Five tips for tackling accounting classes

Here are five tips for taking on your accounting courses, whether they’re the lower-division intros or the dreaded tax class.

1. Skim, don’t inspect.

Accounting textbooks, for the most part, are not meant to be analyzed in every detail. Read the “meat” of the chapter several times through, taking note mostly of key words, phrases, and concepts–oh, and financial statements. You’re going to be seeing those a lot in your “real” job, so get used to ‘em!

2. Three words: repetition, repetition, repetition.

If you can understand every accounting concept the first time you read about it, you might as well quit school and recreate the Big 5 with your own accounting firm. Chances are, you are not going to understand everything the first time through. Reading things over a few times will make everything so much clearer. Learn things to the point where you know them like the back of your hand and you’ll be ready for anything.

3. Stop procrastinating now–no, not later.

This may be a fairly straightforward one, but never underestimate the danger that is the “P” word. Instead of cramming your study sessions into caffeine-laced all-nighters and hair-pulling, 3-hour, pre-test run-throughs, try dividing your work up and doing a little each day. For example, say you have a week before a test. Divide up your individual topics/chapters/etc. equally by day, then do a general run-through the day before. The earlier you plan ahead, the less work you’ll have to do each day.

4. “Don’t fall behind”–really though, DON’T!

We hear our teachers say it every semester at the beginning of class, but when they say it, I’m telling you: they mean business. With accounting, the acquisition of knowledge is sequential. In other words, it’ll be difficult, if not impossible, to learn about concept “B” if you don’t have understanding of concept “A” before it. Be especially mindful of this in accounting and make certain that you understand what you’ve just learned before moving onto the next topic or chapter. The further you fall behind, the harder it’ll be for you.

5. One is the loneliest number.

This should be the easiest part: find a study buddy! Although study groups can get a little chaotic, having one solid study partner can help you in more ways than you realize. Whether you need one-on-one help with a certain concept or need notes when you miss a day from illness, a study partner can be your right-hand person for accounting. Just make sure you return the favor!

ascpastudents.wordpress.com

5 Motivational Tips to Get You Through the Day

Your motivation is what pushed you to succeed and determines to a large degree if you are going to succeed or fail. But even the most motivated person needs a little extra help sometimes. When the going gets tough these 5 tips can help you turn the day around and get you back on track:

Focus on Your Goals

Your motivation stands in direct relationship to how clear your goals are, they are the source of your motivation. When you feel down, focus on them, visualize them and think about how great it will be once you have completed them.

Reward Yourself for Finishing Tasks

This is a great technique. Whenever you finish a task or complete a goal, give yourself a reward. It can be a cup of coffee, a 10 minute break, a weekend away…. Anything that gets you motivated. By doing this you train yourself to want to complete the goals and tasks as quickly and efficiently as possible, you will work hard to complete your goals, get the reward and move on the next. Always remember though, make sure you do the job well, you don’t want to have to go back and redo the task you already thought was finished.

Take a Short Walk 

Sometimes you need a break, to clear your mind and get yourself back on track. Taking a walk is a great way to sort your thoughts and refocus.

Remember That When You Are Done, You Are Done

By this I mean that once you have done everything you need to do during the day, you are finished and can go home. That gives me a burst of motivation every time the day starts to feel long, it is up to me to make it go quickly so I can relax.

Call a Loved One for Inspiration

Sometimes we cannot do it alone. Make sure to find a friend or loved one who can help you when you need motivation, who you can call and who you know will tell you that you can do it and that they know you are great. That help really makes a big difference. If you are having a tough time, don’t let that get you down. Refocus and let yourself be all that you can be!

Action Exercises

- Set your goals:
If you haven’t already, spend some time writing down your most important long term and short term goals;

- Determine a good reward that motivates you to complete tasks and goals;

- Talk to someone you trust and ask them to be a source of motivation for you when you need it.

www.pickthebrain.com

Advice for a successful medical assistant externship

Most medical assisting programs require students to complete externships, which can provide valuable job experience prior to beginning their careers. Externships are the portion of your medical assisting education that you spend working in a medical office while you are still in school. While your experience will vary depending upon the office in which you are placed, it’s up to you to get the most out of your externship experience and make it a success.

Look for opportunities to use your skills
You’ve spent your time in school learning the technical skills necessary to be a medical assistant, and now is your chance to put them into practice. Nothing beats real-world experience, so actively seek out opportunities to put your skills to the test. Whenever you get a chance, observe health care professionals performing procedures and make note of the techniques they use so you can use their expertise to perfect your own skills.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help
While externships do provide the opportunity to use your technical skills, they are also still a valuable part of the learning process, so don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice. If you are ever unsure of how to complete a task that has been asked of you or find it to be too challenging, ask the medical professionals you are working with to guide you and provide some tips for success. If you never ask questions when you don’t understand something, it’s unlikely that you will receive much benefit from the completion of an externship.

Discuss expectations
Before you even begin your externship, discussing expectations with your supervisor, mentor or sponsor will set you up for success. While it’s important that you take the initiative every day to get the most you can out of your externship experience, having a clear understanding of what the medical professionals you are working with hope to achieve will put you on the same page and create a more cohesive working environment.

Practice your "soft skills"
While medical assisting externships certainly present you with the opportunity to cultivate your technical expertise, they also allow you to practice ‘soft skills’ like customer service and communication. Medical assistants are partially responsible for patient care, so be aware of your body language and demeanor whenever you are in the medical office or interacting with patients.

http://carrington.edu

How To Reduce Stress While in College

At any given point in time, most college students are stressed about something; it's just part of going to school. While having stress in your life is normal and often unavoidable, being stressed is something you can control. Follow these ten tips to learn how to keep your stress in check and how to relax when it gets to be too much.

Here's How:

1. Most Importantly: Don't Stress About Being Stressed
   This may seem ridiculous at first, but it is listed first for a reason: when you're feeling stressed, you feel like you're on edge and everything is barely being held together. Don't beat yourself up too badly about it! It's all normal, and the best way to handle stress is to not get more stressed about . . . being stressed. If you're stressed out, admit it and figure out how to handle it. Focusing on it will only make things seem worse.
2. Get Some Sleep
   Being in college means your sleep schedule is, most likely, far from ideal. Getting more sleep can help your mind refocus, recharge, and rebalance. This can mean a quick nap, a night when you go to bed early, or a promise to yourself to stick with a regular sleep schedule. Sometimes, one good night's sleep can be all you need to hit the ground running amidst a stressful time.
3. Get Some Food
   Similar to your sleep habits, your eating habits may have gone by the wayside when you started school. Think about what -- and when -- you've eaten over the past few days. You may think your stress is psychological, but you could also be feeling physical stress (and the "Freshman 15") if you're not fueling your body appropriately. Go eat something balanced and healthy: fruits and veggies, whole grains, protein. Make your mama proud with what you choose for dinner tonight! Lastly, if your meal plan itself is one more thing making you stressed, learn how to pick a plan that's right for you.
4. Get Some Exercise
   You may think that if you don't have the time to sleep and eat properly, you definitely don't have the time to exercise. Fair enough, but if you're feeling stressed, it may be that you need to squeeze it in somehow. Exercise doesn't necessarily have to involve a 2-hour, exhausting workout at the campus gym. It can mean a relaxing, 30-minute walk while listening to your favorite music. In fact, in a little over an hour, you can 1) walk 15 minutes to your favorite off-campus restaurant, 2) eat a quick and healthy meal, 3) walk back, and 4) take a power nap. Imagine how much better you'll feel!
5. Get Some Quiet Time
   Take one moment and think: when was the last time you had some quality, quiet time alone? Personal space for students in college rarely exists. You may share your room, your bathroom, your classrooms, your dining hall, the gym, the bookstore, the library, and anywhere else you go during an average day. Finding a few moments of peace and quiet - with no cell phone, roommates, or crowds - might be just what you need. Stepping out from the crazy college environment for a few minutes can do wonders for reducing your stress.
   
6. Get Some Social Time
   Have you been working on that English paper for 3 days straight? Can you even see what you're writing anymore for your Chemistry lab? You could be stressed because you're being too focused on getting things done. Don't forget that your brain is like a muscle, and even it needs a break every once in a while! Take a break and see a movie. Grab some friends and go out dancing. Hop a bus and hang out downtown for a few hours. Having a social life is an important part of your college experience, so don't be afraid to keep it in the picture when you're stressed. It could be when you need it most!
   
7. Get Some Fun
   You may be stressed about one particular thing: a final paper due Monday, a class presentation due Thursday. You basically just need to sit down and plow through it. If this is the case, try to figure out how to make it a little more fun and enjoyable. Is everyone writing final papers? Agree to work together in your room for 2 hours and then order pizza together for dinner. Do a lot of your classmates have huge presentations to put together? See if you can reserve a classroom or room in the library where you can all work together and share supplies. You may just lower everyone's stress level.
8. Get Some Distance
   You may be handling your own problems and trying to help others around you. While this can be nice for them, check in and be honest with yourself about how your helpful demeanor may be causing more stress in your life. It's okay to take a step back and focus on yourself for a little while, especially if you are stressed and your academics are at risk. After all, how can you keep helping others if you're not even in a state to help yourself? Figure out which things are causing you the most stress and how you can take a step back from each. And then, most importantly, take that step.
9. Get a Little Help
   It can be hard to ask for help, and unless your friends are psychic, they may not know how stressed out you are. Most college students are going through the same things at the same thing, so don't feel silly if you need to just vent for 30 minutes over coffee with a friend. It may help you process out what you need to do, and help you realize that the things you are so stressed about are actually pretty manageable. If you're afraid of dumping too much on a friend, most colleges have counseling centers specifically for their students. Don't be afraid to make an appointment if you think it will help.
10. Get Some Perspective
    College life can be overwhelming. You want to hang out with your friends, join clubs, explore off campus, join a fraternity or sorority, and be involved in the campus newspaper. It can sometimes feel like there aren't enough hours in the day . . . because there aren't. There's only so much any person can handle, but you need to remember the reason why you're in school: academics. No matter how exciting your co-curricular life can be, you won't be able to enjoy any of it if you don't pass your classes. Make sure to keep your eye on the prize and then head out and change the world!
    
    http://collegelife.about.com

Success story of ORT's former student Alen Yousif

I came to Zarem/Golde ORT Technical Institute in 2009 and graduated in 2010. Now I am working with PACE Company driving a small bus and helping disabled people. This school helped me a lot to improve my English and get this job. I am so happy with my job and my life. I made the right choice joining Zarem/Golde ORT Technical Institute.

 Alen Yousif

How to Successfully Find Local Scholarships

When you’re searching for college scholarships, it’s tempting to fire up the computer and spend hours reading through scholarship websites. While the Internet is an abundant source of information, don’t miss scholarship opportunities in your own backyard.

Local organizations have money available for college students, but it requires some networking and creativity to discover them. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to find scholarships in places you may never have considered:

Does my employer offer tuition reimbursement or scholarships?

Many employers offer some form of tuition assistance to eligible students. Ask your manager or human resources representative to see what’s available and if you qualify. If you are a dependent student, your parents’ employers may have scholarship opportunities, too. If you’re looking for a job, ask when you apply or interview.

What clubs or fraternal organizations are in my community?

Social organizations often have scholarship opportunities available for members and their families. You may not have to be directly affiliated with an organization to apply, so be sure to contact local civic groups and clubs to ask about scholarships.

Is there an organization nearby that relates to my field of study?

Whether you’re going into business, criminal justice, education, healthcare, technology or design, chances are there’s a professional organization or foundation dedicated to your field of study. Many of these groups offer scholarships, so it’s worth the effort to ask.

Does my faith community offer scholarships?

If you are a member of a church, synagogue, temple, mosque or other religious organization, you may be eligible for a scholarship. Ask the leader of your congregation about religious-based scholarships.

Your local scholarship search can have benefits that go far beyond your city limits. Many community groups maintain close relationships with state and national organizations, which can offer networking, educational and scholarship opportunities. 

Check the telephone book, search online for local organizations, and ask your friends, family and neighbors. You never know where you’ll find a scholarship.

rasmussen.edu

ESL student Young Jun Park shares his feelings about studying at ORT

Hello, everybody. 

Let me briefly introduce myself. I am a sophomore in mechanical design engineering at the University of Chunbuk in South Korea. As soon as I was discharged from the military in July, 2013 in Korea. I got a phone call from my cousin in Northbrook, IL. She advised me to study English at ORT Technical Institute. She heard ORT has a great ESL program through ORT Korean advisor Soowon Kwon who has known her for a long time. My cousin really wants me to take advantage of good ESL school to improve my English skill. I am confident studying English at ORT will be beneficial for me. I am so excited to study English and make new friends at ORT Technical Institute.

                                                            

Young Jun Park, South Korea

Speak Up! How to Survive Class as a First-Time College Student

Taking college courses for the first time can be nerve-wracking and is often an adjustment for many people. If you’re like many other students, it’s been awhile since you’ve been in a classroom and you may find it difficult to speak up in class. Don’t feel bad – you will be able to overcome this.

Participating in class is important because it truly enhances your overall learning experience and can help increase your overall GPA, as many grades are often weighted on participation. Here are some helpful tips on getting over the fear of speaking up:

1. Try taking a class with someone you feel comfortable with.

If you do this, it will make the atmosphere a little more comfortable and you can also feed off each other in discussion. When it comes to online classes, write discussion posts then have a friend or family member review it and see if they find it interesting or intriguing. If they do, chances are someone studying the same course will.

 

2. Remember: You're all in it together.

It’s important to remember you are all in the classroom for the same reason: to better your future.

No one is in class to judge you or think your opinion is invalid. The more you tell yourself this, the better you will feel. Also, as many instructors say, chances are if you have a question about something so does someone else in the room.

The same goes for online students. Even if someone does not respond to a discussion post at least you were able to put your thoughts out there. There is no one sitting in front of the computer laughing at the screen because you do not have any responses.

 

3. Be as prepared as possible.

The more prepared for class you are, the more comfortable you will feel with speaking up.

It is easy to put off readings and not dust off your book (or turn on your e-Book) until the week of an exam. However, if you look over the chapters and keep up with the readings (even if you just skim them), you will have a better understanding of what is going to be discussed in class ahead of time. In addition, it will help you brainstorm questions and provide answers in class.

If you are more of an introvert – someone who needs time to let the information sink in and develop questions later – preparing before class will help you participate in class and allow you to think of your questions and answers in a timelier manner.

Participating in these three suggestions are three realistic ways to make your involvement in class more comfortable, and can help you achieve a higher grade.

rasmussen.edu