Maximize Space in Your College Dorm Room

Save Space in Your Dorm Room

It’s a tough transition to move from your nice, comfy room at home to the tight quarters of a dorm room at college.

Not only are the rooms small, but freshmen are typically doubled, which means they have another person, a roommate, living with them in the same room. However, colleges are now accepting so many more students that if you don’t send in your acceptance letters by a specific deadline, you’re probably going to be tripled! Yes, that means you now have two roommates squeezed in with you instead of one.

Either way, whether you’ve got one roommate or two, you’re going to need to know the best ways to save space in your cramped college dorm room.

Space Saver #1

Under the bed storage is going to be your best bet when it comes to saving space. Before you even move in, check with the school to see if bed risers are allowed in rooms. If they’re not, ask if the beds can manually be elevated to the height of your preference. Normally, the bed can be raised up and down between two distinct heights.

Now that your bed is at your desired height, you should have oodles of space to put stackable tubs underneath. The clothes that don’t fit into your closet are going to have to be put into the tubs under the bed. Food, blankets, shoes, and laundry baskets will also all have a perfect little storage place under your bed.

Space Saver #2

Storing clothes in the teeny, tiny dorm room closets is always a major ordeal, especially for the students that overpack. Everyone has clothes that have to be hung up, so make sure you invest in space-saving hangers that have multiple rows. This allows you to hang pants, jeans, skirts, and scarves, all on one hanger. The more pieces of clothing that you can get onto one hanger, the better!

For girls with lots of small accessories, you can also buy jewelry organizers that can hang in your closet so that you have extra desk or dresser space.

Space Saver #3

Another good idea to consider is putting your toiletries (and makeup, for girls) in a small, desk-sized 3-drawer organizer. These are the perfect size to fit your deodorant, hair products, perfume/ cologne, makeup, and other necessities in an organized, compact space.

Then you can stack another 3 drawer organizer on top that is filled with pens, pencils, sharpies, note cards, post-its, and other office supplies. These little organizers are a great way to maximize the small amount of desk and counter space you’re going to have in your room.

Space Saver #4

If you’re planning on having a TV in your room, it’s really practical to get a tall, open TV stand. You can put the TV, DVD player, and iHome on top, along with DVDs and CDs. Below, you can place your microwave, refrigerator, toaster, and any other devices you may have brought with you. This is a great way to situate multiple products in one small area. And because these items will constitute most of your electric needs, having them all in one place will ensure that you don’t have extension cords running across your room in every direction.

Space Saver #5

The most important space-saving tip I can offer you is to communicate with your roommate before move in day! If you don’t talk about who is bringing what, then you could both end up bringing the same exact items. And dorm rooms are much too small for two mini fridges.

Read More »

Don’t Let Your Computer Eat Your Homework . . . Again!

“The dog ate my homework” has long been replaced by “my computer failed me” as the #1 excuse used by students who fail to have their coursework done on time. Of course, it’s more than just a lame excuse—it really does happen. Thus, many professors wisely display this disclaimer in or near their offices: “Lack of planning on your part will not constitute an emergency on my part.” Ouch. But we all know that even when technology does fail, there’s something we could have done to protect ourselves from losing all our valuable research, writing, design, or other project work. What can—and should—you do to be prepared?

1. Save, save, save, and save again!

First, make sure to manually save any document or file once you begin working on it. Name it in a way that makes sense to you, and place it in a file folder. (I’d recommend having a file folder for each class, per semester, at the very least. Perhaps you could save a shortcut to the current semester’s folder on your desktop.) Even if you have an auto-save function enabled, make sure to manually save your work regularly, especially after you’ve just input a lot of work into the project.

2. Back up your files!

This is definitely one of those times when you don’t want to be like most people: More than half of us fail to back up files regularly, and a surprising 32% of Americans back up their data only once per year, if that. When you’re investing hours in a huge project that will determine your grade for a semester-long class, you can’t afford to take risks. One way to back up your files is to use a thumb drive, also called a USB flash drive. These devices are available at discount prices, and they can attach conveniently to your keychain, lanyard, backpack, or other item that you tend to keep with you.

In addition, flash drives come in a wide variety of sizes, from 2GB to 64GB. As far as quality goes, one significant designation is speed; you should look for a device that has more than 3 Mb per second, in order to ensure that your drive has a lifespan of cycles long enough to save and delete many files.

3. Back up your files, again!

Saving your files in a second location is a good idea, but regularly backing up your entire computer is best. Because most of us are just plain forgetful, it’s best to sign up for a highly rated online backup service such as Crashplan and Mozy. If you’re Apple obsessed, then upgrade your iCloud backup to one of their larger fee based plans to ensure you have enough backup capacity. You can sign up for automatic backups that securely save your files online weekly, daily, or even more often than that. Some services will allow you to access all backed-up files from any mobile device.

In the world of technology, malfunctions are pretty much as constant as upgrades and new innovations. Plan for it, and you won’t have to grovel, hoping for mercy at the red-pen-wielding hands of your professors.

Read More »

3 Questions To Ask Yourself About Your Study Habits

What is studying, anyway? Maybe you’d never actually ask that question out loud: After all, you’re not a freshman, anymore. But the further you burrow into higher education, the more painfully you may realize the inadequacies of your study skills.

While you don’t necessarily have to be sitting upright at a desk in a quiet room in order to study properly, there are definitely a few key characteristics of good studying.

Is your mind actively engaged?

Staring absently at your class notes or listening to recorded lectures while rehearsing the argument you had with your bestie last week will do you about as much good as sleeping on your text book. Maybe you can study where there’s background noise—or maybe you can’t. Maybe you can focus on class material while hanging out with a friend—or maybe you can’t. There’s really not a right-or-wrong posture or setting for effective studying to take place, but there is probably a situation that works best for you—and many that don’t.

You’re an individual, and you need to get to know your own propensities and limitations. Then, you need to be honest with yourself about your ideal study setting and make it happen.

Are you properly motivated?

The whole self-discipline thing is hard enough, when you’re motivated to achieve. But if you aren’t, the cards are stacked against you. Will an “A” in the class secure your place on the dean’s list? Will it help you qualify for a scholarship, grant, or other financial aid? Maybe that kind of over-arching motivation just isn’t enough. I once heard it said that “an adult is one who parents himself.” Part of parenting includes doling out punishments and rewards. If you don’t study well for the 2-hour block you’ve carved out, will you still let yourself go watch the basketball game tonight? If you really work hard, will you earn a latte after the game?

You need to find something that works for you, again combining self-awareness and self-discipline. If you’re not up to honing those two skills, then you’re lacking more than study skills— you’re miles from maturity.

Can you rehearse the material, blind?

Do you remember your first keyboarding or computer class, where you learned to type? Once you learned where all the keys were and which fingers to use for which keys, you probably had to take “blind typing tests.” The idea was that if you could type without looking at the keys, you had a mastery of your newly found skill. The same is true with any material. If you really know it, you should be able to rehearse it mentally, without prompts. You could make up flash cards or have a friend who’s in the same class (or has taken it before) ask you about general topics, but until you can go over the information in your head, you really haven’t quite studied enough.

Read More »

How to Graduate Ahead of the Game

Graduating college is going to be one of the most exciting times of your life because unlike high school, you made a choice to go to college, and it was your dedication and hard work that earned your degree. Too often, however, panic sets in immediately after graduation because students realize that they don’t have a plan. Many of these students hoped that the future would simply fall into place for them, but, unfortunately, without planning and hard work, this is rarely the case. Don’t fall victim to this sad situation.

Instead, follow these tips while you’re still in school to ensure that graduation is followed by you moving up in the world, not moving back into your parents’ basement.

Use career planning resources.

If your college is like most schools, then it probably offers some great career planning assistance. Often staffed at least in part by recent graduates, your school’s career planning resources can provide some extremely valuable services that are utilized by far too few students. These services are usually free and can help you with everything from practicing your interviewing skills and dressing professionally, to creating the perfect resume (which is arguably your best weapon for securing a job after graduation). Career services departments also often have access to job posting databases that are otherwise available only to users who maintain a paid subscription. It’s never too early to see what you can do to start planning for your future, so visit your career services center today to ask how they can help you prepare for the working world.

Get an internship.

Many college students apply for internships only because they are a necessary component of their department’s graduation requirements, but internships are an often overlooked resource. Many companies offer full time positions to their interns, provided the intern has performed adequately, so even if your major doesn’t require you to get an internship, consider doing so anyway. Even if you have already completed your internship and were not offered a job, you should still inquire after vacant positions, regardless of how long ago your internship ended. Employers often give priority to former interns because the individual is already familiarized with the workings of the company.

Finally, although some internships are, in fact, unpaid, you should not turn them down for this reason alone. Consider these unpaid internships an investment in your future. Not only will it reward you in the form of necessary job experience, but the boost it provides to your resume could also result in a huge increase in the salary you receive after graduation.

Attend job fairs.

If you think this tip seems like common sense, you’re right, but the sad fact is, very few students take the time to attend job fairs. They may intend to, but then more immediate concerns like homework or socialization take precedence, and job fairs are left forgotten. This is incredibly unfortunate, because attending job fairs is an extremely effective way to help secure a position for after graduation. It’s a very basic arrangement: Employers in need of new hires set up a stand at a job fair, and interested parties (usually college students) attend the fair to make connections with these employers and discuss the requirements of the job.

These employers would not be present at the fair if they weren’t in need of new employees, but many of these vacant positions are advertised exclusively at job fairs, meaning these opportunities are limited only to the fair’s attendees. Furthermore, these job fairs are rarely cheap, but, as a college student, the cost of your attendance is covered by your school. If you wait until after graduation to attend job fairs, you probably won’t have the luxury of attending for free.

Using career planning services, applying for internships, and attending job fairs are all great ways to ensure that your future is well planned for. It may not seem necessary to begin planning today, but the earlier you start, the less post-graduation anxiety you’ll experience. By taking advantage of these resources, you’ll be well ahead of the game by the time you graduate.

Read More »

What Can I Do With A Degree In Health Care Management?

What is health care management, and what does a degree in this subject offer you? The health care field is expanding very rapidly, and the demand for workers in this industry is high. The aging US population and technological advances have made health care one of the biggest opportunities, one that is not affected by recessions or other economic factors. With a degree in health care management, you can work at a variety of occupations.

Hospitals, health care providers, labs, insurance companies, and others in health care fields require administrators, managers, and other professionals. Someone needs to administer the insurance plans and determine which care is approved. As a health care manager, you can help manage patient care to ensure that the proper treatment is provided in a compassionate manner.

Hospitals require administrators to ensure that tests and medical care are scheduled and given in an appropriate manner and timely fashion. Health care facilities require trained and skilled professionals for effective management and efficient planning, to keep costs down while providing excellent quality and customer service to patients and clients.

A degree in health care management can open many doors and give you a large number of opportunities. This degree can allow you to take a position as a manager in the office of a health care provider or insurance company, or in a hospital or home health setting. Executive positions and supervisory jobs at companies that have any relation with the health care industry usually require some type of college degree, and with one in health care management you are already in a position to succeed.

The health care field is growing larger every day, and it is impossible to keep up with the demand. This has led to a large increase in the classes and courses offered to prepare students for this industry. Between the public and private health care sectors the number of unfilled jobs in the management of health care is amazing. These are positions that can pay very well, and a lack of qualified individuals has caused some shortages in these fields.

With a degree in health care management, you will be qualified to work in almost any medical management or supervisory position. You will have an understanding of the billing and medical coding practices, as well as providing timely care in a compassionate manner. You may choose to work coordinating medical benefits or care and treatment, or you may choose to supervise auditors and others involved on the business end of the medical field. You will be prepared to start a career on the business end of providing health care and doing this as effectively as possible.

Patients want excellent care, insurance companies want low costs, and medical providers want to receive payment. In the meantime, there are many different forms to fill out and paperwork requirements to meet. With a career in health care management, you can make all of this possible, and can choose from a large range of occupation choices at the same time.

No matter what happens to the American and global economy health care will always be needed, and so will health care management professionals. This college degree can give you career security.

Read More »

Things You Want To Do On Campus But Probably Shouldn’t

Drum roll … Here’s another one of our wacky and zany top ten lists. How about “10 Crazy Things You Could Do on a College Campus But Probably Shouldn’t Try” or, to put it on a more academic note, how about “10 Alternative Purposes for a College Campus.”

You’ve always associated with college with long lectures, boring teachers, and textbooks filled with minuscule print. The towering brick building is filled with classrooms where you’ve spent hours on end trying to focus on the current class and not all the projects you have to work on for your other classes. Of course, if you’re like the average students, your mind starts wandering freely about halfway through class. You think about playing paintball in the hallways of a classroom building at night, sliding down the curving banisters in the library, and diving into the fountain pool. Keep your thinking gears turning! Because we’ve got the top ten wacky and crazy ideas coming. Here are some crazy ways to put that college campus to work for you:

1. Bungee Jumping
Hook bungee cords to all of the tallest buildings on campus and get ready to jump off and hang on. If you’re in an extremely daring mood, try swinging from one cord to another and making your way around campus. (Disclaimer: My lawyer wanted me to add three pages of fine print to the end of this blog post. Basically, if you’re crazy enough to try any of these ideas – or any other ideas I blog about – you’re crazy enough to know you’re the only one responsible. So no pointing the thumb at me!)

2. Drag Racing
Cone off the main roads and get together all the people with the fastest sports cars. Line up and see how fast everyone can go. You know you’ve always wanted to burn out on the pavement without the campus police catching up to you.

3. Massive Paintball War
Turn several buildings on campus into areas to hide and run around with paintball guns. Duck behind the president’s desk, participate in a shootout in a science lab as you watch test tubes shatter everywhere, or run around the main auditorium gunning down the other team.

4. Food Fight
Ask the dining hall staff to save food they would normally throw away. Bag up tomatoes, jello, soup, and any other food that makes for messy projectiles. Line up two teams inside the dining hall and set up tables and chairs as barricades. Then, fire away!! Just don’t wear your favorite shirt like I did.

5. Fountain Diving
Make a big splash all over campus! Pull on your swim trunks and goggles and get ready to dive into every single fountain on campus! Maybe even make a relay race out of the event. You might want to pick a warm day for this activity. Believe me, it’s no fun at 17 degrees!

6. Building Climbing
Get together a bunch of climbing gear—rappelling hooks, ropes, harnesses, and of course Clif bars to replenish your carb needs. Scale your way up the tallest buildings around campus. And, if you’re up for the risk and the fun, try climbing up a few brick walls without any tools. You may have to sign a liability form before attempting said crazy act, however.

7. Zoo
Rent a few wild animals from the local zoo for a day. Let them roam free around campus for a true safari experience. This could even make a very valuable social experiment for a psychology class. Who wouldn’t enjoy driving in for class and seeing a lion in the road roaring and shaking its mane? Or a monkey jumping on top of the car and pounding on the window?

8. Movie Theater
Plan to project the latest movies on big screens in all of your college’s largest auditoriums. Let people take a break from classes for a day to watch their favorite movies. Lord of the Rings marathon, anyone?

9. Reality Show
Instead of just watching a show, your college campus could actually be a show. Surely a few teachers are quirky enough to provide entertainment on a reality show. Cameras could follow you around from class to class and back to your dorm at night. Now if only you could get some kind of grade bonus for submitting to a project like this.

10. Plain Old, Boring School
Sigh…that’s why you’re in college. To get an education, to graduate, and to hopefully find a job. So focus back on that lecture, and stop daydreaming, at least until class finishes.

Dudes, thanks again for taking part in yet another College Top Ten List! And, as always, keep those comments coming. If you’ve got a brainier or crazier idea than the ones we’re scraping our brain cells to come up with, please jot it down and leave it for us in electronic bloggin’ comment form. We love the feedback and we live for it! 

Read More »

Trent University Scholarships for Undergraduates in Canada, 2017

Applications are invited for Trent University Scholarships which are open to international students. These scholarships are available for pursuing undergraduate studies commencing in September 2017.

Trent University offers scholarship program designed to foster and reward academic excellence among its students.

Trent University is a public liberal arts and science-oriented university located along the Otonabee River in Peterborough, Ontario, with a satellite campus in Oshawa, which serves the Regional Municipality of Durham.

English is the primary language of instruction at Trent University. All prospective students are required to demonstrate a minimum level of English before they’re admitted.

Course Level: Scholarships are available for pursuing undergraduate degree programme.

Study Subject(s): Scholarships are awarded in all the subjects offered by the university.

Scholarship Award:

• Trent International Global Citizen Scholarships and Awards: Scholarships and Awards partially fund tuition and ancillary fees at Trent in amounts between $2,000 and $22,000 per year.
• Trent International Program Tuition Levy Scholarship: The Scholarship covers international tuition and ancillary fees of approximately $22,000 per year.
• Trent-United World Collges (UWC) Scholarships: The value of the scholarship is determined upon assessment of financial need and may extend to cover international tuition and ancillary fees of approximately $22,000 per year.
• Jack Matthews International Scholarship: The value of the scholarship is determined upon assessment of financial need and may extend to cover international tuition and ancillary fees of approximately $22,000 per year.
• Justin Chiu International Scholarships: Scholarships partially fund the costs of a Trent education in amounts between $3,000 and $15,000 per year.
• Scotiabank International Student Awards: The value is up to $5,000 per year.
• Trent University Entrance Scholarships: These range in value from $1,000 to $3,000.
• IB Entrance Scholarships: The value is $1,000 per year.

How to Apply: Applicants should mail or e-mail scholarship documents to the Trent International office. Scholarship application and supporting documents

A completed “Application for Trent International Scholarships and Awards” form.

An essay in which you outline your academic aspirations and future career goals and how Trent University can help you in achieving these goals (maximum 1 page, 300-500 words).

A record of your most recent (last 2 years) extra-curricular activities, community service, and leadership, and an essay indicating how your service or leadership has been a meaningful part of your education. The committee is most interested in specific examples of your accomplishments (maximum 2 pages for both parts).

An essay discussing a local, national or international issue and its personal importance to you (maximum 1 page; 300-500 words).

Three letters of reference, including at least two from teachers/former teachers. There is no special reference form, however, the letter must address the following points: the applicant’s academic work and intellectual qualities, involvement in extra-curricular activities and community events, leadership skills and character.

Documentation of Income: Official statement of annual salary from parent(s) employer(s) on company letterhead or most recent statement of income tax returns from parent(s).

Application Form

Application Deadline: The application deadline is February 15, 2017.

Visit the Official Scholarship Website for more details.

Read More »

Scholarships for Developing Countries at University of Reading in UK, 2017

The University of Reading is inviting applications for students of India and other developing countries. These scholarships are available for pursuing full-time MPhil/PhD programme or Taught Masters programme in September 2017.

The Felix Trustees have indicated that one scholarship available to students from ‘developing countries’ is aimed primarily at candidates from Africa and excludes “all Western countries, including most of the European Community, and China / Taiwan”.

[post_ads]

The University of Reading is a public university located in Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom. It was established in 1892 as University College, Reading and received its Royal Charter in 1926 from King George V. It was the only university to receive its charter between the two world wars and is, therefore, a red brick university.

Applicants whose first language is not English are usually required to provide evidence of proficiency in English at the higher level required by the University.

Course Level: Scholarships are available for pursuing full-time MPhil/PhD programme or Taught Masters programme.

Study Subject: Scholarships are awarded to study the subjects offered by the university.

Scholarship Award: These scholarships cover tuition fees at the international rate and provide a stipend (maintenance grant) to cover living expenses (the current level of which is £13,730). They also provide generous allowances for clothes, books and a return flight home. The awards are available (depending on eligibility) for up to 3 years.

Scholarship can be taken in the UK

Eligibility:

Students must demonstrate financial need

Students must possess at least a first-class honours degree from a University or comparable institution

Students must not hold a degree from a University outside your home country

Students must not have studies outside your home country for one year or more

Candidates are expected by the Trust to return to work in their home country following their study

Students must have been accepted for admission to the University by 30 January 2017 to be considered for shortlisting. They should therefore apply for admission at the earliest opportunity. Candidates who have an academic condition on their offer of admission (such as completion of a qualification they are currently working towards) will need to successfully meet that condition by the short-listing stage (w/c 27 March 2017) in order to be considered for this year’s competition; they should otherwise consider applying to the competition next year.

Nationality: Citizens of India and other developing countries can apply for these scholarships.

 College Admission Requirement

Entrance Requirement: Applicants are normally required to have a good undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent from a University outside the UK). If they have other qualifications and at least two years of relevant work experience then you may also be eligible to apply. Some programmes have additional entry requirements which are indicated on their respective page within the web course catalogue. Students may join immediately after their undergraduate degree, or after some years of employment to enhance career prospects by acquiring further skills.

English Language Requirement:

International English Language Test Score: 6.5 – 7.5

Test of English as a Foreign Language (internet-based version): 88 – 100

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English/ Certificate of Advanced English: A – C/ 193-200

Test of English for Educational Purposes: 6.5 – 7.5

Pearson English Test   Pearson: 53-67

Postgraduate Scholarships

How to Apply: Candidates must

Complete an online application for admission to a Postgraduate Degree at the University of Reading and hold an offer of admission by the deadline (30 January 2017).

Complete the electronic form at the bottom of this web page in order to express your interest in being considered for the Felix Scholarships. This will ask you to confirm that you have read (and comply with) the Felix Scholarship criteria listed above.

Eligible candidates will then be considered for nomination by their academic School / Department at Stage One. If you are successful in being nominated, you will receive a request on Wednesday 8 March 2017 asking you to complete a full Felix application form. This must be returned by Wednesday 15 March 2017.

Nominees will then be considered for shortlisting by the University level panel at the beginning of April. If you are shortlisted by the University, you will be notified. Candidates for the Indian awards will be asked by representatives of the Felix Trust to attend an interview in India during April/May 2017.

Online Application

Application Deadline: The application deadline is January 30, 2017.

Visit the Official Scholarship Website for more details.

Read More »

Must Read Advice For Getting Scholarships For Graduate Study Easily

Paying for graduate school is one of the most common worries among prospective students. The cost of tuition and books can be very high given that graduate courses are far more expensive than undergraduate courses. There is also less federal aid in grants and subsidized loans available for graduate students.

To top things off, prospective graduate students are often already carrying the burden of debt from their undergraduate degree.

There are many different avenues and ways in which prospective students can obtain the financial assistance that they need. There are many organizations, universities, and companies that offer scholarships for graduate studies. Because these scholarships are scarcer, there is greater competition to obtain them.
[post_ads]
Undergraduate students that are thinking of attending graduate school should begin planning ahead to ensure that they receive the financial assistance that they need.

Here are a few things that undergraduate students can start doing:

1) Get involved with student organizations or clubs. Many of these large organizations have scholarships available for graduate students in that particular area of study. If you are already involved, you are more likely to qualify for a scholarship.

2) If your area of study relies heavily on research, start volunteering or participating in research projects going on in your school. There are many scholarships available for graduate students that participate in a research fellowship during their studies. The experience in research can place you ahead of the competition for these highly coveted fellowships.

3) Look for a program or area of study in areas with a high need. There are many scholarships available for aspiring teachers, nurses, and doctors because there is always a need for professionals in these areas. There are also certain fields that will pardon your student loans if commit to several years of employment in that area and meet certain requirements.

4) Volunteer for Americorps or Peacecorps. These two organizations offer volunteers stipends and scholarships in exchange for community service. Your volunteer position would be similar to a part or full-time job position and can be in your area of study.

5) Choose the right university. Most universities offer scholarships for graduate students, but, there are some colleges that have a higher amount of aid available to their students. When looking for a university, take this into account so you can increase your chances of obtaining a scholarship. It is also important to compare and contrast the total cost of attending a certain school to see if it is convenient for you.

Read More »

Best Place to Find a Scholarship

Scholarships are everywhere. Its as simple as typing into google: "how to find a scholarship." Obviously, the internet is a great place to start. Also going from school to school and talking to them is a fantastic way to check out a campus and see what they have to offer in terms of scholarships. Also, many businesses in your local area offer scholarships.

Below are some great places to begin your search Information Superhighway 

Google it. Search it. Find it. The best way to find scholarships online is by searching. Also try going to universities or colleges websites. They sometimes have great source material and pages dedicated to scholarships that suit your needs! Its amazing how many scholarships and grants are out there, waiting to be taken! Door-to-Door, Campus-to-Campus
[post_ads]
Check out some of the colleges and universities in your area in person. It's as simple as finding the admissions office, and asking them. Its a great way to check out the campus, get to know the staff, and get a head start on understanding the admissions process. Search Your Area

Many local businesses, churches, and organizations offer annual scholarships. Whether it be an essay competition, or just a scholarship offered to women in need, they are out there. They are all more than willing to help you achieve your goals and further your education. Also check out government offices. They are constantly offering scholarships.

 Applying for a loan can be very scary and intimidating. If you are short on money, or maybe don't have the best credit in the world, there are other alternatives.

Scholarships are out there! You are one click away from registering at Scholarshipsatm. Enter now for your chance to win a scholarship! 

Life can definitely be tough! It happens to all of us. So go ahead and get started! Click here to have a chance of continuing your education and winning a scholarship!

Read More »

Recovering From Student Loan Default

If you have defaulted student loans know that you are not alone. Thousands of Americans a year struggle to repay their defaulted loans, and there are many options for you to choose from. By choosing an option which best suits your needs; you will quickly be on the road to pay it off.

Loan rehabilitation is an option to consider when dealing with the hardship of these type of loans. To enroll in a rehabilitation program you must first get in contact with your guarantor. After enrolling it is important that you make at least nine on time monthly payments to your lender. After signing and returning your rehabilitation agreement, you will get an official notification saying that your loan is being rehabilitated.
[post_ads]
Your loan is then transferred to a new lender and servicer to be rehabilitated; it would now be considered out of default status. Monthly payments are made to your new provider, and you will be charged up to eighteen and a half percent interests on the loan.

The loan consolidation is as well, another option to pay off defaulted student loans. Before you are accepted into a loan consolidation program it is important that you have a satisfactory repayment arrangement. This is when you make three consecutive payments with your current lender.

The Direct Loan program is the current number one consolidation program run by the US Department of Education. A major difference between consolidating and rehabilitating your loan is that with consolidation, the default status is not taken out of your credit report, where as with rehabilitation, the default status is removed.

The fastest way to get out of your defaulted student loans is to pay off the debt and any interest you owe in full. This may not work for everyone, however, paying off as much as possible of your loan, can reduce the amount you have to pay with a program after they apply interest rates. In special circumstances your defaulted student loan may be reduced or discharged, but you must meet certain eligibility requirements.

There is no quick fix for paying off your student debts, but loan forgiveness programs can greatly help you get rid of those loans. With the use of the loan forgiveness programs you will find yourself on the road to paying off your student loans at your own pace, thus relieving you from the burden of having large payments every month.

A major difference between consolidating your loan and rehabilitating it, is that with consolidation, the default status is not taken off of your credit report, where as with rehabilitation the default status is removed. With the use of student loan forgiveness programs you will find yourself on the road to paying off your loans at your own pace.

Read More »

5 Scholarship Facts You Need To Know

Many finance experts think that the next great finance bubble is within the secondary education segment. Fees to attend college, both at public and private schools, are increasing at a rate well above inflation. With this bubble exhibiting no indications of popping, parents should be expecting the cost of their children’s education to continue to go up for the foreseeable future.

Therefore, to be able to obtain scholarships has never been more significant. Finding scholarships is often important to a student’s future financial stability for the reason that scholarships not only economize now, they also lessen the amount of money obtained by conventional student loans which saddle students with debt well into their adult lives.
[post_ads]
Some parents and students may not think that scholarships are too difficult to obtain or they have achieved enough to earn a scholarship. The fact is that, oftentimes this probably is not the case.

Here are five ways to obtain scholarships that you just may not be mindful of:

1) Every year, a huge number of scholarships go unclaimed given that nobody applies due to the fact their existence is not advertised. You can find examples at virtually any universities. Students need to visit their financial aid office and pester the worker to determine what can be obtained.

2) Working more for the prior case, there are several scholarships available for small amounts ($250 and less). Many students think that only scholarships in the thousands are worth pursuing. But who won’t take $100 of free cash if it were offered? Not only does each little bit help, but the scholarships can also be stacked and mixed to cover a larger percentage of tuition all together.

3) Social networking is a great tool for locating national scholarships. Users would be surprised as to the number of options that are available via a simple Twitter or Facebook search for the word “scholarship.” Several of these scholarships aren’t posted elsewhere.

4) You can find unusual scholarship options available. Most people are not aware groups like Tall Clubs International provide very specific scholarships (in this instance, for tall people). Everybody is weird and different in some manner. Students ought to target those more distinctive areas of their lives to see if any associations or organizations that value people with those aspects or interests will offer scholarships. Chances are that they do.

5) Businesses supply numerous smaller value scholarships. Stop by almost any large corporation’s website and you will find links to their scholarship programs. Just one single example is the General Motors “Student Center”. Several could be coupled with other scholarships and students will find a substantial amount of their school satisfied via a number of different sources.

What is important to understand is that you must ask for them! The only way to ensure that you will pay for your own school is to never apply for a scholarship. 

Read More »

Best Ways To Make Easy Money, Doing Basically Nothing As A Student

In this post I will be showing you some easy and best ways to get cash as a student doing extremely very little work.

Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a website that enables you to earn points (also popularly known as Swag Bucks) by just by making your web searches via their web site (which is powered by the two giant search engines Google and Bing). Your accumulated Swag bucks points are often changed for all kinds of rewards like gift cards or simply getting straight money into your Paypal account. you'll be able to additionally earn points by going through and completing simple surveys, watching videos and polls and also shopping.

[post_ads]Get Cashback

To get cashback on your online purchases, use cashback websites like QuidCo which enables you to get money back once you purchase goods on-line, from insurance to food. instead of buying direct from an internet site, purchase through QuidCo and you’ll get paid for each purchase!

Surveys

One of the best and classic way to get extra cash online: sign on to websites like MySurvey to make and get really cool extra cash in your spare time by completing fast and easy questionnaires. No serious work or long shifts here.

Sell your HAIR

Yes, you can make money by selling your hair. Simply let your hair grow up well, you'll be able to make money by selling it, to be used in wigs and different product. Bloomsbury Wigs’ guide prices vary from £15-£60 for 10-12 inches up to £200 for over nineteen inches.

I will write about how to make cash by selling your HAIR in my next post, so remember to subscribe to get our updates.

Qmee

Qmee can pay you simply to search online, simple as that! Sponsored ads accompany the search results and you'll be able to build up cash rewards which may either be paid directly to a Paypal account or given to a charity of your choice.

Sell copies of your previous revision notes

NoteSale allows you to make money from your previous lecture and revision notes. you can upload your own notes and set a value, starting from pence to pounds, and would keep 75th of all money made. the site covers everything from GCSE to degree level, therefore you may wish to get hold of your old school work to turn into money!

Read More »

7 Best Work Ideas for student to make extra cash this summer

The long summer break is here… it’s maybe time to consider finding a good paying job to help sort out all the bills of all those late nights out.

And with news that students may leave university with over £50,000 value of debt, a summer job is really as a matter of urgency becoming more of a necessity.

So, what choices are out there?

Café or bar work

The food and hospitality business is right for the summer student. It peaks in summer once children are off school and on long vacation, thus businesses are mostly trying to recruit additional employees. another advantage is that, if you perform really well, you'll be offered an ongoing role even during the normal school term-time.

[post_ads]Events

Not a reliable kind of income however may be nice for an instant money boost. you'll be able to easily get an event work from being a steward at a marathon to serving drinks at a influential person parties. Get more information about events a lot of here

Charity fundraising

Yes, you could also  get paid to raise quality funds  for charity, the concept being that you’ll bring in more cash than your wages. If you think that you’ve got what it takes, visit  Wesser for job opportunities.

Office work

Whilst several office-based businesses look to recruit long full time staff, there are openings for absorbing summer employees during busy periods, most especially when most permanent  staff are going to be on annual leave. If you're learning a vocational course like law, getting on job experience of working within the industry can assist your possibilities of finding employment on graduation.

Retail employee

A summer job in retail offers you the possibility to develop your people-skills, which can enhance your CV. There are management coaching schemes out there within this sector thus a summer job may provide you with desirable expertise to put on a future application form.

Childcare

If you’ve had good and past experience as a baby-sitter or you’re doing a teaching course, then a summer job in childcare industry may well be for you. this might include not simply childminding, however working on a summer camp or vacation scheme. There’s even the possibility to work abroad! If you love taking care of children, such work may be both fun and also rewarding .

Leafleting

While this could appear boring, repetitive work, it will have distinct advantages: it gets you fit and it usually has flexible working hours thus it will will really fit well around your studies. simply fire up your ipod and effectively get paid for going for a walk!

Source: studentprofit.co.uk

Read More »

Scholarships For Students From Developing Countries To Study In Belgium

The King Baudouin Foundation is offering grants for developing countries students. These grants will be awarded to students who are studying for a master’s level degree (master’s, specialisation master’s or a second bachelor’s degree) that is linked to water management.

The Elisabeth & Amelie Fund aims to instigate a new form of support for sustainable water management in developing countries by financing on-the-spot internships for students from developing countries who are studying in Belgium.

The King Baudouin Foundation is an independent, pluralistic foundation working in Belgium and at the European and international level. It seeks to change society for the better and invests in inspiring projects and individuals.
[post_ads]
Requirements

Students from developing countries who are studying for a master’s level degree (master’s, specialisation master’s or a second bachelor’s degree) that is linked to water management.
The candidate should have a very good command over the English language.


Scholarship Worth

• The grant will cover the expenses inherent to the internship, up to a maximum of €5.000.
• The internship, which should last 1 to 2 months, must take place between December 2016 and the end of August 2017.
• Ten grants shall be awarded.

Selection criteria

• Objective. The internship is linked to the access to water or its management in developing countries and must be clearly part of the subject of the candidate’s end of year project.
• Pertinence. The work undertaken by the candidate at local level and the results that emanate from this deal with important local issues.
• Capabilities. The budget requested must match the candidate’s needs. He/She must have sufficient resources to complete the internship under the required conditions.
• Innovation. The approach that the candidate chooses for his/her internship or the framework within which he/she intends to work is different from the usual approaches or frameworks.
• Impact. The expected results should bring sustainable change for the people concerned at local level.

Apply Now for the King Baudouin Foundation Scholarships for study in Belgium

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the King Baudouin Foundation Scholarships

Read More »

Ways to Get a Student Visa to Study in Belgium

Depending on your country of residence and also the length of your course, you would most definitely need a student visa to study in Belgium. This post is aimed at giving you guidelines to find out if you would need a student visa, it also covers how to apply for the visa, and the important documents that would be required from you.

Do You Need a Visa to Study in Belgium?

All Students residence in or from a European Union Member State or from a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) are not in any way required to obtain a student visa for them to study in Belgium. But are required to have and carry their national identity card, which they would have to show to the customs officer on their arrival to Belgium. If you happens to be a student from the EU member states, you would still have to fulfill some certain and important criteria to study in Belgium, which include:

• Getting yourself Enrolled at an approved university/educational institution in Belgium,
• Sufficient funding source that would enable you to live in Belgium without having to need income support,
• Comprehensive health bill cover.

[post_ads]If you are residence in a country outside the EU, you would need a student visa to be able to gain entry into Belgium. However students from some countries (e.g the United states) would have no need of a visa for Belgium if their stay is within or less than maximum of 90 days.

Students resident in the People’s Republic of China would be required to obtain an academic evaluation certificate hich is issued by the Academic Assessment Centre (APS) before they can be authorized to enroll in any higher education institution in Belgium. This APS certificate would be required to be able to obtain a student visa for Belgium. The APS evaluation examination consists of a technical review of your diploma and an interview. In some certain cases, you may be exempted from going through this interview.

How to Apply for a Student visa to Study in Belgium

Before you even start applying for a student visa for Belgium, you must have been accepted onto a course at an accredited educational institution, and also paid the registration fees (this payment would be refunded if your visa application wasn't accepted). If you are reading this as an international student, you would need to contact the nearest Belgian embassy to you or consulate in your country. The embassy will then be able to help you determine if you need a student visa or not, and will also guide you through applying for the visa.

All information you would need concerning Belgian visa applications are highlighted on the website of the Foreigners Department of the Federal Public Service (FPS) for Home Affairs, which is available to read in 3 languages, French, Dutch and English. As an international student, you would be required to apply for a national long-stay visa (D visa), this D visa allows you to stay longer than 90 days in Belgium.

The steps to obtain a visa for Belgium varies and this depends on the Belgian consulate or embassy you have available to you. You would have to fill in a visa application form and submit same with an application fee along with all the other required documents (see below). Student applicants from some countries may be required to make an appointment with their consulate in order to make their visa application. It is also in some case possible that some embassy may work with an external service provider who helps carry out most of the administration tasks – an additional service fee may  be charged in this case.

What are the visa requirements for Belgium?

To be considered for student visa for Belgium, you will need to provide the following documents:

• A correctly filled, completed and signed visa application form (its best to hold more than one)
• A traveling passport or similar travel document which is still valid for more than 12 months. In some countries the passport is required to be no more than 10 years old, and have two empty successive pages facing each other.
• Proof that you have sufficient financial funds or support that would last for the duration of your stay. This funds must cover your accommodation costs, healthcare, living expenses, and study as well as the cost of your return ticket. This proof can also be in the form of a certificate stating you have received a scholarship or grant, a written and signed agreement of financial responsibility from your sponsor and also their bank statement, or your personal bank statement showing you have sufficient funds to sustain you during your stay in Belgium.
• A medical certificate would also be required stating you don’t have any diseases that may endanger public health (infections such as Tuberculosis, and also diseases or infections that would require quarantine)
• A police certificate showing you have a good conduct and also confirming that you don’t have any prior criminal convictions (if you are aged above 21). If you are residence in the US, you might probably need an FBI background check, which could sometimes take up to five months to get.

Also needed for your student visa requirements for Belgium is proof of your student status and your study plans. For this, you may need:

• Proof of successful registration at a recognized higher education institution in Belgium (which should cover a full-time course of study, indicating that the candidate’s main aim in Belgium is just to study)
• Application for an equivalence diploma certificate conferred abroad (this is required for French Community education)
• Original and certified copy of your previous diploma, certificate obtained from your secondary level education, and also a certified copy of your academic record from your last year of secondary level education
• Copy of any and all previously obtained diplomas and certificates since the end of your secondary level education
• An employer’s statement stating the need for you to pursue higher education as part self improvement towards your work (this applies majorly to postgraduate students)
• Documentation giving a short description of the courses you intend to take at your institution of choice, with a brief explanation comparing those courses to the ones organized in your country of residence

All supporting documents in a language different from English, French, German or Dutch have to be translated by a sworn translator, legalized as a separate document in your country of residence, and legalized again by the Belgian consulate or embassy in your country of residence. Your consulate or embassy could request for some other documents not mentioned in this article, depending on your country of residence.

You would also be required to provide a supporting letter explaining reasons behind your choice of course, why you intend to study in Belgium, and reasons why your choices will benefit you. You must also demonstrate that you have a good knowledge of the language you intend to study, by providing good proof of passing an internationally recognized language proficiency exam or a certificate issued at the end of education in your chosen language.

You can track the progress of your visa application using your reference number and also the location of your chosen consulate or embassy. The Belgian consulate considers visa applications on a case-by-case basis and has the final decision to accept or reject your visa application. You could appeal against this decision if your application got rejected.

If the embassy you submitted your visa application is unable to process your application for some reason, they could suggest you apply for a tourist visa, which is very much easy for them to issue. If this is your case, ensure they give you a written statement stating that they advised you to apply for a tourist visa instead of a student visa, this statement or supporting documents will allow you to be able to exchange your tourist visa for a student visa once you reach Belgium, and also allow you to register at your chosen higher education institution.

When you arrive in Belgium

All students (including those from the EU states) must take a quick visit to the local municipal administration within the first eight days of your arrival in Belgium. You will then be given a residence permit which would allow you to stay in Belgium and also enables you entrance to the Schengen States without a visa for a period not exceeding 3 months. You can always apply to renew your residence permit yearly, and this must be done early approximately 30 to 45 days before its expiry date.

Read More »