Ways to Save in College!

How College Students Can Save Money infographic

The SAT and ACT

           



As a junior and senior in high school, one of the most important testing factors that you'll need to consider is the SAT and ACT.  You probably have already begun taking prep courses to get you prepared to take these very important test.  Do you know the difference between the two test?  This is something most high school students if not coached properly on the college entrance process may not be aware of.  Both test hold a high merit for college entry so it is important for you to know what your strengths are because they will determine  how well you perform.  Here is an article about this topic that gives great information about the differences of the SAT and ACT exams.

The SAT vs. the ACT

Colleges will accept either the SAT or ACT. So which should you take?

It's all about the numbers. Some students end up scoring substantially higher on the SAT; others do better on the ACT. In lieu of a crystal ball, we created The Princeton Review Assessment (PRA) designed to help you determine which test is better fit with your abilities.

Find an upcoming assessment in your area >>

To help you zero in on the right exam, here are seven key differences:

ACT questions tend to be more straightforward.

ACT questions are often easier to understand on a first read. On the SAT, you may need to spend time figuring out what you're being asked before you can start solving the problem. For example, here are sample questions from the SAT essay and the ACT writing test (their name for the essay):

SAT: What is your view of the claim that something unsuccessful can still have some value?
ACT: In your view, should high schools become more tolerant of cheating?

The SAT has a stronger emphasis on vocabulary.

If you're an ardent wordsmith, you'll love the SAT. If words aren't your thing, you may do better on the ACT.

The ACT has a Science section, while the SAT does not.

You don't need to know anything about amoebas or chemical reactions for the ACT Science section. It is meant to test your reading and reasoning skills based upon a given set of facts. But if you're a true science-phobe, the SAT might be a better fit.

The ACT tests more advanced math concepts.

In addition to basic arithmetic, algebra I and II, and geometry, the ACT tests your knowledge of trigonometry, too. That said, the ACT Math section is not necessarily harder, since many students find the questions to be more straightforward than those on the SAT.

The ACT Writing Test is optional on test day, but required by many schools.

The 25-minute SAT essay is required and is factored into your writing score. The 30-minute ACT writing test is optional. If you choose to take it, it is not included in your composite score — schools will see it listed separately. Many colleges require the writing section of the ACT, so be sure to check with the schools where you are applying before opting out.

The SAT is broken up into more sections.

On the ACT, you tackle each content area (English, Math, Reading and Science) in one big chunk, with the optional writing test at the end. On the SAT, the content areas (Critical Reading, Math and Writing) are broken up into 10 sections, with the required essay at the beginning. You do a little math, a little writing, a little critical reading, a little more math, etc. When choosing between the SAT and ACT, ask yourself if moving back and forth between content areas confuse you or keep you energized?

The ACT is more of a "big picture" exam.

College admissions officers care about how you did on each section of the SAT. On the ACT, they're most concerned with your composite score. So if you're weak in one content area but strong in others, you could still end up with a very good ACT score and thus make a strong impression with the admissions committee.

www.princetonreview.com. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.princetonreview.com/sat-act.aspx

Summer Opportunities

 As we enter the New Year and new semester, it is not too early to begin thinking about your summer and what opportunities lay ahead for you!  Here are a few recommendations to keep yourself busy this summer that you may consider:

Summer classes Though school is out for the summer, this does not mean you have to stop learning!  Several colleges and universities throughout the state of Florida offer summer programs for high school students spanning a variety of concentrations, including leadership, entrepreneurship, and medical sciences.  This is a great way to stay busy, meet new people, and to also get a feel for different colleges.  Especially if you are particularly interested in a specific school, this is a unique opportunity for you to meet their faculty and introduce yourself to their program, a major bonus for admissions!  Check out this link for more info on some of these programs!  For college students, many schools offer summer classes, a great way to obtain an accelerated degree.  Summer is also an excellent opportunity to take advantage of study abroad opportunities and learn in a different state or even country!

Volunteer Summer presents a great opportunity to give your time and talents to help others.  In previous blog posts we have spoken about the importance of volunteerism and civic engagement; not only does volunteerism help others and the larger community, but it also enriches your own life.  This is especially true in terms of your college and career plans if you have a specific interest.  For example, if you are interested in veterinary science, you may volunteer at an animal shelter or animal clinic.  This not only helps animals and the community, but it also exposes you to the field of your interest – a great experience to have for a resume!

Internships and Jobs With classes out, summer is a time when most students take on an extra job or internship.  Internships are pre-professional work experiences that provide the opportunity to gain experience in a particular field.  By gaining experience in a field, it can help you narrow your career and research interests.  Internships can also provide academic credit and even supplement classes.  They are great opportunities to try different things, without having the commitment of a contract or career move; internships are usually for a couple months or a 1 year program. 

Internships are also a great opportunity to live in a different city, state, or country!  If you are interested in Fashion, you may consider applying to an internship in New York and those interested in Political Science may consider applying to internships in Washington, D.C.  If you are applying to internships and getting academic credit for it, you can often apply financial aid to help you pay for housing or transportation, which is especially helpful if you are considering interning abroad.

January is a great time to start looking for internships and jobs.  Give yourself ample time to fill out the applications thoughtfully, so that you are able to submit a strong application.

To find the internship or job that is right for you, you must first consider your interests and goals.  It is also important to decide what you want to get out of the experience, if the internship is for college credit, perhaps you need a position that fulfills certain guidelines set by your academic advisors.  Internships are great learning experiences for students, and your fresh perspectives and previous experiences are a valuable asset to the organization and employers with whom you will be working with.  For more information on internships and different opportunities, check out the following to find an internship in your field:

• www.internmatch.com

• www.vault.com/wps/portal/usa

• www.libertyguide.com

Finances and the College Student

Happy Friday All!


Now that everyone is settled back into their daily routines after hopefully enjoying a wonderful holiday season, I wanted to resurface from the Alumni Alliance Newsletter an article that touched on college students spending habits.

Financial Budgeting in College           

How do you save for a rainy day?           

Well that will all depend on your spending priorities.  Often times, the college experience is the first time that young adults experience the freedom of spending their money at will without their parent’s direct supervision.  However college is not cheap.  There are many needs and wants that will evolve while in college. Though it is human nature to act impulsively, try to resist because spending irresponsibly comes with a cost.  Shopping sprees, parties, and the latest gadgets are all fun but not when you haven’t purchased groceries, put gas in your vehicle, bought your books for the quarter or paid rent.  I’m sure you may have heard at one point or another that you need to stick to your budget and avoid extra expenditures that may be more of a burden in the long run.  So how do you stick to a budget?  For starters, do you have one?  Well there’s no time like the present.

Start with a Budget

Budgets are great tools for you to visually see what your finances look like from week to week and month to month.  You’ll want to start by writing out what your expenses are, beginning with the most important to the least.  The important expenses are what are called “The Non negotiables.”  What that means is take care of your needs first before your wants.  Deviating from taking care of the non negotiable should not be entertained.  Establishing a sound financial regime is a way to develop ongoing responsible spending habits.  Paying your bills on time keeps you out of many financial woes.   Many students don’t take the time to budget their money and end up with more debt than they can handle.  Obligations first, wants later.

Credit Cards

 If you haven’t been solicited by a credit card company yet, you may be soon.  Consider going through your bank to obtain a credit card.  They can provide the best guidance on what suits your financial situation. All you really need is one credit card for emergencies.  Just because you are offered a new spending account at Macy’s doesn’t mean you can afford it.  Spend within your means and you will thank yourself later!

Financial Planning

Planning for your future starts with the present.  Get into the practice of saving money.  A savings account is a great way to start saving.  Consider saving $5 dollars per week.  If you can afford to put more away per week, do so.  It may not seem like a lot at the time but every cent adds up.  Instead of splurging on going out to eat or the movies, plan a dinner night where everyone pitches in the meal lowering the cost on everyone’s pocket book.  Instead of spending $35-40 for a night at the movies, catch a dollar show or host a movie night at your place.  Waiting to see the latest movie won’t really make that much of a difference.  If you have vacations or tripped planned for the future, start saving now.

When in doubt, Ask  

If you need help with managing your money and you don’t know where to go, ask someone who is financially stable.  Start with your parents.  They may or may not be good with financial planning, but they certainly can give you some practical knowledge on their own experiences.  Check with your local financial institutions to see if they offer seminars on managing your money, planning for the future, and credit scores.  You can also talk with your student advisor or financial aid office to see if there are workshops offered for students on financial planning.  The best time to learn how to budget your finances is while you are young so that it becomes a lifelong practice.

Things to Do Over the Holidays

With the holiday season underway, here are a few tips to keep things lively with family and friends

Top Ten Holiday Activities that Don’t Require an Internet Connection

1. Getting on your family’s nerves… in person.
2. Standing in an actual line at 4 am for the Black Friday sales.
3. Getting lost (no smartphone) on the way to that holiday party you didn’t want to go to anyway.
4. Eating too many cookies.
5. Arguing about which DVD movie to watch instead of stumbling through the Netflix UI.
6. Eating too much chocolate.
7. Listening to holiday music… on an FM radio.
8. Legitimately avoiding work.
9. Sharing holiday inanities with your neighbors, not your Twitter followers.
10. Enjoying the year’s holiday loot – no firmware update required.

Ok seriously though, this holiday season, plug from the electronics and plug into a good book and a nice cup of tea or coffee, and do make a point to share lots of laughs and love with your family while you can because before you know it, January will be here and back to the madness we will all go.

Top ten list taken from: http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2010-11/top-ten-holiday-activities-without-internet/retrieved on December 18, 2012

Avoiding Mistakes

How often do we walk right into a situation without thinking abut the repercussions of our decisions?  Or what about when we've planned and planned again and our plans still don't work out the way we would have hoped, is it worth having another plan of action or should we just leave things alone and move on to something else?

Mistakes sometimes are inevitable, however a strategy still should be set in place in the event of any type of set back.

I would like to share an article by Dr. Ben Kim titled:

 Overcoming the Fear of Making Mistakes
posted by

Margaret Chuong-Kim

When I was a little girl growing up, my parents frequently warned me against making mistakes. They believed that as long as I did things slowly and carefully, and learned from other people’s blunders, there was no need for mistakes to be made. Whenever I did screw up I was often chastised for not being careful enough, for not thinking things through, or for not listening closely enough when I was told about other people’s mistakes. I grew into an anxiety-ridden teenager, afraid of making even the tiniest mistake, and strove for perfection.

As a young adult, I came to realize that I couldn’t hold onto the ideal of perfection any longer. For one thing, I can never be perfect! No one can. That is an impossible task, and to strive for perfection is to guarantee failure. For another thing, trying to avoid mistakes was limiting, because in order to do so I was avoiding trying new and different things.

How can you break free from the fear of making mistakes?

First, determine where your desire for perfection comes from. For me, it was the fear of being criticized, first by my parents, then by people in general. Maybe you learned to associate making mistakes with being judged, rejected, and ridiculed, and you have carried that association with you to this very day. Think about where and how your perfectionism originated.

Second, examine your beliefs about making mistakes. I had learned to believe that a mistake would lead to catastrophe. For example, if I chose poorly in terms of whom I befriended, surely that was indicative of my downward spiral into becoming a gangster. If I failed a math test, surely that meant I would never get into university and end up a homeless bag lady. You may be thinking, “illogical beliefs”, and indeed they are, but that is the nature of the fear that drives perfectionism. What are your “illogical beliefs”? Choose an instance where you are afraid of failing or making a mistake. What would happen if you failed or goofed-up? Then what would happen after that? How do you think you would handle it?

Third, find instances that prove your beliefs wrong. For instance, I have had my share of questionable characters as friends, and I have failed more than one math test in my lifetime. The world did not come to an end, I did not end up a gangster, and I did get a decent education. These facts prove my old beliefs wrong. What are some facts that dispute your beliefs about making mistakes?

Fourth, develop new beliefs. The fear of making mistakes develops as we grow and perceive other people’s reactions to our screw-ups. When we experience other people responding negatively to our mistakes, we learn to think of mistakes as something bad. However, contrary to popular belief, making mistakes can be good. How else would you learn without screwing up? Think about when you learned to walk for the first time. You were really terrible at it, as was I, as was everyone in the world. Even after we tried walking for the twentieth time, we were still not very good at it. But babies haven’t learned negative associations with making mistakes yet. Can you imagine if babies were afraid of making mistakes? No one would ever learn to walk. No one would ever learn to tie shoelaces. No one would ever learn to read or write. So think of making mistakes as a learning experience. It’s how we grow and expand our horizons. It’s how we develop as people. Making mistakes is also part of the human condition. To be imperfect is to be human, and we can’t expect any more than that.

Fifth, be kind to yourself when you make mistakes. You may experience the tendency to beat yourself up after you’ve made a mistake. You tell yourself you’re an idiot, you convince yourself that you’ve let all of your friends and family down, you torture yourself with guilt, and you think over and over again about how you screwed up. When you find yourself doing this, interrupt the process by reminding yourself that you have just had an opportunity to learn something. Ask yourself what you have learned. Ask yourself how you might apply it in the future. Remind yourself that you’re human. Then pat yourself on the back for adding a new skill to your set. Congratulations!

There are always at least two ways to interpret a situation, and you can choose to look at making mistakes in a positive way, or you can choose to look at mistakes in a negative way. It’s certainly more productive to perceive slip-ups as positive experiences. I find it helpful to think back to when I was a tiny little kid and how I must have made hundreds of mistakes in a week! But boy, so much learning went on and life sure was a lot more fun then.

Sixth, make some mistakes! In other words, try something new. Is there something in your life that you’d like to try, but fear is getting in the way? It may be a new sport, it may be taking a course at a local college, or it may be trying to learn how to cook. Whatever it is, so long as you’re not hurting anybody, why not give it a try?

 article take from:

 (n.d.). Overcoming the Fear of Making Mistakes. In Dr. Ben Kim. Retrieved December 13, 2012, from http://drbenkim.com/articles-mistakes.html.

Resume Writing!

Today we will talking about putting together a resume! A resume is a document that summarizes your employment, education, and community involvement history.  It can also detail any awards, honors, skills, or experiences that may be relevant to the job you are applying to.

A sample resume, this can be accessed in its original form
through the link at the end of this article

The purpose of a resume is to get you an interview or offer – whether it may be for college admissions or a job opportunity, your resume’s purpose is to persuade an employer or admissions committee that you have the experience and knowledge that is right for them. So let’s break it down!

A resume usually contains six sections:

1.      Contact
2.      The objective statement
3.      Education
4.      Experience
5.      Honors, activities, and outreach
6.      Skills

CONTACT

The contact section is an often overlooked, yet very important section because it is what enables your future employer to contact you with a job offer! Be sure it is up-to-date and accurate.  Under the contact section, be sure to include

• your full name
• your e-mail address
• your permanent address
• your local or campus address (if applicable)
• your phone number(s)
• your web address/URL

OBJECTIVE

The objective states why you are applying, typically what position you are applying for (sometimes employers have multiple job listings posted), and a short statement of why you would be the right fit.

EDUCATION

In your education section, you should list your education background chronologically with the most recent at the top.  If you graduated with honors (magna cum laude, cum laude, etc) be sure to list that! 

EMPLOYMENT

For the section on employment history/work experience, there are a few components to keep in mind:

• Title
• Position
• Dates employed
• Short summary of duties

AWARDS/HONORS

The awards/honors section is the place for you to shine!  If you have been involved with any honor societies, received scholarships (like TSIC!), or recognized for your work, this is the place to post it.  If you have extensive community service work, it is also important to include a section detailing your work.  This shows how you are well-rounded and altruistic.

SKILLS

Finally, it is important to list your skills, including any foreign languages, computer skills, and personal skills you may have. 

For more information check out https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/719/01/. 

They have a great guide that helps you outline each section. 
Good luck and get writing!