Internships

In the job market today it is hard for college graduates to got a job.  The key to landing a job right out of college is to have experience that other applicants may not have.  The best way to obtain this experience is through an internship.  Internships allow students to use the skills they have learned and put them to use.  For hands on learners like myself, internships can really help.  I have been researching internships and the help that is available to students at Plymouth State University.  The Bagley center is a organization on campus that helps students find an internship.  There students have an agent that helps find an internship that fits best for the student and students can earn college credits.  Other options include students finding internships on their own or doing an independent study.  Each option depends what each student is looking for.  If a student is looking for college credits they will want to go through the Bagley center or do an independent study.  If a student just wants experience they will want to find an internship on their own.

 This is a video that gives helpful advice about how to get an internship and why they are important.

Study distractions

There are many potential forms of distractions that can deter students from studying.  These distractions include texting, Facebook, Twitter, television are amongst the major forms of distractions for college students.  As a college student myself, I can become easily distracted by these forms of media.  I find that these venues of distraction as a student definitely prolong the time it takes for me to complete quality work.  After watching this video I was able to realize that if I could avoid distractions while doing my work I would be able to finish my work in a more timely manner.  Avoiding distractions would allow me to have more free time in the long run.  It would also help me to stay on task would could also save time.  Students need to make their own determination  regarding how to deal with distractions that occur when they are trying to get work done.  I personally try to not allow myself to go on Facebook or any other social media sites until I have completed all of my work. 

College life on a budget

Here is a video talking about the importance of budgeting for students.   One of the most important things new college students need to learn is how to budget their money.  Most college students work all summer inorder to save for the upcoming school year, but how are they supposed to make it last?  Here are some suggestions for students to help them budget their money.

• Student should determine their current income and savings status.
• Students should make set goals for paying bills and expenses.
• Students should estimate their monthly spending.
• Understand flexible expenses that can be reduced and eliminated some months.
• Students should think about what expenses are necessary and unnecessary.

College life on a budget

Here is a video talking about the importance of budgeting for students.   One of the most important things new college students need to learn is how to budget their money.  Most college students work all summer inorder to save for the upcoming school year, but how are they supposed to make it last?  Here are some suggestions for students to help them budget their money.

• Student should determine their current income and savings status.
• Students should make set goals for paying bills and expenses.
• Students should estimate their monthly spending.
• Understand flexible expenses that can be reduced and eliminated some months.
• Students should think about what expenses are necessary and unnecessary.

Online classes vs. traditional classes

At Plymouth State University I have had my fair share of online and traditional classes.  There are some pros and cons to both forms of education.  Here below are some pros and cons I believe to be of both types of classes:

Online Classes

Pros:

·         Having more free time

·         More flexible attendance

·         Can teach yourself

·         They are usually more hands on learning

·         Do not have to take tests and quizzes in a stressful environment

Cons:

·         Must use time management to complete assignments

·         Must keep up on work

·         Have to keep track of when assignments are due

·         Can’t procrastinate

·         Have to read the book

·         You must be willing to use all the tools that are given to you to teach yourself the material

·         There is no in classroom teaching

Traditional Classes

Pros:

·         Have a professor lecturing and explaining material in a classroom

·         Are told and reminded verbally when assignments are due

·         Can ask questions during class when things are unclear

·         Are able to take notes on a professors lecture

·         Are not required to teach yourself as much

Cons:

·         Class time is not negotiable

·         Takes up specific time in an individual’s schedule

·         A more stressful testing environment

·          Less flexible

·         Less able to teach yourself the material

 I really think overall that the decision of choosing an online class depends on the student, the type of class, and the students work habits.  I am a student that plans out when I am completing assignments and am not a procrastinator.  I usually can take online classes due to my work habits and enjoy the flexibility of going to the online class at my own convience.  I however have had some classes that I find far to hard to take outside of a tradtional classroom setting.    I hope my pros and cons on taking an online class verus a tradtional class can be helpful to you while choosing classes.

Time Management Podcast link

http://www.divshare.com/download/15841783-236

Agenda Book

Agenda Book, a photo by evbatte on Flickr.

This in my agenda book. It is my main organizational tool! If you don't have one I definitely recommend getting one.