU students. DCU also has a number of clubs and societies that add greatly to life on campus.

DCU's Location & How To Get There...

As it's situated in the suburban areas of Glasnevin and Whitehall, DCU is really well served by public transport. Dublin Bus run services that stop on Ballymun Road and Collins Avenue entrances to DCU while other routes run close to the campus by stopping on nearby Glasnevin Avenue and Swords Road.

Dubin Bus route numbers 3, 4, 11, 11A, 11B, 13, 13A, 16, 16A, 17A, 19A, 33, 41, 41B, 41C, 46X, 58X, 103, 104 and 105 all service DCU and from O'Connell Street (Dublin city centre) you can catch bus nos. 3, 4, 11, 11A, 11B, 13, 13A, 16, 16A and 19A.

If you're planning to drive to DCU from outside Dublin, take the M50 Motorway and continue until you see the Ballymun Exit (Junction 4). Follow these signs and drive through Ballymun and you'll then be able to follow the signs for DCU which is located on Collins Avenue.

If you're driving from Dublin City Centre, take the N1 through Drumcondra in the direction of the M1. Drive past the junction for Griffith Avenue and you'll then come to the junction at Whitehall (this is a crossroads) where you should turn left onto Collins Avenue and you'll find DCU on your left hand side.

Mairead Foley writes for the Ireland travel and accommodation website http://www.goireland.com/ Visit GoIreland for all you need to know before visiting Dublin, like what to see and where to go. View B&Bs, guesthouses and self catering in Dublin as well as Dublin hotels

How Much is a College Education Really Worth These Days?

By Lance Winslow

Many folks who go to college end up making more money over their life time than those who do not and yet, we know that some of the top billionaires in the world skipped college or even dropped out. But, how can this be possible if college makes you smarter and teaches you how to earn a solid living? Well, college does teach you how to earn a living and the statistics do not lie; folks that go to college on average do make more money.

Not long ago, someone who studies education and even offers online classes in several subjects stated that; Education plus Life Experience is equal to a full on college degree. This is an interesting statement, and it assumes that one's education in industry or personal studies is worthy, it's not always, but if it were, this statement makes sense.

When they say that; education + life experience = a college degree type education; I believe that they are giving far too much credit to a college education. I believe that experience and actual know-how far trump the brain washing of a college education. Look, Bill Gates is no idiot, neither is Michael Dell or anyone else that left school after seeing it for what it is. Some say that the fact that people can drop out of college and become a billionaire is a testament to the freedoms and free enterprise we have in America, where opportunity abounds. If billionaires can become that wealthy after dropping out of college then what is a college education really worth these days?

Well, if you look at the statistics and the time value of money, it almost seems like a wash considering the high-price of colleges and universities. Those who borrow the money for student loans spend years trying to pay them off, while the compounded interest ticks away. Someone who goes to work, learns a trade and starts their own business often live next door to the professional laden in education debts. It is indeed something to think about.

"Lance Winslow" - Lance Winslow's Bio. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/.

Definitive Guide to Wayne State University

By Jeremy Burr

Wayne State University is a major university located in Detroit. It was founded in 1868, and is generally considered to be a research intensive school, ranking very respectably with other public universities. It sits on a 203 acre campus in the cultural center, just north of downtown Detroit, and consists of over 100 education and research buildings. It also has several satellite campuses in the metro Detroit area.

Wayne State University has 12 schools and colleges covering over 350 disciplines for its 34,000+ graduate and undergraduate students. It boasts around 2700 faculty, giving it a respectable 13/1 student to faculty ratio. With its $210 million endowment, tocohere has been a lot of major construction going on over the last few years, and into the near future. With this construction, will come many additions and updates for its existing programs, as well as more student housing in an effort to move away from its reputation as a commuter school.

Wayne State University School of Medicine is the largest single-campus medical school in the country. Its Med School was ranked 22nd in the country recently. Wayne State is also a book lovers dream with over 3.4 million volumes in the library system, giving it the 68th largest collection in the country and it sits across the street from the main branch of the Detroit Public Library which houses the 15th largest collection in the United States.

Although the city of Detroit has a notoriously bad reputation, the campus of Wayne State University is relatively safe, and it sits in the middle of a culturally rich area that includes the Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Historical Museum, Detroit Science Center, Fox Theatre, Detroit Opera House and more, all within walking distance.

In athletics, the school nickname is the Warriors and their colors are green and gold. WSU is a division II school in every sport except womens hockey, where it is NCAA Division I. All other sports are NCAA Division II in the GLIAC. They are not well known for their athletics, although they won 10 National Championships in 15 years in mens and womens fencing from 1975-1989.

Some notable alumni of WSU include Hugh Downs of CBS fame, Kasey Kasem, Helen Thomas of the Washington Press Corps, Larry Brilliant, Executive officer of google.org, Billionaire Detroit Pistons owner Bill Davidson, Dan Gilbert founder of Rock Financial and Quicken Loans, several U.S. Representatives and even Christine Beatty, the mistress, and co-conspirator of disgraced former mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

Overall, Wayne State is a great choice for a University. Due to its location, you get great exposure to an urban campus and the deep cultural richness of the area. The cost to attend is very affordable in comparison to other similar sized schools in Michigan, and the quality of education is second only to the University of Michigan in most rankings. So if you are looking to attend school in the area, and want the most bang for your buck, you cannot go wrong with Wayne State University.

About the author: Jeremy Burr is the creator and chief educational writer for http://www.MyNextCollege.com He currently resides in Detroit, and attends Wayne State University.

Greatest 6 Insider Secrets You Must Know to Getting All the Money You Need For College

By Earlvin Harris

Whenever you're a college bound student, or the parent of one, make a point to understand this article, because it may well be the most significant thing you ever read! Most families wind up going through all forms of anxiety and frustration when it pertains to coming up with the money you require to pay off for college. And with serious reason. The average cost of ONE year of college straddles between $16,000 and $45,000! And, these costs are climbing by as much as 7-8% annually! It will cost anywhere from $64,000 - $180,000 for a four year education. PER student! Households dread being forced to spend their retirement savings, go deeply into debt or even broke. But, it doesn't have to be this way!

The Facts About College financing exposed!

Most families fall under the trap of college financing hell. They get all sorts of bogus information from accountants, tax advisors, guidance counselors, financial assistance offices, banks you call it. Most people hold no clue about the TRUTH of how college funding actually works! They generally fill the forms out incorrect, get crummy advice, believe they earn too much or little money, or place money in the improper places, and so forth. For example, did you know that arranging money in one place can disqualify you for financial backing, when the exact same amount of money in a similar account will help you acquire money? Or that certain tax saving strategies will shipwreck your college financing chances? Or even that you are able to get accepted at a more expensive college and actually pay less out of pocket than at a more costly school? See, there is a method that tells you:

1. Precisely what you should arrange before applying! What you should be looking at is where your student fits in the academic standing to the schools they are applying to. So if they're applying to let's say a mid range college and they belonged the top 25% of the average of applicants based on their grade point average and the SAT or ACT scores, that's a good thing. Schools favor these statistics and tend to give more money to students meeting these criteria.

2. How to apply! (Most people mess this up severely!) You will have to totally, precisely and on time, complete different forms from the Government, State, public institutions and private institutions. These forms range from college applications to pupil loans and everything in between. A lot of folks believe it's easy; but again, there's plenty of room for error. The schools consider these matters with a fine-toothed comb and you want to make certain that you do them right because again, if you don't, it's just going to get you less assistance.

3. How to select schools that will grant you the better financial deals! (Why waste time with schools that don't grant you the most money?) A few schools can contribute more money. Some schools cannot. A few schools contribute a lot of it in free money. Some schools give a lot of it in loan money. You'd better know these things before you begin applying. If you know, you could better align yourself to receive this money.

4. How to arrange your affairs to get the most money! There are many strategies in this area. One primary crucial fact to keep in mind is the difference between a "tax credit" and a "tax deduction". A tax deduction reduce your taxable income, on the other hand, tax credits reduce income tax dollar for dollar. It is always best to get a credit than a deduction when it comes to financial aid formulas.

5. Who you should listen to! (This will surprise you!) Unquestionably not the college financial aid officers. Calling for colleges to help you with financial aid or to get more money is about like calling for an IRS agent to help you get more back from taxes. It just will not happen

6. How to get money even if you don't qualify for need based aid! There are many other strategies parents with incomes over $100,000 can apply to pay for college. For example, there are certain types of loans that allow you to pay for college on tax favored basis. There are also special exams to pass out of certain college level courses. Also there are many "non-need" based awards that most colleges won't even consider you for unless you first apply for college financial support.

The bottom line is that there are numerous insider secrets to acquiring the maximum money for college, but you simply aren't going to discover them from magazine articles, school employees and counselors, accountants, etc.! This is where a specialist may come in convenient. Just as people use a tax professional to lower taxes it may be wise to employ a college funding specialist to lower your out of pocket college costs.

Let's face it. Getting a college education is crucial to make it in the world nowadays. The problem is that getting through school takes more than hitting the books and working hard. IT ALSO calls for A PILE OF DOUGH! Isn't college nerve-racking enough without adding the burden of the money issue to make it even worse? If your child is diligent and motivated enough to go to college, shouldn't they have the choice of going to the school they really want to attend? You know that's true, but for most families, this doesn't happen because of one reason and one reason alone. Not having the appropriate financing! Many families literally put on the line spending everything they have and more...to get their child through a decent college. But, it doesn't have to be this way. All you need is one simple tool at your disposal: The Right Knowledge! If you understand how the college funding system actually works, the odds are very high that your son or daughter can attend the best school for them and not cast you in the poor house!

For parents, it is a must to know how the funding system works, what alternatives you have available to get money...and how to acquire more money for college than you imagined conceivable!

Earlvin Harris is a well respected wealth coach, author, speaker, entrepreneur and teacher. Mr. Harris' report "9 Highly Guarded Secrets to Getting the Maximum Money for College and Avoid Going Broke - REVEALED" can be received FREE. Email him at info@earlvinharris.com or visit his website at http://www.earlvinharris.com