Checking your credit score can be done for free in most cases, and may only cost a bit in others. If you do so for free, you have access to one report from each credit bureau once a year.
Instructions
1. You can request a free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com. The site allows you to view and print your complete credit report free of charge, online. The site is sponsored by the three major credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. You can only do this one time per year, however.
2. Enroll into a credit report monitoring system, such as freecreditreport.com. Credit monitoring companies allow you to receive your credit score for free when you pay a monthly fee to have the service monitor your credit report. The program does cost some money, but companies like this help keep your identity from being stolen.
3. You can also get free credit report from myFICO. The site offers a free trial for services that give you your Equifax FICO score. FICO scores are used by the largest U.S. banks to determine whether your are suitable to lend to.
Enrolling in a postbac premed program is a fast track to switching careers.
Postbaccalaureate premedical programs are designed for people who wish to attend medical school but have graduated from college in an unrelated subject or have failed in a previous application. Postbac programs enable such individuals to complete the necessary academic courses in science and mathematics, improve their GPAs and get help with the medical school application process. Postbac premed programs typically last between one and two years; they're offered by a range of institutions.
Research
Research the programs. The quality of postbac premed courses can vary. Gather as much information as possible about the programs you are thinking of applying for. Look at their success rate in getting graduates into medical school. John Hopkins University, for example, boasts that almost all of their graduates receive placement at medical, nursing, dentistry or osteopathic schools. If possible, choose a postbac premed course at an institution that has direct links with a medical school, if possible. This will not guarantee you a place at the school, but the postbac course is likely to prepare you well for the specific requirements of that medial school.
Education
Hold a bachelor's degree. Medical school is a postgraduate education, and candidates are expected to have completed undergraduate study. As the purpose of the postbac premed is to prepare candidates for medical school, the undergraduate degree you hold does not have to be in a relevant subject, such as science.
You'll need good undergraduate grades. The eligibility criteria for postbac premed programs will vary between courses, but most require a GPA of 3.0 or higher. However, the rigor of the curriculum studied at bachelor's level may be taken into account, and students with less that a 3.0 GPA may thus be admitted.
Other Routes
Check whether the program you're considering has any specified accessibility routes. These may be designed to assist candidates from groups underrepresented in the field of medicine or who are from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. These routes may be useful for candidates who fit the criteria and don't quite make the GPA requirement.
Volunteer
Volunteer at a medical facility. Postbac premed programs look very favorably on applicants who can demonstrate their dedication to the subject. Volunteering is a way to do this.
Documentation
Prepare your application well before the deadline. You will need to source official documents to send with your application. Typically these include documentation confirming the date you graduated from high school, confirmation of your bachelor's degree, and transcripts from any other tertiary education your have undertaken.
Apply
Apply to your chosen program before the deadline date. For September intakes, the deadline is usually around March. You will usually be able to apply online or by post.
Extras
Submit any material that may improve your chances of acceptance. The application may not explicitly ask for letters of recommendation, but you should include them if you feel they strengthen your application. Also, detail any extracurricular activities you have undertaken that demonstrate your commitment to the field of medicine.
Tags: medical school, postbac premed, premed programs, your application, bachelor degree, before deadline, field medicine
Online computer classes provide a convenient alternative for students seeking a degree or for continuing education.
Whether you are working to earn a computer science degree or you just want to brush up on your computing skills, online computing courses are available to help you.
Types of Online Computer Classes
Some online computer classes are led in real-time by a live instructor in a virtual classroom. In other classes, students work on their own but can ask their instructor questions via email or message boards. A third type of class is tutorial-based, with no instructor interaction.
Benefits
Online computer courses are flexible and convenient, ideal for students who cannot attend traditional classes. Students can often complete coursework from home on their own time.
Disadvantages of Online Computer Classes
One drawback to online computer classes is that students feel isolated and become confused about assignments. In addition, students who are not self-motivated have a hard time staying on task.
Who Uses Online Computer Classes
Professionals take online computer classes that will lead to professional advancement. Businesses use these classes to train employees. Computer novices seek to develop skills they need for work or social interaction.
Earning a Computer Degree Online
In 2006 to 2007, 66% percent of colleges offered online courses to 12.2 million students. Students seeking a computer science degree through online courses should check their school's accreditation on the U.S. Department of Education website.
There are a number of tax deductions that college students and parents of dependents can use to help bring down their taxable income. Scholarships, qualifying loans and tuition are just a few of the things that a student can deduct. For a student to claim a deduction, generally no one else can claim them as a dependent. However, a parent claiming a child as a dependent can enjoy some college deductions.
Loan Deductions
If you are a student, you can deduct up to $2,500 on the interest of a qualifying student loan as long as no one claims you on their taxes and you are not married and filing separately. The income limit is $70,000 if single and $140,000 if married. The student loan must be used for education expenses.
Work-Related Education
As a student, you can deduct the cost of work-related education as long as your employer has not reimbursed you and the education is either required by law or significantly improves your job skills.
Tuition
Parents of dependents and students who are not dependents may qualify for a deduction of up to $4,000 for tuition and fees.
Eligibility
In order to qualify for these tax deductions, a student must have either a high-school diploma or GED and be attending at least one college course.
Ineligible
Room and board, transportation, medical expenses and insurance do not qualify as tax deductions.
Preschoolers can show grandparents appreciation with gifts.
Celebrate the bond of love between children and their grandparents by helping the youngsters in your life surprise their grandparents with a gift. Birthdays and holidays present the opportunity for children to practice thoughtfulness with a gift for Grandma or Grandpa, but preschoolers don't have to wait for a specific calendar date to show their love. Young children can make a gift to delight their grandparents anytime the spirit of giving strikes.
Family Collage
Make a collage from family photos that your child can glue to a sturdy background to give as present to her grandparents. Gather 10 to 20 family photos, and give your preschooler a piece of 8-by-10 in. cardstock and a glue stick. Let her glue the photos to the card stock, overlapping each picture until the whole piece is covered. When the glue is dry, place the collage in a frame to give to Grandma.
Home Movie
Use your digital camera to make a home movie starring your preschooler. Let your child choose his favorite outfit and accessories for the production. Begin the movie with a few words from your child, describing his love for his grandparents. Let your child's skills and abilities shine in the rest of the movie. Tape him reciting the ABCs, riding his bike or singing a song. Load the recording on to the computer, and burn it on to a DVD to give to Grandpa.
Cozy Scarf
Help your preschooler make a scarf to warm Grandma's neck on frosty days. Buy a yard of a solid-colored fleece (found at your local craft or fabric store). Cut a 10-in. wide strip of the fleece for the scarf. Let your preschooler use scissors to snip fringe on both ends of the strip of fleece. Give your child glitter-glue pens---available where children's art supplies are sold---to decorate the ends of the scarf above the fringe. For a washable option, use fabric paint pens instead of glitter-glue.
Gift of Time
Sit down with your preschooler to discuss some of the activities that her grandparents enjoy. Decide on a special activity that your child can share with her grandparents. Consider a trip to the zoo or a museum. If your child's grandparents would enjoy it, invite them to a homemade lunch at your home or a visit to bake cookies together. Make a coupon to invite your preschooler's grandparents to share in the activity and present it as a gift.
Tags: your child, your preschooler, their grandparents, family photos, strip fleece, that your
Sculpture is a wonderful way to express your creative side. If you wish to study further and get an MFA in sculpture, it can assist you in finding teaching jobs, peers with which to learn and grow and mentors that can help you network and find studios. Read on to learn get an MFA in sculpture.
Instructions
1. Obtain an undergraduate degree in art or the humanities. An art form like sculpting requires a concentration on technique. Learning these things outside or inside class will be key to getting admitted to a graduate program.
2. Hone your skills with sculpting, and prepare a professional portfolio. Because sculpting is done with many materials, and in many sizes, a good quality portfolio with professional pictures of your art work will suffice.
3. Search through different programs. Instead of basing your decision on locale or ease of admission, look for a school that will give you what you need to grow as an artist. Look for how much studio space each student is given, and how many different genres you can study.
4. Take the GRE. Not every school will require this test, but it is never a bad idea to take it for the ones that do. In order to get accepted into an MFA program in sculpture you must have all of your materials ready for submission well ahead of time.
5. Apply to different schools. You may want to keep the number of schools to a minimum, but it may be harder to get into an MFA program in sculpture than some other studies. Any art program is going to have a lot of competition.
Tags: into program, into program sculpture, program sculpture
Abbreviations should be used sparingly in formal writing, but they do have their place. Here are some tips to use them properly.
Instructions
1. Use abbreviations that your audience will know and understand. Do not make up your own version of abbreviations or abbreviate whenever you feel like it. Also, do not abbreviate a word simply because you think it is too long.
2. Refer to a standard writing style book for specific rules or questions. Any bookstore will carry a writing style guide that offers abbreviating help in MLA, APA, CMS, CE and other styles. Many online guides are also available. For example, if you need to abbreviate in AP style, an Internet search will produce several good sources.
3. Abbreviate titles. If you use a person's full name in writing, you are permitted to abbreviate their title. Mr. Edward Smith. Mrs. Regina Worthington. Samantha Jones, M.D. If you do not use their full name, you cannot abbreviate the title! For example, you must either say Professor Smith or Prof. John Smith. Another example: Representative Jones or Rep. Matthew Jones.
4. Utilize abbreviation when referring to people, organizations, countries and corporations. A good general rule is to think of FSS. If something is Familiar, Simple or Standard, you are safe to abbreviate it and not cause confusion with your audience. Some examples of safe abbreviations when writing: MLB (Major League Baseball), GOP (Grand Old Party, US Republican Party), NPO (Non-Profit Organization), NBC (National Broadcasting Company), USA (United States of America), JFK (John F. Kennedy) and GE (General Electric). Do not abbreviate an organization that only a small audience would recognize, like THCWFF (Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival).
5. Shorten your text by abbreviating dates and numbers. There are many accepted abbreviations for dates (B.C. meaning "Before Christ" or A.M. meaning "morning") and numbers (No. meaning "number" or $ for dollar amount). However, it is not acceptable to use an abbreviation as a substitution! For example, this sentence is not correct. "We went fishing in the A.M." The correct sentence would be, "We went fishing in the morning." Or, also correct: "We went fishing at 8 a.m."
6. Clarify, don't confuse. The purpose of abbreviation is to make writing more efficient and clear, not harder to read. Read your writing aloud. If your abbreviation makes the sentence foggier, don't use it.
Tags: went fishing, correct went, correct went fishing, full name, writing style, your audience
An important goal for many parents is to teach their children good morals. It can be difficult to know go about this since morality is a subjective concept. What is morally good to one person may be morally bad to another. It's also important to teach the information in a way that children understand and retain. By understanding what morals are most important to you, you are more capable of passing on the message to your children.
Instructions
1. Decide what you want to use as your moral compass. Is it some type of religious doctrine or the laws set by your government? Decide which morals are important to you, and make your children aware of them. Some parents keep a large list of rules in the house, like "Be nice to others" and "Always tell the truth." Make sure to let you kids know why these specific moral guidelines are important to your family.
2. Set an example for your children by following your own moral guidelines. According to Advice For Parenting, morals are a learned behavior. Children observe your behavior from a young age, and are more likely to follow your actions than your words. If helpfulness is a moral you want your child to exemplify, then you should let your child see you volunteering in the community or help a neighbor bring in their groceries.
3. Choose books and movies for your child that highlight characters with good morals. It can help your child to have a positive role model, according to My Child Health. Dora the Explorer and Sesame Street are two examples of shows that feature characters trying to help others. Focus on the Family is a company that produces children's movies and books that put emphasis on religious morals.
4. Discuss morals with your child when he misbehaves. Let her know what she did wrong and what he could have done instead. For example, if you see your child hit another child because his toy was taken away, you should explain why sharing is important and why violence is wrong. My Child Health also advises that parents allow children to ask questions about morals, so they can better understand right from wrong.
Tags: your child, your children, Child Health, example your, good morals
A common misconception is that a computer architect is someone that uses a computer instead of a drawing board to create magnificent skyscrapers and luxurious apartment buildings. A computer architect is in fact someone that creates and designs a computer’s fundamental operational structure.
Instructions
1. Learn everything there is to know about computers and their basic design as well as their BIOS programs. Learn what makes the good ones really good and what makes the bad ones so difficult. The more you know before entering a computer architecture program the better. Don’t forget to spend some time studying microprocessors.
2. Start getting some formal knowledge. Just because you have spent several years studying the basic design of several different types of computers doesn’t mean that a computer company will hire you as a computer architect. The best thing you can do to further your career as a computer architect is to enroll in some computer design workshops and tutorials. A quick Internet search will provide you with a list of upcoming events and tell you which computer company is hosting the workshop. Some to these workshops are free, and many of them can be completed online. In addition to learning more about basic computer architecture these tutorials and workshops are an excellent opportunity to meet some people who might be interested in hiring you.
3. Try to get employed in a job (either part or full time) that allows you to work with computers on a daily basis.
4. Start investigating colleges and trade schools. In today’s world of techno geeks and computer geniuses it is nearly impossible to get hired as a computer architect if you don’t have a college degree. Most of the people that are perusing a degree in computer architecture either get a two year associates degree or a four year bachelors degree. Some enterprising soles continue their education and get a Masters or PhD in computer architecture; many of these students are later offered lucrative teaching contracts.
5. Don’t assume that just because you have a degree in computer architecture that you no longer have to study. Computers and the technology used to create them is constantly improving, that means that if you want to keep your job with a computer firm you are going to have to keep up to date on all of the changes.
A letter of intent, most often known as a cover letter, is an integral part of the application process for any professional position. This letter is sent to a potential employer along with a resume or curriculum vitae and portfolio at the beginning of the process. The letter of intent introduces you to your potential employer. It describes your skills and past experience and why you are pursuing the job. The closing is essential for a lasting impression.
Instructions
1. Include in the last paragraph a thank you for the person taking the time to read your letter and consider your application and resume.
2. List the primary way to contact you, what the best times are and how you are willing to proceed with the process. State that you are willing to meet with the employer or follow any conditions they deem necessary to proceed with the application process.
3. Express your gratitude for the opportunity to apply and reiterate briefly any important points from the rest of the letter. Mention that you look forward to hearing from them.
4. Close the letter with "Sincerely," and follow this with your printed name and your signature.
5. List below your signature your name, address, phone numbers and e-mail address.
Tags: letter intent, application process, potential employer, proceed with, your signature
Debt management is an important part of personal financial planning, as it can be a useful way to increase your purchasing power and build a credit history, which will help you obtain financing in the future. However, too much debt can create a significant financial burden that can be difficult to overcome.
Instructions
1. Review the master promissory note you signed with your lender when you initially took out your loan. If you have credit-card debt, the master promissory note is the same as the terms of agreement for the credit card, telling you how much principal you owe, what the interest rate on your debt is, and how long you have to repay the loan.
2. Use Microsoft Excel to determine the monthly payment you need to make on the debt. Enter the following formula into a cell in Excel: =PMT(rate,nper,pv). "Rate " is the interest rate you owe on the debt, "nper" is the number of payments, and "pv" is the amount of principal you owe.
For example, suppose you have a $50,000 loan with a 6 percent interest rate that requires you to make monthly payments, and the length of the loan is 10 years. In this case, your monthly payment equals =PMT(6%/12,120,50000), or $555. Note that you must enter "6%/12" for "rate" in the formula because 6 percent is the annual interest rate, and you are required to make monthly payments.
3. Copy your calculated monthly payment down 120 rows (one for each monthly payment you are required to make) in the same column in Excel. Multiply the monthly interest rate (in this case 6%/12 equals .5 percent) by the beginning balance to determine how much of your first payment goes to paying off interest. In this case, the amount of interest you are paying in the first payment is $50,000 multiplied by .5 percent, or $250, while the amount of principal you are paying off in your first payment is $555 minus $250, or $305. Subtract this amount of principal from the beginning balance to determine the ending balance of principal after you have made the first payment. In this example, the ending balance is equal to $50,000 minus $305, or $49,695.
4. Copy these calculations down the 120 rows in Excel. The last row should reflect an ending balance of zero, since you will pay off the entire amount of debt in 10 years, or 120 monthly payments.
As you pay off principal each month, the amount of your payment that goes towards interest declines. This spreadsheet allows you to determine how much interest you still owe on the loan, which illustrates how much money you would save by paying off the loan early.
If you are looking to relocate to Camden, Arkansas for work, school or a change of pace, a rental house may be exactly what you need. Or you may already live in the surrounding areas and are looking for something cheaper or more convenient. If you wish to find a rental house in Camden, Arkansas, here are a few simple steps you can take to make your search easier.
Instructions
1. Determine your family's needs. If you are looking for a home by yourself, you may desire a small 1 bedroom home with a tiny yard and not much upkeep. However, if you have a family, size, location and yard could be important. Discuss with your family the different amenities you all would like to have. A large yard will be great for the family pets, backyard swimming pool and BBQ parties.
2. Take a trip to Camden, Arkansas. A lot of homes that are for rent by the owner may not take out ads on their properties. They may just put up a "for rent" sign. You may be able to find less expensive rental houses if you drive around different neighborhoods. These will probably be less expensive because the owner is not spending money trying to rent it quickly.
3. Check local newspapers. The town's population is fairly small, so only one newspaper is directly related to Camden (see Resources below). However, you may be able to find more newspapers in the surrounding areas. Or call the Bargain Leader at (870) 836-3733 and Shopper's Guide at (870) 836-3022 where you may get information about rental houses in the area.
4. Visit online rental services. These websites offer a chance to view and explore houses in Camden, Arkansas. They offer a simple search of the type of rental properties you are looking for. You can put in how many beds and baths you wish to view. You can choose location, pets and other amenities. Realtor.com and Yahoo! Real Estate can assist you in finding exactly what you are looking for (see Resources below). Mac's Rental Property, at (870) 863-8407, can also help locate houses in the Camden area.
Tags: Camden Arkansas, able find, exactly what, houses Camden, less expensive, rental houses, Resources below
The annual cost of a private high school is a significant expense, often as much as the annual cost of college. Families that intend to bear this expense should budget and plan for it well in advance. If the student plans to live at school, the cost of room, board, travel and spending money will often be double the expense of tuition.
Instructions
1. Apply for financial aid in the form of scholarships and student loans concurrently with your child's application for admission. This is generally required by private high schools and will allow you to assess your ability to pay when you receive the student's acceptance letter and financial aid determination.
2. Make arrangements well in advance if you expect to borrow from a bank to help pay for a private high school. Using a home equity line may give you a lower interest rate and easier repayment terms than other student loan products. However, it may also take several weeks to set in place.
3. Contact the school as soon as your child is accepted for admission, or even earlier if you wish, to find out about payment options. These may include lump-sum payments or monthly installment payments.
4. Send the school your tuition deposit immediately upon acceptance to hold the student's place. This is ordinarily a relatively small amount, but large enough that it allows the school to determine which admitted students will attend so that it can offer additional openings to waiting list students.
5. Deduct your tuition deposit plus the value of any scholarships or student loans to determine the remaining balance that you will have to pay for a private high school.
6. Pay the cost of private high school in lump-sum payments if you have sufficient access to cash. Usually a private high school requires a lump-sum payment annually in July or August and again in December or January. Making lump-sum payments will save the cost of an installment or handling charge.
7. Establish an installment payment plan through the private high school to spread the payments over the course of the year. Most private high schools contract with an outside financial agency to allow parents to make nine or ten equal monthly installment payments.
8. Budget for the typical ancillary costs of private high school, which may include the cost of books, student supplies, athletic gear and clothing. For boarding school students, add the cost of room and board, travel to and from school and incidental living expenses.
9. Establish a student account for your child if the school he will attend is a boarding school. This will allow the student to withdraw a weekly amount for incidental expenses at the student store and snack bar. You may include an extra amount, or set up a separate account, for expenses at the student bookstore.
Tags: private high, high school, private high school, lump-sum payments, private high school
Tuition and fees at top Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs can exceed $100,000 for the two-year duration it normally takes to earn a degree. While students can finance their educations with loans or government financing programs, they can also apply for grants sponsored by private foundations, non-profit organizations and other entities.
Richard Metzler Scholarship Fund
The Association of Management Consulting Firms manages the Richard Metzler Scholarship Fund for MBA students who are interested in careers in management consulting. Students must show a commitment to the field and demonstrate leadership, community service involvement and academic excellence. Applicants must submit a recommendation letter, an essay about management consulting and a plan of their career goals. Two grants of $2500 each are awarded. One is for students studying in the United States and the other is for a business student studying abroad.
Attn: Richard Metzler Scholarship Application
Association of Management Consulting Firms
370 Lexington Ave, Suite 2209
New York, NY 10017
212-262 3055
amcf.org
The National Black MBA Association
The National Black MBA Association awards scholarships ranging from $1000 to $15,000 to minority students enrolled in an accredited MBA program in the U.S. or Canada. Students must submit a resume, an essay, have an excellent academic record, demonstrate leadership skills and be involved in community service. Awardees must participate in NBMBAA activities such as local chapter events.
National Black MBA Association
180 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400
Chicago, Illinois 60601
312-236-2622
nbmbaa.org
The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
Hungarian immigrants Paul and Daisy Soros established a fund to help first-generation American students finance their graduate school educations. Thirty students are chosen each year and receive a maintenance grant of $25,000 and a tuition grant for one-half the cost of their graduate programs. Applicants must submit an application online, submit two essays, a resume, three recommendation letters, a transcript and documentation showing evidence of their status as the child of immigrants.
Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
400 West 59th Street
New York, NY 10019
212-547-6926
pdsoros.org
American Woman's Society of Certified Public Accountants
The American Woman's Society of Certified Public Accountants awards a grant to business students who study accounting, including MBA students who concentrate in the field. Applicants must sit for the Certified Public Accountant exam within one year of receiving the award. Requirements include a 3.0 grade point average, an essay and U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status. The award covers the Becker CPA Review course, which is valued at $2,995.
American Woman's Society of Certified Public Accountants
136 S. Keowee Street
Dayton, OH 45402
800-297-2721
awscpa.org
School-based Grants
Graduate schools may offer administer grants sponsored by corporations or alumni. School-specific grant awards are often based on factors like financial need, leadership, community service and other factors. Students should contact the school's financial aid office to learn about the eligibility requirements for these grants.
Tags: Certified Public, American Woman, American Woman Society, Applicants must, Black Association
International relations studies foreign affairs and issues among nations, international bodies and non-governmental organizations. It is an interdisciplinary field of study that draws from political science, history, economics, sociology, public administration, and sociology. Students of international affairs study world economic relations, terrorism, diplomacy, international development, global ecology and much more. In 2008, the Foreign Policy Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to greater understanding of world affairs, ranked the top graduate programs in international relations in the United States.
American University School of International Service (SIS)
Located in Washington, D.C., American University's SIS is the largest school of international relations in the United States. The school's interdisciplinary approach to world affairs allows it to offer a wider range of graduate degrees than other programs in international relations. SIS boasts more than a dozen graduate degree tracks, allowing students to specialize in regional studies, global environmental politics, international development, economic relations, conflict resolution, and American foreign policy, among other areas. In addition, the school offers dual master's degrees that combine international relations with business, teaching, law, and theological studies. SIS's location in the nation's capital provides ready access to internships and other opportunities in the federal government's foreign policy establishment.
John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
For the aspiring professional in international development and relief of global poverty, Harvard's Kennedy School of Government is the place to be. The school's newest degree program is a two-year course of study leading to a Master of Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID). Harvard describes the degree as economics-centered, with rigorous training in policy and quantitative methods. The program is designed for men and women interested in careers in international development rather than for aspiring academics.
New York University Center for Global Affairs
NYU's Center for Global Affairs offers a Master of Science in Global Affairs. The school's faculty includes international lawyers, journalists specializing in world affairs, and senior professionals from non-governmental organizations. In addition to the master's degree, NYU offers a rigorous certificate program in global affairs for working professionals who wish to expand their knowledge of international issues.
The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
With campuses in Washington, D.C.; Bologna, Italy; and Nanjing, China, SAIS allows students to study international relations in an international setting. The school's Master of Arts in international relations requires two years of study, including study of a foreign language. SAIS also has a Master of International Public Policy degree geared toward professionals in business, government and journalism who wish to undertake intensive study in world affairs.
Honorable Mentions
Other top international relations programs cited by the Foreign Policy Association include the following: the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University; Stanford University; Tufts University; the University of California, San Diego; and the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Tags: international relations, world affairs, Global Affairs, international development, American University
The Automotive Training Centre trains students to become certified auto mechanics.
Trade schools allow students to study a specialized or technical field and enter an in-demand job. Quebec has several trade schools, many of which are located in Montreal, its largest city. Because Quebec is a French-speaking province, many of its schools offer programs in both French and English.
Automotive Training Centre
The Automotive Training Centre has three locations and online courses. It offers instructors with several years' experience, hand-on training, and hundreds of hours of real shop training with current equipment and technology. At the Quebec campus, students can receive training to become certified auto mechanics. Students must complete three levels of training that consists of 6,000 hours total. Students also must pass a written examination for certification in Quebec. Students interested in working in other Canadian provinces must receive the Red Seal Certification, which requires 9,720 hours of work-related experience. The school claims that 96 percent of its graduates are employed as auto mechanics.
Automotive Training Centre
7555 Henri Bourassa East
Montreal, QC H1E 1N9, Canada
514-725-6026
autotrainingcentre.com
LaSalle College
LaSalle College, a private English and French school, offers programs in fashion, hotel management and tourism, computer science, management and social sciences. Students who study the fashion trade, for instance, can focus on fashion design and fashion marketing. Students can graduate with a diploma of collegial studies, which allows them to pursue university studies. Students interested in hotel management and tourism can study food service management, tourism, hotel management, professional cooking and more. The college also offers online courses and degrees in interior design, administrative assistant, fashion marketing and multimedia.
LaSalle College
2000 Ste-Catherine Ouest
Montreal, QC H3H 2T2, Canada
514-939-2006
collegelasalle.com
Rosemount Technology Centre
Funded and accredited by the Quebec Ministry of Education, the Rosemount Technology Centre offers full-time day programs and no tuition fees for the following programs: automated systems in electromechanics, cabinetmaking, computer graphics, furniture finishing, industrial drafting, industrial machine operations, machining techniques, numerical-control machine tool operation and printing and digital layout. The cabinetmaking program also offers evening classes. Students who study furniture finishing can expect to earn 60 credits and complete the program in 30 weeks. Other programs vary in length, and some may take as long as 60 weeks to complete.
Rosemount Technology Centre
3737 rue Beaubien est
Montreal, QC H1X 1H2, Canada
514-376-4724
rosemount-technology.qc.ca
Tags: Automotive Training, Automotive Training Centre, Training Centre, auto mechanics, hotel management, LaSalle College, management tourism
Engineers are one of the highest-paid college graduates.
Individuals with a bachelor's degree in engineering get paid more than any other type of college graduate with a bachelor's degree. The salary for engineers after graduation varies drastically from one engineering specialty to another.
Petroleum Engineers
Petroleum engineers are the highest-paid type of engineer and earn approximately $83,000 as of May 2008 data, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. The main job of a petroleum engineer is to figure out the best way to remove oil and natural gas from deposits deep below the Earth's surface.
Chemical Engineers
Chemical engineers are the second-highest-paid type of engineer and make approximately $65,000. Chemical engineers can work for large-scale industrial companies or smaller companies that sell products like perfume or food. The job of a chemical engineer often involves researching and creating new compounds to develop new products.
Mining and Mineral Engineers
Earning approximately $64,000 annually, mining and mineral engineers are the third-highest-paid type of engineer. Mining and mineral engineers are responsible for finding, extracting and preparing minerals like coal for industrial use. One of the main responsibilities of a mining and mineral engineer is to plan out the construction of new open-pit underground mines.
Computer Engineers
Computer engineers make $62,000 annually. The job of a computer engineer involves designing and testing new computer hardware such as computer chips, circuit boards and computer systems. Computer engineers also develop software systems that help control computer networks.
Nuclear Engineers
Nuclear engineers have the same salary as computer engineers, earning $62,000 each year. Nuclear engineers help develop new nuclear power plants and monitor the operation of existing nuclear power plants. Alternatively, some nuclear engineers choose to specialize in the use of nuclear power sources for submarines and space crafts.
Electrical Communications Engineers
Electrical communications engineers get paid approximately $60,000 annually and help develop technologies as small as MP3 devices and as large as global positioning systems. Electrical communications engineers commonly monitor the manufacturing of communications and broadcast systems.
Mechanical Engineers
Mechanical engineering is the most common engineering specialty and mechanical engineers have an annual salary of $59,000. Mechanical engineering is an extremely broad field and can involve helping with the development of internal combustion engines, electrical generators and turbines.
Industrial Engineers
Industrial engineers earn $58,000 each year and help determine the most efficient way for a company to provide products or services by analyzing the use of man power, materials, machines, information and energy.
Aerospace Engineers
Aerospace engineers earn $56,000 each year and help with the development and maintenance of space crafts, air crafts and missiles. Aerospace engineers usually specialize in a particular type of aircraft such as commercial airliners, helicopters or space crafts.
Civil Engineers
Civil engineers are one of the lowest-paid types of engineers, earning $52,000 annually. Civil engineers help with the construction of large projects such as bridges, roads, tunnels and dams. Civil engineers are commonly employed by the government.
Tags: Civil engineers, each year, nuclear power, space crafts, type engineer, approximately annually, bachelor degree
Online law schools allow students to become lawyers without traditional campus limitations.
Becoming a lawyer or judge requires going to law school and obtaining a degree from the school as well as passing the state's bar exams. Like many other degree options, law schools are offering online degrees to students unable to obtain a degree through traditional education.
Getting Online Law Degrees
Some traditional law schools offer online law degrees to students. The programs provide classes which students take, video lectures and chat room discussions. The degree options sometimes have extended time degrees, which allow students to take law school classes at a slower pace.
Benefits of Online Law Degrees
There are benefits to many individuals who otherwise would not be able to take the lessons. Parents and individuals who are already in the work force do not need to give up their responsibilities and obligations to take the courses and are able to work around their schedule rather than the school's schedule.
Potential Problems With Online Degrees
Online law degrees can come with potential problems. Among the problems is the possibility of diploma mills or scams. Students must take care to select a program through an accredited school. Usually, taking courses from large traditional schools will prevent problems with diploma mills. The large traditional colleges which offer law courses online are typically accredited schooling options. Another potential problem that might arise is teaching to pass the exams rather than the skills needed by a lawyer. Anne Gonzales wrote for the Portland Business Journal that there is a concern about teaching methods changing from the traditional Socratic method, where teachers and students exchange questions for critical thinking skills. The school chats have a similar idea and concept, but it is a potential problem if the school does not set it up appropriately.
Costs
Online law school costs are lower than traditional law school options. According to Anne Gonzales, the cost is lowered by half or more when compared to the law school cost of traditional law schools. She continues on to state that the typical range for an online law degree is between $12,000 and $32,000 for most schools (as of 2011), which compares to about $90,000 or more for traditional law schools.
Bar Exam
Online law degrees, like any other law degree option, require passing the Bar exam with the state before becoming a lawyer. The average passing rate for students of online law degrees who take it for the first time is comparable to the averages for traditional schools, at roughly 50 percent passing on the first try.
Employment
Online law degrees have similar employment opportunities for students, but there is a potential for some employers to look unfavorably on individuals who took an online program. In general, any student who passes the state Bar exam is eligible for employment or to start a personal practice if they prefer.
Tags: traditional schools, Online degrees, online degrees, allow students, Anne Gonzales
To succeed in an early childhood education career, candidates need more than a degree. Close interaction with children demands patience and a strong, sincere desire to help all children learn and reach their fullest potential. Early childhood educators are in high demand, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects steady, sustained growth in this field. Childhood education degrees are particularly valuable to child-care providers, teachers, teaching assistants and school administrators.
Child Care Worker
Employees in child care work in a variety of places, including day care centers, community programs and nonprofit organizations. These workers help children learn and understand social fundamentals such as sharing, cleaning up toys and playing nicely with others. They can work with a specific age group or with special-needs students. Average hourly wages for these positions are usually a few dollars more than minimum wage.
Preschool Teacher
Children who are too young to attend kindergarten are often enrolled in a preschool. These schools prepare young children for public school by introducing fundamentals such as counting, letter identification, shapes and colors. Teachers usually hold an associate's degree or bachelor's degree in early childhood education. A teacher who does not work with special-needs children can expect to make a little more than a child care worker.
Kindergarten Assistant
Kindergarten teachers introduce advanced topics such as science, math, language and social studies. In most cases, an assistant teacher is required to hold an associate's degree. While the teacher leads the activities, an assistant helps the children participate and complete projects and supervises field trips, activities and recess. Assistants earn a bit less than preschool teachers.
Public School Teacher
Quality teachers are critical to a successful public education program. Public school teachers usually teach a specific subject or age group in the lower grades. Some specialize in special education work, while others work with the general student body. Most states require that public school teachers possess a minimum of a bachelor's degree and state certificate. Salaries depend upon location, education, experience and other factors.
Administrators
Education administrators do not actively engage with children. They manage the daily operations of the organization and ensure that the curriculum and other factors meet local and federal educational standards. A background in early education helps these administrators create a thorough, effective curriculum within the requirements designated by the organization's governing body.
This position is more time-consuming than a teaching job. Administrators are typically required to hold a master's degree or Ph.D. degree. These officials earn a salary about 30 more than teachers.
Tags: more than, work with, associate degree, bachelor degree, child care, childhood education, children learn
Nursing schools use traditional teaching styles to develop critical thinking.
Schools of nursing aim to provide quality, individual or group instruction to aspiring nurses. Each health-care instructor has an individual approach to teaching, often based on her experience in nursing school or on an approach she finds particularly demanding, such as "hands-on" demonstrations. Although nursing programs are popping up online as of 2011, traditional teaching styles in schools of nursing still exist and are preferred by some over high-tech approaches.
Classroom Teaching
In a classroom teaching style, a nursing instructor educates nursing students face-to-face. This teaching style is similar to the way an instructor would teach another subject, such as math or science. The teacher administers tests, asks students to present research reports and keep notebooks.
Clinical Simulation
Traditional methods of clinical simulation include a hands-on experience. After watching and learning from an instructors, students use a mannequin model and a 12-lead ECG machine to perform procedures, such as a resuscitation. The instructor might evaluate how the class works as a whole or test individual student accomplishments and failures.
Demonstration Approach
For a demonstration teaching style, training usually takes place in groups of 12 to 20 students, depending on the size of the program. An instructor gives a demonstration on a procedure, for example a birth, and asks students to take notes on her expert approach. Demonstrations in traditional styles are rarely "hands on" for students. Rather, students learn from watching the instructor; in later courses, or in an exam period, a student might have to perform on a mannequin patient.
Theoretical Learning
Some nursing program instructors gear courses toward developing expertise in a particular area, such as medical-surgical nursing or women's health. Teachers can opt to focus on teaching theories of the particular area and their applications in a real-life hospital. These theories might include honing leadership skills, or the importance or creating and applying of research to nursing practices.
Hybrid Traditional Style
According to Bowie State University's traditional nursing track, the faculty uses various educational technologies to enhance a traditional teaching approach. For instance, an instructor might start by writing formulas on a chalkboard or assigning tests, but complement the work with a Web-enhanced format. For instance, if a student cannot attend class one week, he can participate from home online.
If they haven't already made the decision to retire, baby boomers come closer to facing this decision each year. Like them, you'll need to determine how much money you'll need when you retire. There are two ways of looking at your retirement needs--your total savings and your annual retirement expenses. To live a fulfilling retirement, it's best if you have a comfortable handle on both of these numbers.
The Facts
Start off by gathering the facts. This includes your current expenses, expected Social Security benefits, pension payments and any other income sources during retirement. One quick method to determine your expenses is to look at your total income and subtract the money you saved (including any 401k deductions). You can obtain information regarding expected Social Security benefits directly from the government and information on any pension payments from your employer. Other income sources might include royalties, investment income and part-time jobs.
Significance
Getting a handle on your current expenses is considered the first step to determining how much money you'll need for retirement. Many financial planners will tell you to simply take 70 to 80 percent of that number and use that as a guide for estimating retirement expenses. This is an acceptable rule of thumb, but can often produce misleading results. For example, if you expect to have your mortgage paid off by the time you retire, your annual retirement expenses could be far less than three-quarters of your current expenses. On the other hand, if you plan to increase your travel plans, your retirement expenses may equal or even exceed your current expenses. For these reasons, you'll need to not only obtain current expense information, but project any significant additions and deletions to those expenses that might occur during retirement.
Considerations
Once you've got a good handle on your annual retirement expenses, you can then determine how you might pay for those expenses. For example, if you're eligible for Social Security benefits or company pension payments, identify their annual value and subtract that from your annual retirement expense. What's left is the amount of living expenses that must be made up either by investment income or other sources of income. We'll call this number your "income gap."
Size of Retirement Savings
After determining your income gap, you can easily calculate the amount of money you'll need to save for retirement. Using a method similar to nonprofit endowment trustees, simply multiply your income gap by 20. This yields the total amount you should save for retirement and assumes you'll withdraw 5 percent annually from this savings account to close your income gap.
Expert Insight
Many people make two mistakes when figuring out how much they'll need for retirement. First, they underestimate their expenses. The likelihood of this increases if you don't use personal finance software like Quicken to keep track of all your expenses. Folks also tend to underestimate the additional costs of their retirement activities. Don't forget to add those in. Second, many people often fail to properly account for inflation. They will either disregard it or count it twice. Again, software like Quicken will contain a retirement plan calculator that includes the impact of inflation. If you need to enter an estimate for inflation, most financial professionals will use a 3 percent estimate based on current trends.
Tags: retirement expenses, annual retirement, current expenses, your annual, your annual retirement
Painting materials for a car may range from $1,000 to $1,500.
Painting a car requires more than a few cans of spray paint. While these sort of jobs are available at low prices, the poor quality of the work will be apparent when the paint begins to peel after a few weeks. Garages that specialize in painting cars start from scratch. The original paint is sanded down, specialized tools are used to apply a new coat and transparent layers are added for protection. Each of these steps includes variables that can alter the price of a paint job, such as the size of a vehicle and the quality of the paint.
The Process
A good paint job for a car requires extensive preparation, pricey materials and specialized skills. For this reason, the first factor in the price of painting a car will be the quality of work and the amount of time a garage puts into the job. First, the vehicle will be washed, the original paints will be sanded down and the chrome and windows will be covered. After the preparation has been completed, a colorless primer is applied to add longevity to the paint. Next, the colored paint will be applied using spray guns, followed by transparent protective covering. Different garages may treat each stage differently. Some may run through preparation quickly, while others will take the time to do detailed work. The quality of work depends on what a consumer is willing to pay.
Materials
Besides the cost of labor, several materials are included in the cost of painting a car. Someone who decides to paint his own car should expect to purchase some specialized tools such as a spray gun and covers for windows and chrome. Those who go to a garage will still be paying for primer, paint and the clear coatings. Because several layers of each paint are required, a full set of decent materials fall in the range of $1,000 to $1,500. But like everything else, these prices can change dramatically based upon quality. Top-of-the-line paints can cost well more than $5,000, while the lowest tiers can be found for only a few hundred dollars. Some colors, especially reds, can also cost more. The size of a vehicle should also be taken into consideration because more or less material will be required, depending on body size.
Labor
Labor costs vary greatly in different areas and based upon the quality of work. While quick paint jobs can be found for under $500, preparation is usually nonexistent and the application of paint tends to be uneven and sloppy. Most garages will complete the entire process from preparation to finish for $2,000 to $3,000 in labor. But once again, the prices can vary based on quality. The cost of labor will also rise and fall with the size of a vehicle, largely because of the preparation process. Many garages include minor body work such as the removal of scratches and small dents during a paint job. Upper end labor costs can reach $50,000 or more, but these prices tend to be reserved for different types of specialized work.
Final Prices
With the combination of labor and materials, a typical paint job will be in the range of $3,000 to $4,500. The quality of labor, the size of a vehicle and the type of materials are the most important variables in deciding the price, and extremes exist in both directions. A poor paint job can cost as little as $800, while the absolute best can top $75,000. Those who decide to paint their own car can save thousands of dollars in labor, but they should expect to spend extra on a spray gun, sandpaper, covering for the windows and chrome. Paint can also cost more to an individual consumer, and the investment of time can be substantial to the inexperienced.
Warning
Those who are interested in painting their own car should be warned that improper preparation can create lasting damage on their vehicle. Not only that, but the improper application of paint can create uneven surfaces and ugly blemishes. Problems caused by poor preparation and uneven painting are especially visible with darker coats of paint. Skimping on any step can cause a vehicle's paint to prematurely peel or fade. Anyone without any experience or guidance in painting a car should strongly consider a consultation with a professional. Consumers must decide if the risk of damaging their vehicle and the time put into their own labor are worth more than the cost of professional work.
Tags: quality work, size vehicle, more than, also cost, also cost more, application paint, based upon
If it is worth keeping, it is worth a folder in your file cabinet.
If paper clutter is a problem in your house, you aren't alone. Despite predictions of a paperless society, we haven't gotten to that point yet. In a short time, paperwork can accumulate and become a major inconvenience. If you don't pay your bills because you don't see them or unsuccessfully seek a warranty when a major appliance breaks, paperwork clutter is costing you more than your peace of mind. It is costing you cold, hard cash. Pick an afternoon and tackle this problem once and for all.
Instructions
1. Gather all the paperwork scattered around the house and place it in one area. Choose a room with a large table or another flat area on which to work.
2. Place a trash can near your work area. As you go through the papers, throw away any that are outdated or unneeded. Place bills to pay, letters to mail and any other paperwork that requires you attention into an action pile. Place all other papers into a to-be-filed pile. These file papers can be further sorted into subcategories such as bills, credit card statements, insurance documents, bank statements, articles to keep and taxes.
3. Place the papers in the action pile on your desk or another area of the house where you can see them. Quickly flip through them and pull out any that need immediate attention. Place those on top of the stack of papers. Pick a time in the next three days to sit down and start on the paperwork in the action pile. Handle the most urgent items first. Schedule an hour every three days to work on the action pile until every item has been taken care of.
4. Create a file folder for each category of paperwork and place the papers into them. Paid bills, bank statements, autos, taxes, kids, insurance papers and warranties may all find a home in your file cabinet. Label every file clearly and file the folders in alphabetical order. If you want to take your organization one step further, color-code the files. For example, color all financial folders green or use green folders. Use blue folders to hold all papers related to your children. Continue to categorize and color-code until all paperwork has been filed.
5. As you bring your mail into the house each day, stand next to a trash can while you look quickly sort through it. Much of the mail you receive can go straight into the trash can. Once a week, go through any paperwork that has accumulated during the week. Throw it out, act on it or file it. If you let paper maintenance slide, you'll soon be back buried in paper clutter.
Tags: action pile, bank statements, file cabinet, paper clutter, papers into
A physical therapy assistant works under the supervision of a physical therapist; providing guidance in exercises and therapies that lead to rehabilitation and healing in their patients. There are few careers that are growing as rapidly as a physical therapy assistant. Gaining a technical physical therapy assistant degree can earn you an average of $50k a year, and the security of possessing an in-demand skill. Here's become a physical therapy assistant.
Instructions
1. Complete all physical therapy assistant pre-requisites. Depending on the physical therapy assistant school you're attending, common courses include those involving the sciences (especially biology), math, psychology, and medical terminology. Do well in these courses as physical therapy assistant programs usually require a passing grade in pre-reqs of at least a C.
2. Apply to the physical therapy assistant school; these programs are frequently offered at community and technical colleges.
3. Apply for physical therapy assistant scholarships; there are many of them due to the high demand for the profession in the health care field and labor market.
4. Complete the two year PTA degree and internship requirements, and/or clinical hours.
5. Get current CPR and First Aid certification, as well as all immunizations required for physical therapy assistant jobs in your state.
6. Start physical therapy assistant job searching before your program completion; many physical therapy assistant grads have jobs before they're even finished with the courses.
7. Get your physical therapy assistant license in order to be able to practice the profession in your state.
Companies conduct interviews to find out if the candidates who look good on paper are actually good matches for the company and the position. By speaking face-to-face, the interviewer can see how you handle stressful situations firsthand and how you answer questions about yourself and your background. Follow the steps to learn interview like a top MBA.
Instructions
1. Give the interviewer a great first impression. Dress in business attire, carry a briefcase or folder with extra resumes, business cards and a notebook to take notes. Smile and keep jewelry limited, makeup light and facial hair groomed.
2. Be prepared. Have extra copies of your resume package with you and anticipate being asked to explain the resume to the interviewer. Sell your qualifications by pointing out specific pieces of your resume and expounding on the information.
3. Focus on 3 to 5 accomplishments or qualities before the interview that you can discuss intelligently. During the interview try to bring up these qualities when you need help selling yourself. Use explanations dealing with communication, confidence, knowledge, teamwork and honesty.
4. Ask questions during the interview to turn the process into a conversation rather than an interrogation. Ask about the typical work day, the atmosphere of the office and the goals of the company.
5. Rehearse possible questions beforehand so you are ready to answer immediately when asked during the interview. Focus on possible questions about yourself, your background, where you see yourself in 5 years, your successful situations, achievements, why you are interested in this organization and how you could fit into it.
6. Know the company in which you are interviewing for a position. Research the company beforehand to understand the way the business is portrayed by the media, how much the stock goes for and anything else that may be helpful in your interview or that interests you.
7. Follow up with the interviewer. Send a letter to thank the interviewer for his or her time, give any information you may have left out of the conversation and remind him or her of your interest in the position. Call the interviewer if he or she hasn't contacted you by the time he or she stated in the interview.
Tags: yourself your background, about yourself, about yourself your, during interview, interview that, possible questions, questions about
Medical technology jobs represent one of the fastest growing employment arenas and will continue to grow for decades, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. As more hospitals and medical practices move to advanced software and online programs for clinical research via new technological breakthroughs, the demand for trained medical technologists professionals will only grow.
Training
Professionals who work in laboratories to analyze and test specimens should follow a training curriculum that includes forensic science, laboratory techniques and crime scene analysis. Studies in anatomy and pathology also should be an integral piece of undergraduate studies. Medical technologists are required to have a 2- or 4-year degree and a license in some states. A certificate in medical technology improves job opportunities as well.
Online Training
Internet-based schools such as Kaplan University, Ashworth University and the Computer Career Institute at Johns Hopkins University offer undergraduate and graduate programs for medical technology. Much of the coursework includes subjects such as medical terminology and documentation, courses that translate well to online learning environments. An internship at a local hospital is typically required to complete the degree.
Certification
The American Medical Technologists (AMT) is the association that provides certification for the field. Membership in the association is automatic after receiving the certification. An examination must be passed that is given by the group around the country through local chapters. Continuing educational courses also are offered through the association to keep the credentials current. Some states require an additional license, which can be obtained through a state Department of Health or local board of occupational licensing.
Jobs
Employment is available in hospitals, universities, research labs and pharmaceutical companies. Advanced positions can be obtained through both experience and additional education. Supervisory positions, clinical directors and laboratory mangers typically hold master's or doctorate degrees in the life sciences as well as job-related experience. While most of the medical technology jobs are in hospital settings, independent labs and research centers offer a plethora of opportunities for advancement in the field.
Related Fields
Once a medical technologist receives the training and experience in the field, a number of other avenues may be explored. As the technology advances, more software designers and developers will be needed. Sales and marketing make an attractive alternative for many in the industry who are looking for alternative career paths. Teaching and training opportunities also will be in bigger demand as the need for new technologists continues to rise.
Tags: medical technology, obtained through, technology jobs
It is extremely important to study every day leading up to the spelling bee.
Just like practicing for a sport, spelling bees require lots of time, effort and concentration. Spelling bee contestants spend much of their time in and out of school learning and studying new words.
There are a few techniques you can do to prepare for a sixth-grade spelling bee, such as mastering the words for your grade level, learning the words for the grade levels above and below you, working several short study sessions into your day and calming your nerves before the big day arrives.
Instructions
1. Learn the 100 words for the sixth-grade level as listed by the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Most school-wide and district-level spelling bees are just lower levels of the national spelling bee. Ask your teacher or the coordinator of the spelling bee at your school to get the list of 100 words for you, which they can do by logging on the Scripps National Spelling Bee website and downloading it. Study these words and until you can recite the spelling of each with no problems or hesitation.
2. Ask your teacher or the spelling bee coordinator at your school to download and give you the spelling lists for all of the grade levels. You will most likely know how the spell all of the words under the sixth-grade level but it never hurts to look over them again. Study the word lists for the seventh- and eight-grade levels because there is a good chance many of your spelling words will come from these lists as you advance in the spelling bee.
3. Visit websites, such as Spell It by Merriam-Webster or Word Buff, both of which offer a wide range of spelling words for different levels, word games and puzzles and have interviews and tips from past spelling bee champions. Your studying time might be limited but it is a good idea to learn spell as many words as you possibly can. The more words you learn the better chance you have of advancing in the bee.
4. Carry your word lists or a dictionary with you wherever you go. There are many times during the day that you can squeeze in a quick study session, such as on the car/bus ride to and from school, in a waiting room at the doctor's office or during a recess or study hall. Word lists and a dictionary are also convenient to have around if you are having trouble remembering spell a particular word, because you can look it up immediately and correct yourself.
5. Look at the words you are trying to spell. When studying you might be tempted to "quiz" yourself quickly and try to spell words without looking at them. Many people are visual learners, however, and it helps them to actually see the words they are learning spell. This might help you be able to visualize and "see" the word you are trying to spell when you are up on stage, the clock is ticking and the pressure is on.
6. Learn to calm your nerves. Spelling bees are a lot like acting in a play or giving a public speech--you are on stage in front of a large crowd of people with bright lights shining on you. If you get nervous about public speaking or being up in front of large crowds, practice anti-anxiety techniques, such as meditating and deep breathing to help yourself focus and calm your nerves.
Tags: your nerves, calm your, calm your nerves, front large, grade levels
Becoming a student again after defaulting on a student loan may be challenging.
Paying tuition and living expenses while in school is easier with the help of student loans. After you finish your schooling, lenders require that you make monthly payments to repay the student loan. As long as you have made payments as agreed so far on your existing student loans, you are eligible to return to school and receive more financial aid. If your loans are in default, meaning that you have not made payments recently even though payments were due, you must get them back into good standing before you can receive more financial aid to return to school.
Instructions
Rehabilitate Defaulted Loans
1. Call the lender for your defaulted student loans. Tell the customer service representative that you are planning to return to school and would like to restore your financial aid eligibility. Lenders vary in their procedures for getting loans out of default, so talking to your lender is the best way to find out what your specific options are. For example, federal student loans typically have more options than private student loans.
2. Ask the customer service representative rehabilitate your student loan. With rehabilitation, you make on-time payments for a specific number of months and the lender will then put your loan back into good standing.
3. Repay the unpaid student loan in full immediately if you can afford to. This is the fastest option for restoring your eligibility.
4. Consolidate your unpaid student loans through the federal government or a private lender. This pays off your loan that was in default and replaces it with a new loan for the same amount. Because the new loan is in good standing, you will be eligible for more financial aid. However, not all lenders will consolidate loans in default because you carry a significant risk for default in the future.
Defer Unpaid Loans
5. Call your student loan lender and ask the customer service representative apply for a deferment, which lenders grant to anybody who is studying at least half-time. When your loans are in deferment, you do not have to make the monthly payments. This allows you to use any money you make while you are back in school to pay for your school costs and living expenses.
6. Fill out the required forms for deferment and return them to your lender, who will confirm your enrollment status with your school.
7. Continue making your regular scheduled loan payments until you receive confirmation from your lender that your loan is deferred.
Tags: student loan, student loans, customer service, customer service representative, good standing, loans default, more financial
A good essay can help you get into the college of your choice.
There is more competition to get into college each and every year. Most colleges require some type of admissions essay, and students often pay coaches to help them write the perfect one. There are many approaches to writing that all-important essay, but following a few basic tips--that many students ignore--can ensure your effort is topnotch.
Avoid Cliches
Avoiding cliches means more than not using certain language and phrases. There are so many coaching programs for writing a good admissions essay that even formats have become cliche. Thousands of students open with a basic factual introduction, write a second paragraph of achievements, a third paragraph about extracurricular activities then a paragraph about how perfect the school is. Avoid this format and take a different approach. Start out with a brief story about an event that touched your life, or a few lines that contemplate your hopes or sense of purpose. Finding a creative way to tell your story can make you standout and showcase your strengths. Think outside the box and make a lasting impression.
What Stands Out?
With any admissions essay you will want to mention your most impressive extracurricular activities, GPA, or sports participation. However, don't create a large list; most applicants will have similar attributes. Your application will include a resume and list of accomplishments, so don't waste precious essay space repeating yourself when you can be showing off your writing skill. Instead, think of a unusual experience you can discuss. Did you bike across the state? Take a Spanish Club trip to Mexico? Start your own freelance writing career? Find the things that make you stand out and use the admissions essay to let administrators get to know you.
Proof, Proof, and Proof Again
While proofreading can seem boring and tedious, it only takes one misspelling to leave a poor impression. Errors don't speak well for you or your desire to attend school there. Writing skills are critical for college, so proofreading for grammar, clarity of thought, punctuation and spelling is only going to make your application look that much better. Get someone else (like your English teacher) to proofread it as well. Every time you go through your work to edit, proofread and improve it, you are increasing your chances of creating a great admissions essay that can help get you into the college of your dreams.
Tags: admissions essay, into college, admissions essay that, college your, essay that, extracurricular activities, help into
The success of any organization largely depends on the motivation of its employees. Unfortunately, there is no exact formula to determine motivate any particular group of people. The fact is we are all motivated by different things. Still, there are some key concepts to keep in mind when developing a plan to motivate employees, regardless of the organization.
Instructions
1. Inspire employees by motivating yourself. It is difficult for you to inspire others if you do not feel inspired. Enthusiasm is contagious. Start by developing an employee motivational plan in order to understand what motivates you and them.
2. Strive to align the company's work goals the goals of the employees.
3. Understand what motivates each of your employees so you know motivate the staff as whole. Strive to create an environment that encourages employees on a personal level. Ask the employees what motivates them to work either one on one, in a survey or through the supervisors. Ask what they would like to see in the company that would motivate them even more.
4. Recognize that supporting employee motivation is an on-going process, not a task. It is not something to check off a to-do list and then forget about.
5. Support employee motivation by using an organizational system like policies and procedures instead of counting on good intentions to pull you through. The nature of interpersonal relationships in the workplace constantly changes, so have systems in place that motivate the employees while supporting the organization's infrastructure.
Tags: what motivates, employee motivation, motivates them, what motivates them