Pay attention, this is important.

Pay attention, this is important.

While you are somnolently (that means sleepily) cruising through another day on Planet College, you may, while sitting in one class or another hear your instructor say, "OK. Pay Attention. This is important." While the temptation is to let this become a part of the endless ebb of sights and sounds of another school day you could be well advised to actually do what she says. That is, Pay attention.

Here's why.

While it is generally a given that students need to pay attention in class, that is why they are there, it is also a given that they don't. Don't usually pay attention. With this in mind many instructors have learned to highlight important material, material they regard as important, with the introduction at the top of this post.

Your instructor in this course has spent many, many hours of her life preparing to teach this course. Really. So when she determines something is important she is going tell the class, "This is important." What this means is that this lesson, presentation, set of facts, formula, author or whatever she is referring to is going to be on the test. Yes. That is why she is calling the classes' attention to it. Instructors are like that. They like to point out stuff they think is important.

There. That was important.

Volunteer? Overseas?? Me???

Along with travel, volunteering is a traditional part of most student's experience on Planet College. Combining these two traditions has also for a while been integral to college students experience. The most widely known American institution which provides both of these aspects is the Peace Corps. This government program is not limited to students but does require a degree among other things to qualify. The United Nations also has a volunteer component but these too are only available to experienced professionals. What about students, professionals in training? For one example Geekcorp places volunteers internationally in positions requiring technological expertise.
When seeking overseas volunteer positions bear in mind you will be required to pay at least part of the expenses involved. Also volunteer positions usually require a time commitment, at least three months often more. Finally if you are seriously considering volunteering overseas you will no doubt need a valid, up to date passport and possibly such immunization as your destination country may require.

Other places, Other lives

Planet College has been dedicated to the expanding world of the student experience since its founding. Worldwide there are many, many students, probably like a gazillion, doing many, many, many different things. Studying many, many, many, many different subjects and developing each their own point of view.

One typical, but still distinctive and unique is here. An international student, a native of Malaysia, studying in London, traveling to Spain and studying among other things French. Typical or, well, typically untypical. The site, when we looked, detailed the delight students expressed when they found something for free and some in depth critical exploration of nail polish among many other reflections of this student's experience. The writer is not particularly impressed with herself and has a slight sense of detachment about her experiences. This is a point of view which is developed through experience on Planet College.

This site was found probably like you have found a lot of things on Planet College, just by browsing. You have probably learned a lot, a lot more than you have realized, just by being on Planet College and doing what you do. It might seem surprising but your daily thoughts, adventures, mis-adventures and experiences could be as interesting to a student, a student at a distance, as this student's experiences.

Traveling In Hostel Territory

"Travel broadens the mind" and education and travel have been intertwined since probably day one. Part of the student traveling tradition is hosteling. Hostels are economical lodgings usually located in major cities around the world and always near universities. The quarters are simple clean and often dorm style so the whole set up is familiar to any one who has been on Planet College for a while. Right now, Winter, those hostels near skiing sites are probably pretty full. Those near summer associated recreation aren't. But if you are planning on traveling soon, either spring or summer, hosteling, if you haven't heard, can be a cool way to save money and enjoy the trip by meeting new people who, like yourself, are students.

In order to get reservations at some but not all hostels membership in an organization is usually required. These organizations and their membership requirements are all currently available on line. Searching 'hostel' will bring up quite a few.

Planet College brings this to your attention because now more than ever hanging on to your money is essential. Hostel traveling can help. So if you plan on travel soon look in to hosteling. And Bon Voyage from Planet College.

Tuition Gaurantee Plan.

Regularly Planet College has observed that many news stories about higher education, college, and university life contain and often begin with the words, '"due to the ever increasing cost of tuition." For a while some colleges have offered for their students a tuition guarantee. That is the cost and fees that you are charged at the time of your original admission will apply for the term of your attendance at that school, usually up to four years. Here comes the "due to the ever increasing cost of tuition" part. Due to the ever increasing cost of tuition (see we told ya') many schools are now adopting some form of this same guarantee. The continuing rise of charges by colleges, these schools have observed, have discouraged many potential students from even applying to college. Who wants to sign up for something which is practically guaranteed to increase in cost year by year?
Now that tuition guarantees are becoming more widely spread perhaps it is being applied at your school. You won't know until you ask. So, go find out. Even if your tuition has been raised since your admission perhaps your school may lower your current cost to those which were applied during your first year. Never hurts to ask.

Your Mirror of Erised.

Endings often prompt reflections and memories. Endings also fortell beginnings. This time on the calendar contains a classic time-honored ending as recognized by New Years Eve. All prepratory to the beginning of another year, honored by New Years Day.

Some time back you may have followed the story of Harry Potter. Harry has been kind of hard to avoid him being all over the place for the last ten or fifteen years. The story's devotees can continue to site, quote, relate, and re-tell their favorite or most memorable events, incidents and characters from the wizard-in-training's progress.

Planet College recognizes one potentially useful tool from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Mirror of Erised. Those with a penchant for word games and such quickly recognized "erised" as "desire" spelled backwards, a mirror of desire . Those who gazed into The Mirror of Erised saw what they desired for themselves. Harry saw his parents who had been killed. Other characters saw what they most desired in this clever object in this entertaining tale.

Planet College brings this Mirror to your attention to point out that you to have such a device. It is most probably in your bathroom. That mirror, right there can become your own Mirror of Erised. Right now, at this time of ending and beginning take time to look into your own mirror. Then ask, "Am I becoming what I desire?" Only you can answer, only you will know. Well, are you?

Have an interesting and productive 2012.

End Of The Year So Let's Talk About Those Loans And That Business You Were Going To Start After You Got Your Degree Except Now - Well Just Read This.

Here's One for the end of the calendar year. Loan help. This is from the Small Business Administration's web site. The Small Business administration is a federal agency which is dedicated to helping - and I bet you saw this coming - small business. Below is part of what they said about you starting your own business. IBR means income based repayment. It's for students who have a large loan obligation and a small income. That means just about every one and certainly you. You can read more about it here.

Student Startup Plan

Is student loan debt stopping you from starting your own business? The Income-Based Repayment (IBR) Plan can help.

Income-Based Repayment is an existing payment option for Federal student loans. The Income-Based Repayment Plan supports young college grads, including those looking to start a business, join a startup, or work in a public service job by making Federal student loan repayment manageable. It can help you keep your loan payments affordable by using a sliding scale to determine how much you can afford to pay on your Federal loans—empowering you to take risks with new opportunities.