Studying Abroad Is A Viable Option For Most College Students

Students who are thinking about studying abroad in college must make some decisions when it comes to fitting this valuable experience into their degree programs. After all, many students have tight schedules when it comes to completing college, but that doesn't mean they want to give up on a meaningful study abroad experience. Looking into your options when it comes to the length of your study abroad program can help you decide whether you can fit this experience in.

In some cases, students want to experience a full immersion in the culture of their host country. These students may opt to spend an entire academic year living and learning in a country of their choice. While studying abroad, students will have an experience similar to that of a college student native to that host country. They will attend classes at a local college or university and have the opportunity both to acquire the local language and to truly get to know the surrounding area.

Studying abroad for an entire year is an educational and life-changing experience for students who opt to make this long-term commitment. Of course, this choice is not right for everyone. Students who study abroad for a year should be prepared for transitional periods that will occur when relocating to the host country as we;; as when returning to the United States at the year's close. This intense experience is rewarding but may be too long of a period for some students to spend away from family and friends.

For many students, spending a semester abroad is just right. A semester can go by quickly, but it will also provide ample time to explore your host country, improve your language skills, and meet many interesting people. You will live and learn at a local college or university in a slightly less intensive way.

A semester abroad is usually the most common choice for college students looking to get this experience. A semester abroad does come with big changes, and students must allow themselves time to adapt to the culture and language of their host country. This experience is often more manageable for students than an entire year abroad.

For some students, a semester may not be possible. It could be that you can't allow yourself the time to complete a more leisurely semester abroad, especially if finances are an issue or if you have specific goals that must be met in a timely manner. Chances are, however, that you have time for a summer study abroad program.

A summer program allows students to earn some college credits and also have a fun and educational experience during the summer. These programs vary in length from a few weeks to the whole summer. If you otherwise can't manage to study abroad during your academic year, a summer abroad program may be the ideal solution.

Studying abroad is an experience that every college student should have, if possible. Of course, everyone has different college-related goals and plans, but if a study abroad experience is something that interests you, you should be able to find a program length that fits your needs. Keep in mind that summer opportunities abroad are very manageable.

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The Shame of College Sports

College sports are a great American institution; celebrated in prose and song; where in legend hearty student athletes strode across the sporting fields bringing honor and joy to the ivied halls of higher learning. But the reality of college sports is not so romantic.

Consider the players. Once student athletes, many are now athletes who often cannot find the classrooms. There are quality programs such as the military academies and premier schools like Stanford, Duke, Notre Dame and Wake Forest with high graduation rates. There are exceptional individuals as well, for example Myron Rolle strong safety for the University of Florida and a Rhodes Scholar. And analysis shows that graduation rates for student athletes are now the same as for the general population.

But these statistics hide the snake in the grass. Included in the overall athletic statistics are the minor sports, where graduation rates are high. Also added to the mix are the Ivy League schools and other schools that do not offer athletic scholarships. When only major sports at major sports schools are considered, the picture is far less rosy.

Graduation rates for football and basketball players are generally lower and in some cases dismal. The Connecticut men's basketball team has a graduation rate of 25%. Some entire schools are little better. Alabama graduates 44% of its athletes, Minnesota 44%, Georgia 41%, Texas 40% and Arizona 39%.

The question is why school administrations tolerate this. The answer, of course, is money. In 2009 Penn State's football program generated profits of $50 million on revenues of $70 million or a profit of $568,235 per football scholarship after factoring in the cost of the athlete's room and board and 'education'. The PAC-10 has a 12 year TV contract worth $3 billion. This monsoon of money has created a casual relationship with ethics.

Recent well publized scandals have led to the firing of coaches and executives at some of college's preeminent sports programs. The shame is that no action was taken until either media exposure or criminal proceedings had exposed the sordid details.

Thankfully high profile scandals like these, while a bitter condemnation of the ethics of college sports, are rare. What is not so rare is the professionalism of amateur sports. Colleges recruit blue ribbon basketball players they cynically know have no interest in the classroom. They are only playing out their mandatory college year before entering the NBA.

Top rank football players cannot enter the NFL draft for three years after graduation from high-school; which is beneficially for both the NFL and major colleges. The NFL gets three years of minor league instruction for its players at no cost and colleges make money off the players without having to pay them. College athletics has provided free or subsidized education for many athletes who have used it to embark on successful careers.

But consider the 32 athletes selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft. Only 12 of them had at least four years at college (and that includes years at junior colleges). Athletes in minor sports live in the general population. In the majors they live in athletic dormitories. In the minor sports they take courses in career building disciplines, in the majors they take courses to maintain eligibility. In the minors the coaching staff holds little sway in academic decisions. In the majors it takes a strong willed academic to derail the gravy train.

At its top level college sports is played by mercenaries who pick the schools that will best launch a professional career not for any academic benefit. Coaches will pay lip service to graduation, but no coach in the history of the major programs has ever been fired for a substandard graduation rate. It is a cynical exercise.

The author, Pitt Griffin, is fascinated by why people make the choices they do, some as common as the food they buy, others as important as the religion (if any) they chose or the politicians they elect.
Arrayed against the individual are businesses, politicians and religious leaders eager to take his money, her vote or his fealty. The author explores their tactics and strategies.
If you have an opinion you wish to share or a comment you want to make on any of my articles or would like to read more please visit me at my website: http://www.thecriticalmind.com/

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Make Your College Experience The Best By Practicing Healthy Habits

College Meal Plans

So you're off to college, and you're thinking about making new friends, studying hard, and starting a new chapter of your life. However, this may be the first time that you aren't being food shopped for by a parent of guardian, so now it's up to you to make the right eating decisions. You may not realize the huge impact our eating habits have on our well-being, but when you are hitting the books and trying to maintain a healthy level of energy, knowing what foods to eat and which to avoid can make a huge difference.

Use Common Sense

Most people love pizza, fast food burgers, fries, soda, and so on. These items are loaded with fat and can create a short-lived feeling of pleasure when we are consuming them. However, making choices like this will leave you feeling hungry sooner, won't provide you with the right nutrients you need, and can lead to you feeling lethargic. Of course, eating a meal composed of these items once a week won't cause any noticeable damage. It's important to use moderation with fatty food items like these.

Staying on top of your school work can be difficult, and sometimes we may not get all the sleep we need. It is very important to try and maintain a regular sleep schedule because, while your social life may not see the point, your body is designed to follow a rhythmic pattern of functioning.

College students often resort to coffee or energy drinks to cheat nature, but both of these will cause you to crash after a short period of time. Consuming energy drinks too often can cause you to crave foods that you don't really need. If you eat right, drink enough water, and honor the needs of your body, you will have plenty of energy to tend to your academics.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

The freshman 15 is a common phenomenon that new college students worry about. Slight weight gain is not the end of the world, but it can also be avoided. It's very important to make sure you are eating plenty of the right foods. You will not benefit from depriving yourself of the proper nutrition.

Some people turn to diet products when trying to avoid weight gain but still wanting to enjoy the foods they love. Diet soda is a perfect example of this, and a little known fact about diet soda is that it turns into formaldehyde in your system. Soda in general is not a good choice of beverage, since it contains high fructose corn syrup, loads of sugar, and no nutritional value. Drinking water will have a much more positive impact on your functioning.

Take advantage of on-campus exercise facilities. Many colleges provide their students with access to state of the art gyms and fitness facilities. Exercising will help you maintain strength, a healthy weight, and will give you more energy to get through the day. You can use gym time as an opportunity to spend time with friends by scheduling a time every day to meet there.

Healthy Habits

Making the decision to adhere to the wisdom of the food pyramid and your body may be new to you when you arrive at college for your freshman year, but there's no denying the benefits of a balanced diet. Healthy habits, once formed, are easy to stick by and can simplify an otherwise stressful day. Students enrolled in universities for online Bachelors degrees should also be on top of their health and well-being.

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No Rules 101: The Key to College SUCCESS

Ah, a new college year. Few things are more exciting than the beginning of a new college year: new classes, new professors, new students, and new adventures. I remember the anticipation as I walked into a new class for the first time. I remember sizing up the professor, checking out the other students and eagerly awaiting and dreading the new syllabus all at the same time. How many tests will I have to take? How many papers will I have to write? How many times can I miss class?

But I also remember the underlying pressure to figure out what I wanted to do for the rest of my life or, the more popular, who I wanted to be when I grew up. Let me save you some trouble now - you're never going to know what you want to do for the rest of your life so STOP WORRYING ABOUT IT!

Right now you may be saying to yourself, "But, that's not what my parents told me." Or "that's not what my teachers told me." Or "that's not what my best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend told me." Have no fear...Tonya's here! I'm here to debunk the rule myths that have plagued your life - starting with Rule Myth #1.

Rule Myth #1 - Your major will determine the rest of your life.

We all know that the days of working somewhere for 20 years are gone, but we haven't changed the way we go about things to reflect this. Of course, there are some people who find a career field and a job they love and are content staying with it, but they are an exception. For the most part people change their careers numerous times throughout their lives. I'm a great example of this. I've worked at a Fortune 500 IT company as a global marketing specialist, worked as a project manager for Goldman Sachs, been a caregiver in an Alzheimer's unit, taught college courses, been a diversity trainer, been the business manager for a used car lot, obtained a Master's degree, enlisted in the Army, and been a counterintelligence special agent with the Department of Defense, all after obtaining my bachelor's degree. And now I'm the President and CEO of my own business.

Despite my story and many like it, we still buy into the idea that your major in college somehow creates the path your life will take or that it somehow must. Now don't get me wrong, every step takes you somewhere. I'm not saying your choices don't have consequences, but let's be real about those consequences. The only thing your major in college determines, without fail, is the bulk of your course topics while you're in school. That's it. So choose wisely. Definitely get your degree. I'm 100% in favor of college and the education it provides. But, choose your major because it interests you. Choose your major because it affords you the opportunity to take the most number of courses that appeal to you. I took every course with the word "sex" in the title in college AND managed to work them into my educational plan. It can be done!

The guidelines and advice most of us enter college with are out-dated. I used to tell my students the best thing college can teach you is that the behaviors and attitudes you develop now will serve you - or disserve you - the rest of your life. If you abide by rules others create for you now, you're likely to continue that practice. Make college work for you and you'll learn how to make your life work for you. And remember...There Are No Rules!

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Tonya Dawn's heart and soul lie in two things: her family and her passion to change the world. She and her husband, Justin, founded TJ Recla. Her vision is to "Change the World by Redefining POWER."

Using their academic achievements and years of counterintelligence experience, they built a company that provides vital information for individual and organizational success.

Tonya's books, The 3-Day Abundance Challenge and WAR: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Power and Safety, provide practical, easy-to-use tools and are an essential read for anyone who wants POWERful, positive change.

From her experience as an Army soldier and US government spy-catching counterintelligence agent, Tonya delivers POWERful cognitive, emotional and physical tips.

Tonya's campaign "Live in the Pink!" is her testament to living life in awareness and harnessing the POWER in each moment.

Don't miss an opportunity to hear her story and take advantage of the training she designed to help individuals declare WAR on their fears and Live in the Pink!

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Best Laptops for College Students - Tips to Help You Make a Selection

Are you looking for the best laptops for college students for your child or sibling? Laptops are a necessity and not a luxury for college students because they help them get their work done in the best manner possible. They will need a college laptop for homework as well as research. There is no one best student laptop available today because the choice will have to be made based upon the needs of the individual person. Any students laptop buying guide tells you that you should understand the needs of the person for whom the laptop is intended so that you can make the right selection.

There are a few features that every laptop should ideally have. One of them is that it should be lightweight. There are lots of things that a college student needs to carry around. The best laptops for college students are therefore lightweight because they have to be carried around throughout the day. At the same time, this laptop should have sufficient computing power and speed. A slow computer can be a major problem if the student has a deadline to meet.

The problem that you will face is that laptops that are compact and fast tend to be very expensive. This might be a major problem for you especially if you have already spent quite a bit of money on college tuition and other expenses. It is a well-known fact that it is very expensive to send a child to college even if one gets lots of financial assistance. If the computer is used for word processing and surfing the internet only then you can buy a fairly basic model. If the laptop is meant for a design student then it should ideally have a good graphics card. It should also have a good processor. Similarly, a computer science student will need a computer with a good memory. These computers will obviously cost more than normal in which case you need to search for a reliable retailer who offers excellent discounts.

The best laptops for college students tend to be ones that permit the watching of videos and making calls on the internet. Internet calling is really very important because this is the most cost effective method of keeping in touch with friends and family who are located far from each other. The best possible selection will ensure that the college student doesn't face any problems with the wrong laptop.

Find out how to select the best laptops for college students so that you buy one that has all the features that the student requires. The right selection will ensure that your money is spent wisely.

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Testing Out Of A College Composition Course

When entering into any undergraduate degree, you will more than likely be required to take a class in English Composition, commonly known as ENC 1101, as a part of your academic fundamentals. You may feel that this is beneath your intellectual know-how. So what are your choices in reference to this class?

One is of course that you could "test out" of this required class by taking the CLEP (Credit for Life Experience Program) exam. Okay, but before you choose this instead of taking the class, you should know what is required by the CLEP exam.

The test itself is 90 minutes long and is made up of 90 multiple choice questions. However, there is an alternative form of this test, where you have the option of writing an essay in 40 minutes on top of the multiple choice questions, which will be decreased to 50 questions in 50 minutes. There are some colleges that will only allow one form of CLEP exam for English Composition, so check with your school first.

For the questions, you will have an equal number divided between grammar and sentence structure. The last half consists of short paragraphs that you read and then answer questions related to the paragraphs. Sound easy? Be careful, because English grammar is not easy and can be very confusing. For this reason, many students opt to write a short essay in order to decrease the questions asked in this area.

Now, if you are not so sure of yourself in this subject, you should take the class. It has many benefits that you might not be aware of. Of course, you will be getting a good refresher course on grammar and sentence structure, which will benefit you throughout your degree program, especially if you have chosen to earn your degree online. Most all of your communication with online schools will be through the written word!

Another area of this class which will be helpful in many other classes is improving your skills of reading comprehension. If you are a returning student, you may not be in the habit of reading in a manner that you obtain all of the information. Most of us get use to "skimming" articles or instructions, instead of really "reading" an item.

You will be instructed in the skill of writing an essay where you are able to present your viewpoint in a structured manner that must follow a pre-ordained format. This can be very important for you if you plan to go on and earn your Master's degree, where you will be required to write a dissertation or thesis. The ability to critically analyze a reading assignment and express your viewpoint clearly will also be used throughout your degree program and later in the business world, especially if part of your job is preparing and presenting new ideas.

It could very well be that you have sufficient knowledge of the English language to be able to "test out" of ENC 1101; however, do not underestimate the importance of what you could learn by taking English composition. Why else is this class a part of every undergraduate college degree program?

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Mastering Active Listening At The College Level

Active Listening

Image by Red Lionness via Flickr

As a college student, much of your time in the classroom entails active listening. This can include listening to a lecture from your instructor, an oral presentation from your classmate, a guest speaker, or an informational CD. The bottom line is that listening, just like writing, is a skill that is utilized day in and day out in college. Different situations require different types of listening. There are listening strategies that can help students complete specific listening tasks.

There are different types of listening that students use throughout their academic careers. Listening for comprehension is a goal when listening for information or ideas that other people communicate. Comprehension listening is required when receiving instruction from your teacher on how to read and examine a poem. It is important to remember key information and focus on remembering the main points of a message.

When listening critically, you listen for comprehension and evaluation. Critical listening includes comprehending and judging the arguments and appeals in a given message and deciding whether to accept or reject them. Critical listening can be valuable when listening to persuasive messages such as a sales pitch, campaign speech, or news editorial.

To help in deciding whether or not to be convinced by a persuasive message, ask yourself a few questions that can help with your determination. Is the speaker trustworthy and qualified to speak on the subject? Are the arguments logical and supported by facts? Does the speaker use questionable motivational appeals, such as fear or prejudice? These types of questions help with critical analysis.
Learning vocabulary takes a different approach to listening.

This listening type is focused on learning new words and how to use them. There are many instances when a student can listen to learn vocabulary. Listening to a presentation on classical music might introduce you to words and definitions used in this music style. Or, a conversation with an astute mentor or business professional can be an opportunity to learn new words.

As you learn vocabulary, you might be able to understand the definition of new words based on how they are used in sentences. So, as you listen for new words, you will want to be in tune with sentence comprehension. If you cannot determine the definition immediately, write down the words and then look them up in the dictionary to find out meanings and connotations. Use new words repeatedly to become familiar with and comfortable using them.
The final listening skill is listening for appreciation. This is listening that we are most familiar with. Listening in this form is for pure enjoyment or entertainment. This can entail appreciating the lyrics song by a singer, a joke as told by a favorite comedian, a dramatic story told by a master storyteller, or news information delivered by a satirical speaker.

Learning various listening skills are vital for those earning college degrees. Students who are taking online college classes may have to pay extra close attention to their assignments, since they will be completing them virtually. Learning listening skills can help students focus on what a speaker is trying to communicate, thereby helping him or her understand the information needed to achieve his or her specific goal or task. Listening skills are also essential for the student's overall success in life, especially in one's career.

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Ohio college locked down amid case of 4 missing - Daily American Online

HOWARD, Ohio (AP) — Authorities were searching for an Ohio woman, her two children and a female friend in an investigation that prompted an overnight lockdown on the campus of a college where the woman’s pickup truck was found nearby, a sheriff said Friday.

The 32-year-old mother was reported missing by her boyfriend on Wednesday, and her co-worker at a Dairy Queen went to her home in Howard to check on her when she didn’t show up for work on Thursday, Knox County Sheriff David Barber said told WBNS-TV. Also missing are the woman’s 13-year-old daughter, 10-year-old son, and a 41-year-old woman who is a friend, he said.

“When (the co-worker) went in, she saw some things out of place,” the sheriff told the television station. A subsequent police search of the house determined that it was in an “unusual condition” for a place where a woman and two children were living, Barber said.

It was unclear what led to their disapperance, and Barber did not elaborate.

The friend’s vehicle was found parked at the home.

The mother’s pickup truck was at the home Wednesday when the boyfriend reported her missing, but it was found abandoned Thursday night on property owned by nearby Kenyon College, about 50 miles northeast of Columbus. The college ordered a lockdown of all students until 7 a.m. Friday.

The truck was discovered at the Brown Family Environmental Center, across the road from campus, but was later removed. The sheriff’s office told the school that the vehicle was believed to be connected to a crime scene.

An e-mail sent to Kenyon students, provided to The Associated Press, says “local law enforcement advised of a potentially dangerous person in the vicinity.”

David McCabe, 18, a Kenyon freshman from New York, said the college sent vans to take students to their dorms from the campus library and student center.

“At first people were a little nervous, but I think in general most people felt pretty safe,” McCabe said, speaking of the students in his dorm. The college radio station kept students updated on the situation, McCabe said.

“As it became clear that the lockdown was more a precaution than a threat, people became a little calmer,” he said.

The sheriff’s office, the state’s Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation and the college safety office declined to comment on the situation.

Bill Miller, a bus driver for the East Knox local schools, said he was very familiar with the two missing children and said he picked them up every day as part of his route.

“(They are) perfect kids, never had any trouble with the kids. They were great,” Miller said, stopping to talk in his car Friday morning while driving to his bus. “They’re always out in the yard, playing ball back and forth, kicking stuff around. No problems I ever saw.”

Kenyon is a private liberal arts college in central Ohio with an enrollment of about 1,600.

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