Back to School 2014

Page 2 | Back to school | Friday, August 8, 2014

It’s hard to think my second summer as an intern for the Tribune is already over. Both this year and last year I was given the opportunity to both write about and photograph amazing people and events. I’m now preparing to start college this fall, majoring in photography and education. While journalism isn’t in my plan for college, I definitely plan to keep up with writing. I’d like to thank all of the staff at the Tribune for being the greatest co-workers around and teaching me all that I’ve learned over the last two years.

- Erin Murtaugh

Back-to-School Quiet study spaces What’s the difference?

Sometimes studying is done best in an environment different than school or your house. Here are some ideas to switch up your normal study space.

The SAT is an aptitude test, looking to see how smart someone is. The ACT is an achievement test, finding how hard you worked in school.

Caribou Coffee - With its new location, Caribou Coffee has a good areas with tables and comfortable chairs to get some work done.

SAT

Prairie Wind Coffee - Prairie Wind Coffee has always had a welcoming feel with the lots of tables to sit at and the perfect balance of noise and quiet.

SHOP LOCALLY!

The Albert Lea Public Library - The library is always known as a quiet place. Plus, there’s free wifi. Score!

Outside - Head to a park or even just your backyard. Getting fresh air will definitely help.

A friend’s house - Sometimes having someone else to keep you on track is necessary while studying.

There are three components to the test, including math, critical reading and writing.

There is a -¼ point penalty for guessing.

The essay portion is mandatory.

The time limit is 3 hours and 45 minutes.

A perfect score is 2,400.

There are more math problems than on the ACT, but they are easier.

ACT

The ACT has sections on reading, math, English, science and writing.

There is no penalty for guessing.

The writing section of the test is optional.

There is a 2 hour and 55 minute time limit.

A perfect score is 36.

There are less math problems than on the SAT, but are more difficult.

Friday, August 8, 2014 | Back to school | Page 3

Entertainment coming this fall

Call today and schedule your dentist appointment at any of our 4 locations before school starts!

Listen

Read

Maroon 5, “V”: Sept. 2 Flyleaf, “Between the Stars”: Sept. 16 Tim McGraw, “Sundown Heaven Town”: Sept. 16 Kenny Chesney, “The Big Revival”: Sept. 23 Gerard Way, “Hesitant Alien”: Sept. 30 Alex & Sierra, “It’s About Us”: Oct. 7 Fifth Harmony, “Drown on Solid Ground”: Oct. 25 Angels & Airwaves, “POET”: Oct. 31

A. J. Betts, “Zac and Mia”: Sept. 2 Andrea Portes, “Anatomy of a Misfit”: Sept. 2 James Patterson, “Confessions”: Sept. 16 Sherry Thomas, “The Perilous Sea”: Sept. 16 Darren Shan, “Zom-B Family”: Oct. 7 Shane Burcaw, “Laughing at my Nightmare”: Oct. 14 Josh Sundquist, “We Should Hang Out Sometime”: Dec. 23

Watch “Dolphin Tale 2” (PG): Sept.

12 “The Maze Runner” (PG-13): Sept. 19 “The Boxtrolls” (PG): Sept. 26 “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” (PG): Oct. 10 “Book of Life” (PG): Oct. 17

“Big Hero 6” (Not Yet Rated): Nov. 7 “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1” (Not Yet Rated) Nov. 21 “Annie” (PG) Dec. 19 “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” (Not Yet Rated): Dec. 19

Blooming Prairie (507) 583-2141 405 E. Main St., Blooming Prairie, MN 55917

Owatonna (507) 455-1000 1170 East Frontage Rd, Owatonna, MN 55060

Rochester (507) 536-7700 3110 Wellner Dr NE, Rochester, MN 55906

New Richland (507) 463-0502 132 N. Broadway, New Richland, MN 56072

www.mainstreetdentalclinics.com

Page 4 | Back to school | Friday, August 8, 2014

After-school snacks Kick after-school hunger to the curb with these quick, easy and delicious snack ideas.

Cheesecake Fruit Dip 1 block of cream cheese at room temperature 1 jar of marshmallow fluff assorted fruit 1. Mix cream cheese and marshmallow fluff until well-blended.

2. Serve with assorted fruit.

Wayne O. Sletten, DDS, MSD 1206 W. Front St Albert Lea, MN • 373-1915

Member of the American Association of Orthodontists

No-Bake Energy Balls 1 cup dry oats (I use 1/2 quick oats and 1/2 cup old-fashioned) 1/2 cup ground flax seed or wheat germ Homemade Potato Chips 2/3 cups toasted coconut (I toast mine on 1 potato low in a dry skillet for a few minutes) Salt and pepper (optional) 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons peanut butter Seasoning salt (optional) 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional) Olive oil (optional) 1/3 cup honey 1 teaspoon vanilla 1. Rinse off potato and dry.

2. Cut into very thin slices, around 1/8 to 1. Combine all ingredients in a medium 1/16 inch in thickness. bowl.

3. Lay slices out on a paper towel on a 2. Let chill in the refrigerator for about a microwave-safe plate. half hour.

4. Brush with olive oil or add salt, pepper 3. Shape balls of about one inch in size or seasonings if desired. out of the mixture.

5. Microwave for 5 minutes or until 4. Can be stored in an airtight container golden-brown. in the fridge for up to one week.

6. Let cool and enjoy.

Lunch combos

Friday, August 8, 2014 | Back to school | Page 5

Bag lunches have you in a pickle? Try one of these new combinations to spice lunch up! Feel free to mix and match to suit your tastes.

1 2

Peanut butter and jelly sandwich roll ups

Fresh fruit

1

Pasta salad

2

Fresh pea pods

Yogurt

3

Vegetable chips

3

1

Crackers, cheese and salami

1

2

Green and red pepper slices

2

3

Grapes

3

Pita pizza

Green salad

Celery sticks and peanut butter

Page 6 | Back to school | Friday, August 8, 2014

Get ready for college

Some tips to help you prep for your freshman year

Getting ready to go to a college or university can be stressful and aggravating. Use this list of tips to make sure you’ve got all you need squared away before your freshman year. classes will help prepare you for the fall — classes at college or university are a lot different than high school.

2. Apply for college on time.

“Better late than never” doesn’t apply in this instance. Every university has a different application deadline. For example, Minnesota State University, Mankato’s application deadline is June 1. Most community colleges accept applications all the time, but be sure to give ample time before the start of the semester for the application to be processed.

1.

Pass

all your classes.

This seems like a nobrainer, but it’s something that needs to be said, as a phenomenon called “senioritis” is common among high school seniors. It’s impossible to go to college without graduating high school, and keeping your motivation up during your last few months of

3. Apply for financial aid on time.

There are a few types of financial aid out there, such as scholarships and grants. However, as scholarships are awards and grants have specific requirements, most students need to apply for a student loan. Applying for a student loan is achieved by filling out the FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The federal deadline to fill out the FAFSA for the 2014-2015 school year is June 30, 2015, but the Minnesota deadline is 30 days after the term starts. It’s actually ideal to fill out a FAFSA before you even apply for universities. Also note that the FAFSA is free to fill out. Make sure to go to fafsa.ed.gov and not www.fafsa.com

— the latter is a professional help service for filling out the FAFSA, but the actual FAFSA website explains exactly how to fill it out and costs nothing.

4. Apply for scholarships (and grants, if you qualify.)

There are thousands of scholarships out there. There are a lot of general scholarships, and then some get more specific, even down to the level of strange — such as a scholarship for left-handed people or for teens who make the best prom ensemble out of duct tape. Never apply for a scholarship that makes you pay for an application. A good starting place to find scholarships is www. fastweb.com. You can also find scholarships through your high school and university. Grants are similar to scholarships in that they don’t need to be paid back, but they are granted based on need. Most grants, such as the popular Pell Grant, are awarded based on information inputted in to the FAFSA. In other words, if you complete the FAFSA, you’re good.

5. Take all required entrance exams.

Some colleges or universities might have special entrance or placement exams that need to be taken before enrollment, but this point is talking about either the ACT or the SAT, which is needed to apply to a university. Minnesota universities require the ACT, but some universities will accept an SAT score. There are three ACT test dates this fall and three next spring. The ACT will be given at Albert Lea High School on April 18, 2015, and June 13, 2015.

The ACT will be given for all six dates at Riverland Community College in Austin. To register for a test date, visit www.act.org. Also, it goes without saying, but make sure to study, and research the score needed for acceptance into university.

6. Save money.

For most students, college or university is the first time they are

living on their own. For university students living in a dorm, your biggest expense will probably be food and school supplies. If you have a meal plan, you’ll still need some money for food as well as funds available to do fun things with friends. It also helps to accrue a safety net of money in case an unfortunate, unexpected event happens. For university or community college students living in an apartment, saving money is of the utmost importance. Besides paying for food, gas and school supplies, you’ll also have some bills like rent, electricity and Internet. Being responsible with money will give you a peace of mind so you don’t have to worry about scrounging to pay bills every month.

7. Research, research, research!

It’s impossible to list everything a university- or college-bound freshman will need. Every school has different policies or deadlines. Maybe you’re attending a university that doesn’t require any entrance exams.

Maybe you’re going to a community college that has an application deadline. There are countless resources available online for incoming freshmen. Many resources are available at the Minnesota Office of Higher Education website, www.ohe.state.mn.us. If you’re not attending college or university in Minnesota, check out the higher education office website of the state that you’ll be moving to. Also, don’t forget about your college or university’s website — it can be a valuable resource to a new student.

8. Be confident.

One of the most important things you can do is stay confident. It’s okay to be nervous, because next fall will be one of your biggest life changes to date. Whether you’re going to a university, community college, technical school or performing arts school — or anything in between — confidence will help you succeed, meet new people and enjoy the exciting new chapter of your life.

Friday, August 8, 2014 | Back to school | Page 7

Universities

While university and college are interchangeable nouns in the United States, most four-year higher education institutions are called universities, and they house several colleges, such as a college of science, college of English, college of art and more.

Universities offer degrees in either a bachelor of arts degree or a bachelor of science degree. Most of the time, a bachelor of arts degree is a degree in a liberal arts major, while a bachelor of science degree is a degree in one of the sciences or mathematics.

However, every university is a little bit different. For example, some universities offer a bachelor of arts degree or a bachelor of science degree in every major; the difference is whether you have a minor (for a bachelor of science) or a two-year language proficiency (for a bachelor of arts).

These degrees usually take four years to complete, but students can get ahead by attending extra classes in the summer or getting a head start in high school.

Many high schools offer dual credit, AP or college courses for students these days, and taking these classes can save a lot of money down the road.

Some universities offer even higher education, such as programs for master’s or doctorate degrees. Some also have separate professional schools, such as law school or medical school.

Universities are larger than community and junior colleges and usually are typified as having large class sizes. However, class sizes in university usually get smaller as the classes get more specific to a major.

Many universities also focus on scholarly or scientific research and offer opportunities for students to get involved first hand.

Community and junior colleges

Community and junior colleges offer programs for associate degrees as well as programs for students to quickly enter their field, such as programs in nursing.

The biggest difference between a community and junior college is that community colleges are public and junior colleges are usually private. The two institutions are about the same size, which is usually much smaller than a university.

A degree from a community or junior college usually takes two years to complete, but it’s possible to get an associate degree before graduating high school, if the high school offers enough dual credit courses or a student does post-secondary enrollment option for their junior and senior years.

Many students begin their college careers at a community or junior college — since admission is more open and tuition costs are much lower — and transfer to a university after two years.

If you choose to transfer from a

Community colleges are usually smaller than universities. Provided community college to a university, it is important to check that the university will accept all of the community college credits and that the credits transfer correctly.

Some community colleges have “articulation agreements” with universities to ensure that credits will transfer towards a bachelor’s degree. Riverland Community College has a long list of articulation agreements that shows which programs will correctly transfer to which universities.

For example, Riverland’s criminal justice corrections program will correctly transfer to Metro State University, Southwest Minnesota State University, Concordia University and Minnesota State University, Moorhead.

Just like the dichotomy between private and public institutions, popular culture likes to downplay two-year institutions in favor of four-year institutions.

Again, the most important thing for students is to choose a school that best fits their needs.

Technical and vocational schools

Many universities, like the University of Minnesota, have many buildings and are spread out on a large campus.

Technical and vocational schools are another type of higher education, but ones that are not often talked about in popular culture. Technical schools teach the science behind an occupation and vocation schools focus on skills needed to do an occupation.

Some technical or vocational schools have their own building, while others are housed within community colleges.

These programs are usually shorter than a two-year degree.

The differences in higher education

The completion of a technical or vocational program can result in a diploma or certificate. You may also need to take a licensing exam or become an apprentice before you can practice in the field.

Riverland Community College, among many other colleges across the state, offers technical and vocational programs such as massage therapy and automotive service technology, among others.

Public vs. private

All higher education in the United States is either publicly or privately funded. Most state schools, like the universities in the MnSCU system, are public schools that are funded or operated by state and local governments.

Private schools — like Gustavus Adolphus College, Hamline University or even the McNally Smith College of Music — are run by religious dominations or private foundations, or they may be a for-profit business.

Public schools usually offer a lower rate of tuition for in-state students versus out-of-state students. Private schools receive less or no money from the government, so in-state and out-of-state tuition are usually the same amount, but the cost is often much higher than a public school.

The important thing to remember is that a private school is no better than a public school or vice versa. Choosing a school that fits your needs academically, socially, spiritually or fiscally is what matters most in selecting where to go for higher education.

The onset of senior year is difficult enough with graduation, exams and trying to make the last year of high school the best it can be.

Throwing tough decisions about where to attend higher education into the mix can be stressful and overwhelming.

There are a lot of choices out there when it comes to higher education: Should you go to a university or college? Should you go into a trade? What about a public school versus a private school?

As every student has different needs, making an educated choice about where to attend higher education is important. The Web site for the Federal Student Aid Office breaks down the different types of higher education as well as the difference between a private and public institution.

Page 8 | Back to school | Friday, August 8, 2014

10 Study tips for success If you have trouble studying, consider following some of these tips to sharpen your studying muscles.

3. Don’t procrastinate.

Really, it’s just not worth the stress.

1. Study when you’re tired. Reviewing what you need to know right before going to bed is ideal because the brain strengthens new memories before going to sleep. Just don’t leave all of your study to do right before going to sleep.

4. Organize. Use a way to organize your notes that works for you, whether it’s writing them out on note cards, color coding them or typing them.

6. Snack smart. Different foods can help fuel brain activity, such as apples, walnuts and blueberries.

8. Turn off distractions.

Phones, tablets, televisions and even some music can be distracting when trying to study.

9. Have some caffeine. The caffeine in a cup of coffee or tea can be the perfect amount to keep you alert.

2. Relax. Aromatherapy using essential oils such as lavender and rosemary can help you calm down before a big test.

5. Reward yourself. Set small goals to study chunks at a time and once you reach each goal, treat yourself with a snack, checking social media or whatever makes you happy.

7. Plan your studying out.

Make a plan for what needs to be studied and how you’ll do it. Diving right into the material can be stressful and overwhelming.

10. Make connections. If you need to memorize information, connect it with a song, poem, experience, mental picture or even make up a funny story to keep it in your head.