Higher Education Guide 2017

Higher Education G uide

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Higher Education Guide 2017

HIGHER EDUCATION GUIDE | COLLEGE BASICS

20 Things to Know Every student who attends a university desires a “successful” college experience. While successful means different things to different people, there are certain pieces of advice that are universal.

Here is what you need to know.

1. The television lied. Dorm rooms are nothing like Dawson’s Creek and Gilmore Girls. They are more like matchstick boxes with scary use of vertical space.

2. Always get the warranty.

Even if you think you won’t need it.

You probably will.

3. Cheating isn’t worth the risk.

This applies to tests and relationships. You will get caught. Also, the instinct to cheat is telling you something. Listen.

4. Food is expensive. All food. Be forewarned. Use the meal plan.

5. You will have no money. You have no idea how much living with your parents saves you.

6. Learning where the “specials” are can fund your social life. Figure out where the food specials are in town and make the rounds for at least half the cost.

7. You have the time. Everyone has to manage their time. It’s all in how you use it. Own how you choose to use your time. It’s a life skill.

12. You will get lonely.

8. Avoid extensions. They breed laziness. Plus, procrastinators will 13. You will get bored. always procrastinate, no matter the deadline.

14. Plan communication with your parents. Set up a weekly 9. You don’t have to buy all your time to chat so they can catch up books. Learn which books to buy on your college life. and which to borrow or rent.

15. Companies are already look10. Don’t fully depend on your ing at you. Keep this in mind as advisor. Ultimately, it’s up to you you post about Friday night on soto fully understand where you are in cial media. your program.

16. Don’t be one of those stu11. Go to the review sessions. dents whose parents fund their This is where professors reveal what entire existence. Find a job to at you should focus on (read: what will least make your own spending be on the exam). money.

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17. A scholarship is like a job.

Athletic, academic — it doesn’t matter. Treat it with the respect it deserves.

18. Study abroad if at all possible.

19. University health centers are one of the best healthcare options for the price. Take advantage of $6 teeth cleanings while you have them.

20. Get to the gym. You won’t want to. You will make excuses. But you have access to state-of-the-art equipment that, once you’ve graduated, you won’t have without an expensive gym membership.

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HIGHER EDUCATION GUIDE | MONEY

Financial Aid Questions

Your goal should be to try to finish your degree with as little debt as possible. While at least some amount of student loans might be unavoidable for most students in the U.S., you can take steps to decrease the amount.

Your financial aid office will be able to help you find programs to which you are eligible to apply. Asking the following questions will help you understand and prepare for the costs of a college education.

What is a FAFSA? change during your tenure at the university.

FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Every student should fill out one if they How much debt do students have when are interested in receiving financial aid. they graduate from this university?

And what percentage of students graduate withWhat is the whole cost of the university? out debt? This can be a good indicator of your Not just tuition and room and board, but every- own potential debt accumulation. thing it takes for a student to live, eat, sleep and attend college in one year. Costs outside of tu- Are there any tuition payment plans? ition can add up fast.

This could make the difference in whether you even take out loans. You might not be able to How much have costs increased over the swing the upfront cost, but could you afford a last five years? monthly installment?

You can’t just be concerned about the current year. This also is likely the amount of time it will What are the deadlines for applying for fitake you to finish your degree and will give you nancial aid? a comparable look at how the rate of costs could It helps to know for sure. Assuming incorrectly 4

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Higher Education Guide 2017

could wreck a whole year.

What academic requirements or other condition are attached to financial aid eligibility?

Be clear from the beginning not only what you need to do to receive money, but what you need to do to keep it.

Is there additional financial aid available?

Don’t assume you know what’s available to you.

You never know what you might qualify for.

Also, don’t forget about the aid awarded to students who end up choosing another university.

That aid could now be up for grabs. If you don’t ask, you don’t receive.

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Higher Education Guide 2017

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Higher Education Guide 2017

HIGHER EDUCATION GUIDE | ACADEMICS

Choosing a Major

Choosing a major can be overwhelming because it feels as if you are deciding on the rest of your life. Remember that college is about exploring your interests, so take the pressure off yourself.

Here are a few pieces of advice to help you navigate your way to your college major.

Dare to be undeclared While you might think you need to know what you want to study as

soon as you start college (or even before you get there) remember that college is the place to discover all your options.

You have many required classes to take, so you are fine studying for a year or more before choosing a major. Fill your electives with classes that sound interesting. This allows you to envision many different paths for yourself.

If you do, be ready to change things up. Approximately 80 percent of college students in the United States change their major at least once, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

That doesn’t mean you have wasted your time. Every class adds value to your education, and you never know what might end up being useful down the road.

Know What’s Important To You Test it out They say money can’t buy happiness, Before you decide you are “pre- but it can provide security and peace med,” test it out. Take a few science of mind. See if you can balance doing and math classes and make sure what you love with your future earnyou don’t hate it. ing potential. If you envision a cerThe Brookings Register

tain lifestyle for yourself, make sure your chosen major can provide it.

Your major is not the end According to the United States Department of Labor, the average young professional switches jobs every three years and the average person changes career fields at least two or three times in their lifetime.

Even most graduate programs and professional degrees are seeking applicants with diverse educational backgrounds. Just because you get a degree in one thing doesn’t mean you won’t have a profession in something else. //

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HIGHER EDUCATION GUIDE | LIFE SKILLS

More Than a Degree College is about much more than earning a degree. You will be learning skills that are essential to your success past college and making lifelong memories.

College is a time to learn, but it is also a time of growth.

Here are five must-have experiences you should enjoy and five must-have skills you should develop before graduation day.

Experiences These experiences will not only enrich your college experience, but will serve as lessons you will take with you, helping you long after you’ve graduated.

• Reading as much as possible.

Anything. All the time.

• Volunteering. Volunteer experience does look good on a resume, but it also is about being a part of something that is bigger than yourself. Find a cause you care about and give back.

• Getting work experience. Jobs teach responsibility. They provide us with an income and show us that we can collaborate with people of all different back grounds and personalities.

• Studying abroad (if possible). It • Understanding how you work • Figuring out what your personal combines travel with studying. best. This allows you to create an brand is. Companies are And there is almost always a way effective routine so you can easily constantly screening prospective to obtain at least a few course set and achieve your goals. employees. How do you want to credits for it, if not an entire look? Google yourself and see • Taking at least one class just semester.

• Learning how to make your what pops up. This is what because. Because you’ve always money work for you. Know how companies see. been interested in modern Skills to set up and stick to a budget. architecture, because you wouldn’t No matter what you majored in, This might seem like an easy • Incidental technical skills. Photo mind knowing a bit more about some skills are universal. task, but it will help you editing might not be particularly drawing, because the astronomy understand financial language, as relevant to your career field, but class takes a field trip into the • Strong people skills. No matter well as the options available to it comes in handy in many jobs. desert in November and it sounds what your profession, you will you later on when you want to You’ll appreciate it in your awesome. Just because. need to network to be successful. buy a car or a home. personal life as well.

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Higher Education Guide 2017

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Higher Education Guide 2017