One of the greatest tools at your disposal during your college career is the use of organization. Organization is the key to being able to get all your work done while still having free time to do things you enjoy, like hanging out with your friends. I'm going to lay out a few quick and simple tips that will get you organized and well on your way to having much more free time to spend however you please. One easy way to get organized is to start using a planner, and that will be the focus of the 3 steps in this post.
1. Get a handbook or planner.
Most incoming freshmen will receive a free planner from the college or university, so make good use of it! Electronic planners work wonders as well. Have it handy at the beginning and end of each class, as these are the two most likely times for your instructor to lay out their class plans and assignments for the week. Try not to get into the habit of waiting until later to fill in your planner, because you will be likely to forget some important detail about the next class or an assignment.
You can also jot down any social events or plans you make with friends in the planner, this will actually help give you some idea (when you review your planner later) about what activities will be feasible with your work load for a certain day or week. After you are done with classes for the day, take a few minutes to review what you have written down in your planner.
2. Check your planner regularly.
Your planner will do you absolutely no good unless you check if frequently! Try to get used to checking your planner often, and once you do this for a while it will become habitual and you'll check it without even thinking. Ideally, you should check your planner first thing in the morning (to make sure you didn't miss anything you were supposed to do before class), then give it a quick glance when you add things to it at the start and end of each class (this will help you keep the agenda fresh in your mind throughout the day), and finally check your planner one last time before you go to sleep each night (again, making sure that you have gotten everything done that you had planned, and that you haven't missed anything).
However, the most important time to check and review your planner is after you are done with classes for the day and have a few minutes to get your plans in order. Get out your planner and a scrap sheet of paper, and you'll be ready to do the most important part of planner organization, making a priority list!
3. Prioritize your list of tasks for the day.
When you are reviewing your planner, it may be a good idea to get out a separate sheet of paper so you can actually write out how you want to go about doing everything. The best way to prioritize your assignments and tasks is to consider the obvious factors, such as how long will the assignment take, how difficult will it be to do, which assignment is worth the most credit, the least amount of credit, and so on.
The assignment that is worth the most credit or is the most difficult should usually be done first, even if they won't take the longest to do. The length of time it will take to do an assignment is more of something to consider when thinking about how long it will take you to complete your tasks as a whole, not really in whether or not it should be done first. And if you find yourself running short on time and don't have an assignment quite finished when it's time to turn it in, keep in mind you will be much better off losing a few points on an assignment that is worth 10 points than one worth 100 points! As hard as this may be to do sometimes, you should ALWAYS place social events and plans with friends at the bottom of the list! If an event takes place at a certain time, factor that in to your priority list, and try to have as much done as possible before that time, with your least important assignments to be completed afterward.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
On-Campus Apartments
You can sometimes luck into getting one of these living spaces with your friends if other spaces are already taken or under construction, or by some other odd circumstance, but certainly don't be banking on this to happen. These apartments are just like a normal apartment, but it is right there on campus only a few minutes walk from the buildings in which you will attend class. That is one of the major advantages of living on-campus, you won't have to worry about constantly filling up your gas tank in order to simply get to and from school. Honestly, living in either a dorm or on-campus apartment, you may not even need to have a car at all, except on school breaks when you plan to come home (and at most schools, you won't have a choice because they close down the campus living quarters during the Winter and Summer breaks, and some even close them on the Spring and Fall breaks).
However, depending upon how strictly your prospective school's rules are enforced, and what the rules actually are at your school, you may wind up feeling like you are a teenager back at a summer camp being told what you can do and when you can do it. For most schools, different rules apply to those living in on-campus apartments than to those living in the actual dorms. This is mainly because only certain situations will qualify people to live in these apartments. This all depends on your school's specific rules, so make sure to check with any prospective schools about their requirements before making any concrete plans.
If you do qualify, these apartments are usually fully fitted, with a full (or mostly full) kitchen, bathroom (with shower or bathtub, or both), living rooms and bedrooms. Check with your school to see what furnishings they provide. Some schools even have a washer and drier in each apartment, or at least the proper outlets for you to place your own in. If this is the case, don't go buying a brand new washer and dryer as they cost a small fortune. Instead, try checking out a store that sells used washers and dryers. You can get a washer dryer set for just $100-200 instead of $800-1000. Other schools may have a shared set of washers and driers for each floor as well. Again, just remember to ask questions about these things while inquiring about your possible apartment living space, as these will all be extremely important in not only choosing where you will live, but it may also be a determining factor in choosing which college you ultimately decide to attend.
The Pell Grant
The Pell Grant is usually awarded to prospective or current students over the age of 25 (because at this age you are considered independent), and have a qualifying annual income. The portion of the Pell Grant that you will receive is automatically calculated based upon your answers to the questions in the FAFSA online form. The most important factors that determine your eligibility for this grant are:
1. You are over the age of 25, or are otherwise considered to be "independent" (in other words, your parents/guardians do not claim you as a dependent on their tax returns).
2. Your annual income. Do not get discouraged if you do not initially qualify due to your annual income being too high; there are ways around this!
If your annual income is too high and you do not qualify, but you are either having your work hours cut or quitting work altogether in order to attend classes, you can still receive Pell Grant benefits by speaking with a financial adviser at your school and filling out a "Student Special Circumstances" (or similar) form. This form serves the purpose of documenting the fact that, although you may have made a certain salary for the previous tax year, you will no longer have that level of income, or perhaps no income at all.
In order to complete this sort of form, you must provide a letter or some proof from your employer that you will no longer be working for them as of a certain date, or that you will be working much less due to your class schedule. You will also be required to provide a copy of your last pay stub so that the adviser can calculate what you will actually make in that academic year, which will more accurately measure what you should be able to receive from the Pell Grant.
For me personally, I was able to go from not being able to receive any money from the grant to receiving the maximum amount simply because I filled out this form stating that I would have no income once I started classes.
1. You are over the age of 25, or are otherwise considered to be "independent" (in other words, your parents/guardians do not claim you as a dependent on their tax returns).
2. Your annual income. Do not get discouraged if you do not initially qualify due to your annual income being too high; there are ways around this!
If your annual income is too high and you do not qualify, but you are either having your work hours cut or quitting work altogether in order to attend classes, you can still receive Pell Grant benefits by speaking with a financial adviser at your school and filling out a "Student Special Circumstances" (or similar) form. This form serves the purpose of documenting the fact that, although you may have made a certain salary for the previous tax year, you will no longer have that level of income, or perhaps no income at all.
In order to complete this sort of form, you must provide a letter or some proof from your employer that you will no longer be working for them as of a certain date, or that you will be working much less due to your class schedule. You will also be required to provide a copy of your last pay stub so that the adviser can calculate what you will actually make in that academic year, which will more accurately measure what you should be able to receive from the Pell Grant.
For me personally, I was able to go from not being able to receive any money from the grant to receiving the maximum amount simply because I filled out this form stating that I would have no income once I started classes.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Dorm Life
Dorm life in college is highly dependent on several factors. These include, but are not limited to; size of the college or university, co-ed (boys and girls in the same building) or same sex dorm set-up, room size, room accessories...the list goes on and on. Dorms are traditionally thought to only be for students that are young and fresh out of high school, and if you are not fresh out of high school I would recommend some other living arrangement unless the dorms are your only option.
Dorm life, like anything else, has its pros and cons. One great thing about living in a dorm is that you get to meet many new friends, and there is always someone to hang out with or something to do when you have free time from your studies. The bad end of this is, there is little to no privacy when you are studying, or simply want to be left alone. Your almost bound to have a roommate, and if it is one chosen at random, its like a box of chocolates, you never know what you might get! You may get lucky and have a great roommate that shares your interests and becomes a lifelong friend, or you may be very unlucky and get a roommate that is nothing like you and butts heads with you on a daily basis.
Your dorm experience will also vary with the way the dorm itself is set up. Obviously, a co-ed dorm is a welcomed sight for most high school graduates, both male and female alike. However, you will most likely not have members of the opposite sex for neighbors, because most schools separate males and females in an alternating floor fashion, with boys on one floor, girls on the next, and so on. While the co-ed dorm set-up is usually more fun for young students, it also provides a huge distraction from your studies. It will be up to you to balance study time and play time, which is all part of the college experience.
Many dorms will also have only one large bathroom per floor which must be shared by all the residents of that floor, so if you are uncomfortable showering or using the toilet around other members of the same sex this could present a problem. A helpful tip: You may want to wear some sandals or some other form of shoe that is water-safe when showering in a shared bathroom, because there are many infections and foot fungi that are spread in these areas.
Living in the dorm, you are sure to experience many new things with different and interesting people. You are also bound to experience the pitfalls of dorm life as well, arguements with your roommate, and struggles to find a quiet place to study or rest. Ultimately it is up to you to decide whether or not dorm life is for you, and hopefully knowing these insights ahead of time will help greatly to aid you in your decision.
The FAFSA
A few things to keep in mind when you start adding up the costs of
registering for classes at any school. First and foremost, DON'T FREAK
OUT! Indeed, no matter what type of post-secondary school you are
interested in, there will be a hefty bill. Like I said, don't freak
out! There are plenty of options available for people from all walks of life.
The first step to receiving financial assistance is to fill out the
financial aid form known as FAFSA. This form asks you to answer
anywhere from a few (if you're tax returns are simple), to a multitude
(as your tax returns become more complex) of questions about your living
and financial situations. Some of these questions will apply to you,
while others will apply to your family (mainly if you have dependents or are a dependent of someone else). It can seem to be a tedious
task, but the fruits of your labor will be more than worth it.
In many
cases, filling out the FAFSA will qualify you for enough financial aid
grants (which you do not have to pay back), and loans (which you DO have
to pay back) to not only pay for your tuition and book costs, but give
you some extra cash to live on during the course of the semester. In
the next post, I will go into detail about the "Pell Grant", which is
mainly for those adults or young adults who file their taxes as
Independents. For now, remember that filling out the FAFSA is the best
way to quickly gain access to grants and loans which will help you pay
for school; it automatically figures an estimate of what you will
receive based on the answers you provide (which, by the way, must be accurate).
What is a Dependent? Independent?
For some of you, this will be the first time you have heard the terms "dependent" or "independent", as some of you may have never had to file taxes before. I will explain so that you will have a better idea of which to identify yourself as in your FAFSA. If you have never heard these terms before, chances are you are filed as a dependent of your parents or guardians. This means that you rely on them for most of your support. If you want to be sure, ask your parents if they still file you as a dependent on their taxes. After age 25, they are no longer able to file you as a dependent, so you are independent by default. Independent means that you support yourself. Make sure to put this in correctly, as it can make a huge difference in your FAFSA estimated aid.
You will receive much more aid as an independent than you will as a dependent. Basically if you are dependent, you will have to ask your parents if they are willing to stop filing you as their dependent. Most parents will be hesitant to do this, as it makes a big difference in decreasing the amount of taxes they pay or increasing how much they get back in their tax return. Simply sit down and discuss the situation with them and decide together as a family what the best option is. If they opt to keep you as a dependent, they will may end up having to take out a Parent Plus loan to help you pay for college anyway, so they will need to choose which option they are more comfortable with. If they allow you to become independent, along with the Pell grant you will be able to take out Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans to help pay tuition and living expenses.
What does Subsidized/Unsubsidized mean?
Many people ask this question, and the answer is more simple than one may think. Unlike the Pell grant or any other grants and scholarships you may receive, subsidized and unsubsidized loans must be paid back after you complete your education. The difference between subsidized and unsubsidized is basically whether or not you accrue interest during the time between when you take out the loan and when you pay it back.
With a subsidized loan, you will not have interest added on to the amount you owe, it will simply be the amount you borrowed that you have to pay back. In unsubsidized loans, you will accrue (meaning build up) interest as you continue to attend college until you pay your loans back. This is usually not a huge percentage of the total loan, but can still add up to a sizeable amount of extra money you have to pay back.
You also have the option to pay the interest as you go, so that it doesn't continue to build up. If you can afford to do this, it pays dividends later because as you gain more interest, it gets placed into the principal loan amount (therefore charging you interest on the interest you have accrued already). By the time you graduate (especially if you continue to graduate/professional school and attend another 4-6 years with higher tuition and loans), paying the interest as you go can save several thousands of dollars, if not tens of thousands.
Are there other Grants and Scholarships to help me pay for classes?
There are a lot of grants and scholarships out there for almost anything you can imagine. Search the web or ask your high school or prospective college for information on possible options. For many of these grants and scholarships, however, you will have to meet a very specific set of requirements. They may also require you to write an essay stating why you deserve to receive the award.
Like I said before, there are tons of different grants and scholarships out there; the problem is that each one only awards the money one or a few students each year, and competition is usually pretty high. This shouldn't dissuade you from trying though, because there is still a good chance you could be chosen. Keep in mind also that most will also require you to keep a certain GPA and attend classes full-time (at least 12 credit hours or more per semester).
Search the web for grants or scholarships in your state. The earlier in the year, the better. So January is the best time to apply usually, but some also open at other times of the year so make sure to check the application deadline and the date applications begin being accepted so you can apply at the earliest possible time. Your school may also provide it's own internal scholarships or grants to students so make sure to check with them about that. I have known some schools that provide students with different grant/scholarship amounts depending on their high school GPA or previous college GPA if transferring or entering their second or higher semester with the school. It is definitely worth investing some time to find out what you have to work with, it can make a significant difference in the amount of loans you ultimately have to take out.
What is a Dependent? Independent?
For some of you, this will be the first time you have heard the terms "dependent" or "independent", as some of you may have never had to file taxes before. I will explain so that you will have a better idea of which to identify yourself as in your FAFSA. If you have never heard these terms before, chances are you are filed as a dependent of your parents or guardians. This means that you rely on them for most of your support. If you want to be sure, ask your parents if they still file you as a dependent on their taxes. After age 25, they are no longer able to file you as a dependent, so you are independent by default. Independent means that you support yourself. Make sure to put this in correctly, as it can make a huge difference in your FAFSA estimated aid.
You will receive much more aid as an independent than you will as a dependent. Basically if you are dependent, you will have to ask your parents if they are willing to stop filing you as their dependent. Most parents will be hesitant to do this, as it makes a big difference in decreasing the amount of taxes they pay or increasing how much they get back in their tax return. Simply sit down and discuss the situation with them and decide together as a family what the best option is. If they opt to keep you as a dependent, they will may end up having to take out a Parent Plus loan to help you pay for college anyway, so they will need to choose which option they are more comfortable with. If they allow you to become independent, along with the Pell grant you will be able to take out Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans to help pay tuition and living expenses.
What does Subsidized/Unsubsidized mean?
Many people ask this question, and the answer is more simple than one may think. Unlike the Pell grant or any other grants and scholarships you may receive, subsidized and unsubsidized loans must be paid back after you complete your education. The difference between subsidized and unsubsidized is basically whether or not you accrue interest during the time between when you take out the loan and when you pay it back.
With a subsidized loan, you will not have interest added on to the amount you owe, it will simply be the amount you borrowed that you have to pay back. In unsubsidized loans, you will accrue (meaning build up) interest as you continue to attend college until you pay your loans back. This is usually not a huge percentage of the total loan, but can still add up to a sizeable amount of extra money you have to pay back.
You also have the option to pay the interest as you go, so that it doesn't continue to build up. If you can afford to do this, it pays dividends later because as you gain more interest, it gets placed into the principal loan amount (therefore charging you interest on the interest you have accrued already). By the time you graduate (especially if you continue to graduate/professional school and attend another 4-6 years with higher tuition and loans), paying the interest as you go can save several thousands of dollars, if not tens of thousands.
Are there other Grants and Scholarships to help me pay for classes?
There are a lot of grants and scholarships out there for almost anything you can imagine. Search the web or ask your high school or prospective college for information on possible options. For many of these grants and scholarships, however, you will have to meet a very specific set of requirements. They may also require you to write an essay stating why you deserve to receive the award.
Like I said before, there are tons of different grants and scholarships out there; the problem is that each one only awards the money one or a few students each year, and competition is usually pretty high. This shouldn't dissuade you from trying though, because there is still a good chance you could be chosen. Keep in mind also that most will also require you to keep a certain GPA and attend classes full-time (at least 12 credit hours or more per semester).
Search the web for grants or scholarships in your state. The earlier in the year, the better. So January is the best time to apply usually, but some also open at other times of the year so make sure to check the application deadline and the date applications begin being accepted so you can apply at the earliest possible time. Your school may also provide it's own internal scholarships or grants to students so make sure to check with them about that. I have known some schools that provide students with different grant/scholarship amounts depending on their high school GPA or previous college GPA if transferring or entering their second or higher semester with the school. It is definitely worth investing some time to find out what you have to work with, it can make a significant difference in the amount of loans you ultimately have to take out.
On-Campus/Off-Campus Life Page
On-Campus/Off-Campus Life:
Living on or off campus is a huge decision that requires a lot of thought. I have lived in a dormitory, on and off campus apartments, with family living nearby, and even in a fraternity house. I know the pros and cons of each of these living situations, and that is what this page is dedicated to; helping you decide on the best living situation for you.
To access this page, simply click on the "On-Campus/Off Campus Life" tab at the top of this page.
Financial Aid Page
Financial Aid:
Figuring out how to pay for the incredibly high costs of college is one of the biggest (and most frightening) hurdles to overcome for many of us when entering or returning to college. I myself returned to school after a 4 year leave of absence, and I know first hand how terrifying it can be to start looking at the costs associated with signing up for classes. This page will include tips and advice that I have learned from my own experience, as well as other info about financial aid I have personally reviewed and researched.
Don't let fear of the paying for college stop you for a second. If you file your own taxes and are not considered a dependant of your parents or guardian, you will easily be able to get the amount of financial aid and loans that you need, not only to pay for classes but also have enough left over to pay things like rent, food, and other "cost of living" expenses.
If you are a high school student or just out of high school, you may need to have your parents sign for an extra loan if your normal loans can't cover the costs. There are loans known as Parent Plus loans that can help not only cover the cost of classses but also the cost of living.
Don't let fear of the paying for college stop you for a second. If you file your own taxes and are not considered a dependant of your parents or guardian, you will easily be able to get the amount of financial aid and loans that you need, not only to pay for classes but also have enough left over to pay things like rent, food, and other "cost of living" expenses.
If you are a high school student or just out of high school, you may need to have your parents sign for an extra loan if your normal loans can't cover the costs. There are loans known as Parent Plus loans that can help not only cover the cost of classses but also the cost of living.
To see all the posts I've made about Financial Aid, simply click on the "Financial Aid" tab at the top right of this page.
Tutoring Page
Tutoring Page:
This page is dedicated to students helping one another with any questions that arise with regards to homework, studying, and any assignments that cause you trouble. I will help with any questions that I can, but anyone is welcome to help answer questions that arise. Here you are welcome to post questions from high school level all the way up to senior year undergraduate college questions and receive feedback from myself and others quickly! As far as graduate level courses and questions go, since I am a medical student, that is my main area of expertise, but I will gladly help in any way I can with any questions on any subject. Others will also be able to comment and leave advice of their own on other graduate and professional programs.
To show all the posts I've made about Tutoring, simply click on the "Tutoring" tab at the top right of this page.
This page is dedicated to students helping one another with any questions that arise with regards to homework, studying, and any assignments that cause you trouble. I will help with any questions that I can, but anyone is welcome to help answer questions that arise. Here you are welcome to post questions from high school level all the way up to senior year undergraduate college questions and receive feedback from myself and others quickly! As far as graduate level courses and questions go, since I am a medical student, that is my main area of expertise, but I will gladly help in any way I can with any questions on any subject. Others will also be able to comment and leave advice of their own on other graduate and professional programs.
To show all the posts I've made about Tutoring, simply click on the "Tutoring" tab at the top right of this page.
What Major will I Choose? Page
What Major Should I Choose?:
Even before you graduate from high school, you should be thinking about what path you will choose to walk during your time in college. Many people don't decide on a major until they have already completed several semesters of college courses, but this usually only results in having several credit hours of coursework that you don't need for your major, which results in a huge waste of time and money. Having a better idea of what each major actually entails can really open your eyes to exactly what sort of major you may want to pursue in college. Knowing what to expect in terms of the variety of available jobs for graduates of different majors will greatly assist you in deciding if the major you plan to pursue is truly what you want. I will be posting lots of information about various majors on this page to help with just these sorts of problems.
Even before you graduate from high school, you should be thinking about what path you will choose to walk during your time in college. Many people don't decide on a major until they have already completed several semesters of college courses, but this usually only results in having several credit hours of coursework that you don't need for your major, which results in a huge waste of time and money. Having a better idea of what each major actually entails can really open your eyes to exactly what sort of major you may want to pursue in college. Knowing what to expect in terms of the variety of available jobs for graduates of different majors will greatly assist you in deciding if the major you plan to pursue is truly what you want. I will be posting lots of information about various majors on this page to help with just these sorts of problems.
Organization Page
Organization:
This page will assist you with organizing your schoolwork, schedule, and
daily tasks in order to help you make the most of your time. Good time
management skills are key to any post-secondary education major, as
well as many high school courses. Any time you need advice with class
scheduling, prioritizing a study schedule, or you are simply feeling
overwhelmed and need some direction or somewhere to start, comment here
and I will be sure to help you have your tasks well organized in no
time!
To view all the posts I've made about Organization, simply click the "Organization" tab under "Pages" at the top right of this page.
To view all the posts I've made about Organization, simply click the "Organization" tab under "Pages" at the top right of this page.
Viewing Posts by Subject Matter
For your convenience, I have created several links that will bring up all posts pertaining to a certain subject line of my blog. These will be subjects regarding the various aspects of college education that you may need help with or simply be interested in learning more about. I will continue to add content to the site as I can to help in as many aspects of the college experience as possible. I will add more content to this blog on a regular basis, so continue to check back often as there will always be some new content to check out!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Welcome!
Hello everyone! My name is Wesley Meade. I am currently a full-time student enrolled at the University of Pikeville about to enter my Senior year of Pre-Medical study. During my journey from high school until now I have experienced many adversities and overcome many obstacles, and from these experiences as well as mistakes I have made along the way, I have learned a great deal about how to approach these obstacles and how to use every tool at my disposal in order to help me achieve any goal. With this blog, I hope to help others who are beginning their journey through high school, and currently making the journey through high school and into college. I will also make many posts that will apply to those adults that may be trying to decide whether or not to go back to school and get a degree. I will make regular posts so check back often!
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