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

4 Foolproof Ways to Build Rapport with Your Instructor

Part of succeeding in school is learning how to take advantage of the tools around you. One of your best resources is your instructor.

Your instructor is there not only to teach you the course’s material and act as an expert on the subject, but also to provoke your thoughts and understand you as an individual. However, it’s in your hands to establish a relationship with your instructor.

Building a relationship with your instructor can help you with:

1. Class participation

Even if you’re not one who often participates in class, talking to your instructor after class to discuss some of the class material or for a deeper explanation as to something you’re confused about can show you’re putting effort into the class. It will also show your instructor what you’re learning about in class is important to you, which will not only reflect on your performance in the class, but also how your instructor views your work ethics.

2. Assignments

If you build a closer relationship with your instructor, it will help when they are trying to understand your thinking on assignments. They may feel more comfortable approaching you with questions, and you will definitely benefit in the same way.  Just like any other person, a instructor will understand you better the more you reach out to them.

3. Job networking

Becoming close with your instructors also allows for some connections through employers. Most instructors have a pretty extensive resume that showcases what they have done in their former careers. In fact, they may have already been down the path you are looking to take and have some resources to assist you in finding the right job.

If your instructor knows what you are seeking in a future career, and you share with them what you are looking for, they’d be more than glad to share with you any information regarding a company or a person they recommend you speak with.

4. Getting comfortable in class

Getting to know a instructor also bridges the gap between being afraid to speak your mind in class. When you have a connection with your instructor, it makes sharing your opinion, asking a question or commenting in class much easier. This also shows the instructor you are eager to engage in class, and understanding a topic comes so much easier when you are comfortable with those around you.

Building a rapport with a instructor can greatly assist you in these four ways, as well as help you earn a higher grade. What experiences have you had with instructors that have improved your academic goals or career life? Share with us by commenting below.

rasmussen.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.

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

10 Social Media Must-Dos For College Students

School’s back in session; now that summer’s over, most college students will be seriously entrenched in classes, social life, and hopefully saving some brain cells for thinking about their future career.

Before assignments start piling up, take a pause to read these essential social media tips to help you save some cash and for making that transition past the commencement gates easier:

1. Undo The Evidence Of Your Summer Fun On Facebook

Did you have a great summer? Maybe your future lover doesn’t want to see all the steamy details. “Yes, you’re the only one,” works better when there aren’t hometown flings on your Facebook timeline. Before school gets back to full swing, you should take some time to review your timeline. Do the pictures paint the story you want to tell your college buds? Set any undesirable posts to “Me Only” so you can keep the memories without the shame. Try using a social media monitoring service call Reppler.com.

2. Ask Your Friends About Their Summer Jobs

Ever hear the expression, “most jobs come from your network”? Well your college friends are your network, and will become extremely valuable connections for you after you graduate. Find out what your friends did, where they worked, over the summer. Could be they have connections at a company you might want an introduction into later on. What could be more flattering than to receive a Facebook message from a friend asking you how your summer job went and what you did there! Be interesting by being interested.

3. Sell Your Old Textbooks On Half.com

The textbook industry has it all figured out. They put the edition and year on each book, and then get the classes to require the newest edition. But only very rarely are the changes from year to year that significant. Greek history 2013 is probably not too far off from Greek history 2014! Your college bookstore won’t give you more than 20% of retail on your books. But if you sell your books on Half or Amazon, you could get over 50% of the book’s value.

4.  Rent Your New Textbooks On Kindle

There is something nice about thumbing through a book. But there is also something nice about paying only $19 to rent a digital textbook instead of paying $100 for ten pounds of lower back pain to carry around all semester. With Kindle, you can take notes, highlight, and even Tweet favorite passages. Consider renting your required reading instead of killing trees this year.

5. Update Your Summer Job On LinkedIn

The longer you wait to include your summer work on your LinkedIn profile, the more you’re going to forget the details of what you did. Sure, it might not have been a dream job, but it still counts as work experience. When I was looking for work after my MBA program, I’ll never forget one interview question that took me by surprise, “What kind of work did you do when you were an undergrad?”

The interviewer said that nothing shows work-ethic more than when a student spends their summer earning their own money rather than spending their parent’s money. So don’t undervalue what you’ve done this summer. Record your work experience in your LinkedIn profile. Also, try adding some of these new elements to your profile: The New LinkedIn Profile Improvement Tool.

6. Get Summer Job Recommendations

Not only will you forget the details of your job once school starts, but your boss will probably forget about how much they liked you. With online job seeking, one of the most powerful elements you bring to the table is what other people think about you. In years past, this used to be a very formal process. You’d have to request a letter of recommendation from your boss. Then they’d ask you to write it and they’d sign it. These days, all you need is a few short paragraphs on your LinkedIn profile. These notes from past managers will be assets that will serve you well once you start your career search.

7. Use Mint To Budget Your Expenses

Ever ask yourself why credit card companies promote their plastic so relentlessly on your campus? It’s because they know many students will use their cards and not pay back the debt for years. Then they can charge you fees and interest, while they fly in their private jets. Stop funding private jets (unless it’s yours). Use an easy and free budgeting tool to make sure you don’t overspend this semester. Mint.com is a free financial management website that aggregates your bank accounts and credit cards into one place.

8. Google Yourself To See Your Online Reputation

Go ahead. I dare you. Our generation has the unique advantage of being online from an early age. This means you’ve been building an online reputation whether you know it or not. Once your online reputation gets a blemish, it’s rather hard to fix. Use a tool called BrandYourself.com to grade your online reputation and get some free tips for improving it.

9. Manage Your Schedule With Google Calendar Features

I haven’t use a paper planner in years. I know some people love them. But when you have all of your classes, clubs and meetings in one Google Calendar, your schedule is everywhere you need it to be: on your phone and computer. You don’t have to shade out three months of classes, only to find out after a week that you don’t like your professor and will not take that class after all. Changing a calendar event is simply a matter of deleting, not erasing. You can even put an inspiring photo of yourself at the beach as the backdrop to help ease some of that mid-semester stress. If your school hasn’t switched to the Google platform, use your Gmail account.

10. Use RateMyProfessor.com to Save Yourself

My $100,000 life lesson was, your education is only as good as the professors who teach your classes. I don’t care what university you go it, if your professor is tired, burnt out or just plain uninspired; your semester will be hell. I’ve been to community college classes with the most enthusiastic professors I’d ever seen. I’ve been to Ivy League classes with a washed up professor who could put coffee to sleep. After you register for the class because you think the title is interesting, head on over to RateMyProfessor.com to make sure the professor can deliver.

www.careerealism.com 

How to Relax over College Holiday Breaks

Shifting from the Chaos of the Semester Often Takes a Little Bit of Work

With every college semester comes stress for college students: Homework. Papers. Midterms. Managing a social life. Managing your finances. And last but not least: Finals.

Once the semester ends, however, how can you relax and unwind?

1. Finish any homework early. If you have papers, research, or other academic work to finish over the break, finish it relatively early. Once you get everything done, your mind will really be able to relax and let go.
2. Take time to reflect on last semester. It may seem silly, but even a few hours of critical thinking about what went well -- and what didn't -- last semester will help clear your mind and get you ready for next semester.
3. Take time to reflect on next semester. Thinking about what you want to do next semester -- managing your time better, exercising, meeting more people -- can help you be mentally ready when the next semester starts. And planning on ways things will be better can help eliminate stress around what the future will bring.
4. Do things that aren't goal-oriented. During the semester, you probably have fifteen things going on at the same time, all of which are goal-oriented: doing homework so you can write that paper or lab report. Reading that article so you can contribute to class discussion or a group project. As a break for you mind, read something just to read it. Attend an event without taking notes. Let your brain relax and enjoy.
5. Mentally let yourself relax. You've been going at such a fast pace during the semester that your brain may need to be reminded that it's actually okay not to be running a million miles an hour. Give your brain the permission to veg.
6. Volunteer. Volunteering is always good for getting some perspective, always good for your spirit, always good for people in need. Conclusion: it's always good. Try it.
7. Connect with your support networks. If you're at home over a break, connect with the systems that support you the best. Friends, family, a familiar hangout, your church/temple/mosque: they all help connect you to what's important and, consequently, let the stress slip away.

http://collegelife.about.com