Hi I'm graduating or "Tell everyone you know."

If you're back home now you are probably seeing some folks, maybe a lot, you haven't seen for a while. Usually the conversation runs to some thing like, " Hey Wasssup. How ya dooin? Not bad, how about you? Yuck, yuck, yadda, yadda, etc." This is standard social interaction. It has been for some time. And will continue to be.

This season, back at home, Planet College is suggesting something. When you see whom ever and they ask, What's up or How you doing? say, "Great I'm graduating." From college. Finally. Say some version of this. Even if you are not so close. Good bet you'll get an unexpected reaction like, "Gee. No kiddin', Really? That's great."

Even if you think you are not at all close to graduating. Start telling people you are going to graduate. Tell them," Oh sure still have few courses. In fact. It might be a while. But. I am going to graduate." Just start saying that.

It will help bring this often illusive point home to you. You are going to graduate. Eventually. Maybe even soon. This little conversational device will make this fact real. More real than it has been. Graduation has probably up until now been illusive. So illusive that it has no reality. Start providing yourself with some graduational reality. Start saying it. "Hey. I'm graduating."

Can you walk?

Can you walk through your school's graduation ceremoney next spring? Can you? Do you know. Before you leave campus for break check with your school's graduation office. Or check with registration or you department's office. If you've been working on you major for a while you may be closer can you think. You could walk that is at least go through the graduation ceremony even if you still have a few requirements. Go find out. Right now. Makbe you can walk.

Rising to the Challenge

We are a culture built on achievement. We think of ourselves as stimulated by challenges. We expect great things of ourselves individually and collectively. At least that is what we tell our selves. Students on Planet College understand that “challenge’ can have different meaning to different individuals. While for some the challenge of maintaining their 4.0 is stimulating for others the challenge is not to roll over and hit the snooze once more when they are already late for class.
We all have our own personal challenges and we each have our own personal values. Your personal values will prompt you to rise and meet the challenges of your life.
Right now we are nearing the end of the term on Planet College and as stuff happens the challenges mount. At this point your personal challenge may be going to talk to the instructor of the class you’ve been skipping since you got a D minus on the mid-term. It may mean really going to your dental appointment for teeth cleaning like you told your mom you were going to. It may be actually writing the final paper for that required lower division class rather than ‘borrowing’ your friend’s paper which he got a C on in the same class.

Whatever your personal "challenge", the time to move is now.

Basic Requirements For The Job.

By this time in your career on Planet College you have probably applied for a few jobs. Maybe more than a few. So you are, no doubt, familiar with the "basic requirements" section of the job posting or description. Usually this section contains essential elements that the worker must be able to perform when hired. They are often relatively simple things like, " must be available to work evenings and weekends", "must be able to lift forty pounds", stuff like that. Often one basic thing not included is just assumed, "Must show up on time and be sober." This is usually a given and is almost always detailed somewhere in the company's employee manual.

Anyway most of these basic requirements also apply to your school experience. It is usually essential to show up on time, sober helps, and about lifting the forty pounds? Sometimes that back pack can get mighty heavy.

The point of this is that just like any one of your current jobs, school, right now, is a job. Perform the tasks regularly, show up on time, lift that forty pounds, i.e. meet the requirements. Employing a work-a-day approach to your education may not be too "uplifting" but it will get the job done. And unlike your paycheck, the compensation for this job, a degree, will last the rest of your life.

Gradual Improvement.

Instructors on Planet College come in many forms. Professors, TAs, lecturers, there are many different kinds.

Most all that you have encountered are looking for one essential thing in your coursework. The are looking for gradual improvement.

Whatever the class, it isn't likely that you had the subject mastered the first day. The first day in fact you were totally clueless. That is why you were taking the class. If you had the subject covered you wouldn't need the course.

So from early on you attempt each assignment. These assignment usually become more challenging as the term goes on. The instructor collects and reviews and corrects assignments. Meanwhile you are hoping for a passing grade.

There is one clear assurance that you will pass the class. Answer this question? Is your work showing gradual improvement? This doesn't have to be dramatic or awesome, it just has to be small steps showing improvement. If you can look at your work, review the grades and feedback you have received so far and see some steady improvement then it is very likely that you will receive a passing graded for this class this term.

If you are not sure about your progress there is a simple solution. Ask the instructor. Get some time before or after class and just ask, "How am I doing?" I'd like to know.

Good luck. Hang in there. Stick with it. Graduation is coming, it really is.

Got Spring?

Schedule in place? Financial ok? Need a place to live? Work schedule firm? Well? It's coming. And you'll be back won't you?
So. See your counselor. Get that schedule. Check the bursur's office to make sure the money is ok?
In other words prepare.

When it is all on line.

As Planet College has migrated to digital based learning services a great deal of the drudgery has been taken out of the college experience. So has some of the fun. Specifically, the fun of sitting in class. On line learning as convenient as it is is also very isolating. Most people who are in college are at least partly there for the social experiences. While Planet College emphasizes completing your degree, graduating and moving on it would be unwise to overlook or deny the joy that being with other students can bring.
So remember if you are involved in a lot of on-line course work you may need to take a break and just get with other students. Just for fun.

When it is all on line it can get real boring real quick.

Nobody ever said that college shouldn't be fun. Did they?

Study Groups

Around this time in the term interest in school seriously flags. The day to day grind takes its toll and thoughts of holidays and especially money for holiday fun become paramount. When this state of mind begins to take over it is time for serious students on Planet College to find a study group. Study groups usually meet regularly often in the library or residence halls. Some are dedicated to one subject, Organic Chemistry or American History for example. Others are organized for just generally any subject the student wants to pursue.

Study groups can be really useful for average student's whose general interest, energy and attention begins to ebb at this time of year. If you are not already a member of such a group you can easily find one. If you are exceptionally ambitious you can start your own. All you need is a regularly scheduled time and place and one or two other students who really want to finish this term with passing grades.

The subject you pick could be the subject you are doing the least well in. For most students on Planet College there is on class every term which becomes particularly difficult. This is the subject you need to bear down on. It is probably too late to drop and you don't need another D or F. So take all of your materials so far and find or start a study group.

Stick with it. Your time this term can not be replaced. Use it well, join or start a study group.

Some Assembly Required

Ever buy one of those kits which has a label on the outside "Some assembly required"? Usually that means you have bought a box full of parts which you are then supposed to assemble into the picture on the box. Whatever the product is. Hopefully there are directions included. Hopefully you read and follow these directions in order to achieve your goal, the finished product.

Now. You are a college student. You arrived on campus as essentially a bundle of parts. You have been looking forward to and working on assembling these parts into a finished product. That product is a college graduate, you. Unfortunately, there have been no directions included to show you how to assemble yourself into graduate. This lack of direction can be discouraging. Sometimes this discouragement can take the form of assessing your self as Not Good Enough. Not up to it. Not at the right school, or whatever form you usual self-criticism takes. This can be difficult to withstand because no one is harder on you than you.

When these suspicions arise it is time to relax and take stock of yourself. You are enough. You are essentially a worthwhile collection of parts. What may have been lacking for you is clear directions. Unlike the product which includes printed directions you do not have such directions for your goal, a degree.

Recognizing this and realizing you have come a long way just to get to where you are can be encouraging. So. Realize you are good enough to finish. There is help available. Passing the classes that you have passed means you can do it. You have enough tools in your kit to assemble yourself as a graduate. You do. You really do.

Oh no! Probation!

For any average student the news that they have been put on probation can be seriously disturbing. If you've been working as well as you can and still not .

In my experience there are two kinds of probation, grade probation and financial probation.
They are different but they do have a bearing on each other.

Grade probation occurs when a student's grade average, GPA, falls below the norm established by the school for student's in their program. Usually the university or college has a set standard for student's grades. Falling below this standard causes a student to be put on probation. This means that the student has a given period of time, often one or two semesters, to increase their average grades.

Financial Aid probation occurs when a student fails to complete the number of units for which they have received financial aid. To put it simply, for example, you enrolled as a full time student for Spring. Full time on your campus is Ten or more units. You then received financial aid as a full time student for this term. During the semester you dropped two classes and finished with Six units. Since your received more financial aid than you actually needed to complete your courses the school places you on financial aid probation. This means you "owe" them for the units you didn't complete, financially speaking. Depending on how your schools financial aid office administers these things you may have one or two terms to make up the units you "owe" them.

Now at times these two probations have a bearing on each other. This is where it can get murky. In the example above let's say instead of dropping the two classes you failed both classes. This would affect your GPA to the point that you are on grade probation. Now, having failed those two classes for purposes of financial aid it can be as if you simply didn't complete the term with the full load you started with. At this point the same standards may be applied and you may also be put on financial aid probation. Now you are on both financial aid and grade probation.

Each of these probations are explained in your schools bulletin and on line. Still clearer explanations may be necessary for you to fully understand how to get off probation. Make an appointment or just drop in to the offices involved. They are the financial aid office and the registration office on your campus. Make sure you completely understand the terms for both of these probations. Also make sure you understand how to get off of both of these probations. In particular, find out clearly what you need to do to get off of grade probation.

Then, make a plan and do it.

To Pass That Class

At this point in the term it is wise to check with your instructors or TAs to assure yourself that you are passing your courses. This has been suggested in a previous post. If you have chosen to do this here is one tip which might help affirm your commitment. If you do get time to visit with your instructor this statement is very effective to make your position clear.

" I want to do every thing I can to pass your class."

This is clear and direct. Simply say it when you are sure you have your instructor's attention. Then listen carefully to their reply.

When they have stated their terms for a passing grade repeat what they have said back to them.

That is all. It is just that simple. Do it now. Pass That Class

So far, so good?

Now, the term is grinding along at its usual pace. You still have the same schedule you started the term with. If not, you may have dropped a class or two. Scheduling problems, class starting too early ? Whatever.

Of the classes that remain in your schedule how are you doing? Well? OK? So, so? How do you know? There is one simple way to find out. Ask. Ask the instructor. Ask the TA. Ask someone who knows. But ask. How am I doing ? Am I passing? Am I behind? Do I have assignments due? Do I have assignments overdue?

Find out now. Ask.

Get a good lab partner.

Planet College Advisory. It is now that point in the term where classes are pretty well underway. The work ahead demands your attention for the remainder of the term. Of particular interest are the labs you need to take. For the most part they go along with your courses. Usually, particularly in the sciences, labs parallel courses. Geology, Physics, Chemistry etc., most of these have a related lab. Commonly these labs require students to work in pairs. This practice is to best utilize resources and time.

There are two elements critical to finishing your lab with a satisfactory grade.

Number two is always finish the assignment the week it is assigned. Do not under any circumstances leave any lab work undone. Even if you have to go in off hours to finish, do so.

Number One critical element for successfully completing this lab is get a good lab partner.

Early in the term partners are assigned by the lab instructor.

At this point in your college career you may have realized how critical working with others is. This is particularly true in labs. So, if you don't already have a lab partner be sure to pick one who is reliable, punctual and as dedicated to finishing the course as you are. If you are now stuck with a partner who doesn't show up much and doesn't do much when they do, see if you can trade or work with another group. Remember you want to finish with a passing grade.

Overall though the best way to get a good lab partner is to be a good lab partner.

Bad Information

Recently I had a conversation with a potential college student which proved to be distressing. She told me she had been accepted to a very good university but would not be attending soon. When I asked why she informed me that she was working on improving her credit score so she could qualify for Financial Aid. I asked her if she had a fafsa and she made a face and said, “Oh no.” I didn’t pursue this with this student. I could tell she was very reluctant to reveal personal information about herself or her family to a faceless bureaucracy. I can assume that she is working from incomplete or bad information. I can also assume that she had confused financial aid, which often includes student loans with consumer credit like credit cards. In fact, I have a hunch she has assumed that financial aid and consumer credit are one in the same thing. I can understand how anxiety provoking this can be. I can understand many students' concern about their credit score.

So, here is today's Planet College Bulletin: Your credit score is a totally separate issue from completing your education. This is the straight fact: Your ability to complete your higher education does not depend on your credit score. If you are a student and you need financial help go to your school’s financial aid office and tell them so.

Getting the best information you can get is critical in any endeavor. Especially, in the often confounding world of student finances. The best information usually comes from the best source. The best source for information about your student finances is not a bank, it is not a credit card company, it is not a loan company and it is not a pawn shop. Each of these will in their own way tell you what is best for them not necessarily you. The best source is on your campus. It is the financial aid office. Go there. Talk to them. Ask for help.

Focus Focus Focus

Film students learn early the importance of focus. They ask themselves often is this scene in focus? In fact, on bigger budgeted films one full time crew member is the focus puller. This is how important focus is to film making.

Filmmakers, who are essentially visual storytellers, know that focus is a function of purpose. When the purpose is to tell a compelling story, i.e. make a good movie, the focus for each scene is clear. Does this scene contribute to the overall purpose of the film? If so, then it is important to keep this scene in focus.

If focus is this important for film makers then how much more important is it for you? In the ongoing comedy/ drama that has been your career on Planet College you may have lost and regained focus many times. Maintaining focus is crucial to your eventual graduation and your return to Earth with your degree. In order to stay in focus it is simply good practice to stop often and ask yourself. What am I doing here? What is my focus? Whether it is a class, a school function, the library or your job your purpose is your degree. Your diploma. Graduation. Keep your graduation in focus no matter how blurry the daily picture gets.

Focus, focus, focus.

Going to Campus or Returning to Campus?

Veterans who have been around Planet College for a few semesters realize there is a significant difference between going to campus or returning to campus.

Originally going to campus meant how many hair dryers should I bring? Will my roommate mind my pet snake and I swear to God I wont be able to sleep unless I find a duvet that matches the drapes in my dorm room.

For experienced students returning to campus means just the essentials. Little that seemed so critical freshman year remains as a priority. The pet snake crawled off long ago, if the place has drapes that's a real plus and who sleeps.

There is one thing which remains among the most critical of essentials for new or returning students. Bring your brain. Sure you will be automatically enrolled in that Anthro class you wait listed. The RA is cool and won't mind if your best friend sleeps over for most of the semester. You don't care whose meal plan you eat off of. See? You have the basics covered.

And hopefully by now your personal computing unit, your brain, is fully hooked up and among other things attends class right along with you.

Your brain? Don't leave home without it.

Fee Infestation

Fees are everywhere on Planet College. Materials fees. Lab fees. Late fees. Library fees. Planet College is infested with fees. No matter how careful a student is fees occur. They add up over the term and fees must be paid. Fees represent a slow leak in the ever flattening tire of your financial bicycle wheel. Sometimes the best you can do with your limited finances is slow the leak.

The real key to financial management is keeping as much of your money as you can and fees maybe an opportunity to do so. Specifically the fees that your bank or credit card company charges at ATMs for withdrawals. (You can check that flimsy little booklet you got with the card to see what the policy of your financial institution is. That is if you still have it.)

Without even checking you are probably aware that there are some fees involved almost every time you use one of your bank cards. But some places charge far more than others. Specifically, the ATM outside your schools bookstore may charge as much as two dollars for a withdrawal. This is in addition to your bank's charge for not using their atm. Inside the bookstore is a different story. Many large retail institutions, drug stores, grocery stores and even your school's book store do not charge a fee for your credit, check or debit card use. Thus going inside the student store purchasing a pack of gum or some paper and asking for cash back may save you money. Real money. Your real money.

Remember this when you need a quick twenty bucks.

Summer School Grades

If you've completed your summer school course or courses with a satisfactory grade or grades be grateful. It's probably a good idea to kick back a bit and enjoy what is left of summer. But seasoned veterans of Planet College know there is always at least one more thing to do. In the case of your summer school course the next thing to do is make sure your main campus gets the grade or grades you've received.

Many students take summer school courses at a campus other than their home college. If this has been true for you you may need to know that your home campus does not automatically get the results from your summer school campus. You have to do something to make that happen.

Basically you probably have to go to the administration office of your summer school and ask that a transcript of your grades be sent to your college. This office will require some information usually involved in a form. This sometimes involves a fee.

Because it is probably fairly critical that you get this grade to your home campus now would be a good time to make sure this gets done.

Your home campus probably needs this information as soon as possible. It may be critical for your Fall registration. You may need the transcript to be permitted into a restricted course. Or you may need it to maintain your financial aid package.

You may need it for all of the above reasons and more. Whatever. So take that next step toward graduation. Go make sure your home campus gets your summer school grades.

Then, have a good summer.

Stuck on The Road to Graduation?

With three flat tires and no jack?
Students on Planet College can go from flyin’ to cryin’ fast. Dumped? Duped? Flunked? F**ked?
It all happens and quite often it all happens at once.
What to do when you don't know what to do?
Ask for help. That is the secret ingredient to this week's crisis. Ask for help. Just that. When you fell stressed, find someone to talk to. Find someone you can talk to about what is going on.
You may be surprised at what kind of help can come your way.
Just ask.

Are you a student who works or a worker who goes to school?

Most students work at least one job. Many workers attend school. At some point the question becomes are you a student who works or a worker who goes to school? The reply to this question is a matter of emphasis. And emphasis can be quantified by time. Simply put, what do you spend more time on, work or school? During summer the answer is simple. For the most part you spend time at work. You are a worker.

During the rest of the year what do you spend most of your time on? The time you spend will tell the tale. One handy reference is if you spend more time on work than school you are a worker who goes to school. There is a simple but subtle difference here. And it is this difference which may explain your frustration with your college progress so far. Specifically, if you look over your schedule for the past three semesters you might see how much time you are actually spending on work. With this simple formula you may realize that your resources have been allocated to working. Had you put this same emphasis on school you might be progressing faster. But you can't because you need the dollars that work generates. To restate, your time resources are being traded for the money it takes to survive and hopefully finish school.

With this awareness you can make informed decisions. For example you may revise your projected graduation date more realistically. You are going to make it, but it will take longer than you thought. So, press on realizing that you are trading your time for your education. Somewhat indirectly but eventually your efforts will pay off with the degree you seek. Press on.

Student Accounts

Account Balances?

Summer offers lots of options for students. Few of them, other than summer school have anything to do with school. Mostly it is either kick back or work like crazy or both. With this in mind it might be a good idea, in fact, a very good idea, to check your account balances.
If you don’t know you have an account at your school then you probably don’t know that you have a balance. In this case some basic Planet College orientation is due.
When a student is admitted most colleges create an account for the new student. This account is administered through an office usually in the administration building. This often is called the Bursar’s office but it might be titled Student Accounts. What ever. But either way you as a student have an account. This account works somewhat similarly to other accounts you may have. Checking accounts or savings accounts at your bank or credit union or bank are common examples. In this system charges are applied, tuition, fees, etc. and payments are applied to your account. When the payments applied to the charges equal or exceed the charges the account is usually said to be balanced. Payments are often made through financial aid. Payments are also made by students with a check or a credit card. Some times payments are made by parents to the students account.

However the payments are made the simple fact is you do have an account and the school wants it balanced. More simply they want the money.

Account Balances?

Summer offers lots of options for students. Few of them, other than summer school have anything to do with school. Mostly it is either kick back or work like crazy or both. With this in mind it might be a good idea, in fact, a very good idea, to check your account balances.
If you don’t know you have an account at your school then you probably don’t know that you have a balance. In this case some basic Planet College orientation is due.

When a student is admitted most colleges create an account for the new student. This account is administered through an office usually in the administration building. This often is called the Bursar’s office but it might be titled Student Accounts. Whatever. But either way you as a student have an account.

This account works somewhat similarly to other accounts you may have. Checking accounts or savings accounts at your bank or credit union or bank are common examples. In your schools system charges such as tuition, housing, fees, library fines etc are applied to your account. When payments are received they are applied to your account. When the payments applied to the account equal or exceed the charges the account is usually said to be balanced.

Payments are often made through the financial aid office. When Financial Aid funds are received they are applied, also known as 'credited' to your account. Payments are also made by students with a check or a credit card. Some times payments are made by parents directly to the school which means they are applied 'to the students account.

However the payments are made the simple fact is you do have an account and the school wants it balanced. More simply they want the money.

When charges to your account exceed payments you have a negative balance. If this condition continues for a period of time you may receive a notice from your school concerning payments past due. This condition can seriously affect your ability to register for your next term or even continue at your school it bears careful attention.

Since summer for many students means no thought of school this situation can arise unnoticed only to become troubling when fall arrives.

Right now as always vigilance is your friend. If your student account is available on line or by phone before you got to the beach check it. You don't want any surprises come this fall.

Student Accounts Part Two

As explained above you have an account at your college whether you know it or not. Also this time of year few students want to think about school beyond the easy A, slam-dunk summer school class they are taking with the really cool TA who doesn’t even take roll.

With all of this as a background Planet College strongly suggests you contact your school’s student accounts office (or Bursar’s Office) to check the status of your account. This is why. In the end of the semester frenzy to just-get-the- heck out of here student’s often overlook really simple but fee-related things. Things like turning in the residence hall key, locker key, library books etc. Now. These simple oversights always result in fees. Key replacement fee, library fee, lab breakage fee, stuff like this. The fees are usually in the range $10 to $50. And. These fees are applied to your student account.

Students are sometimes but not always notified of these fees but students notoriously ignore such notifications.

Ok? So. Here is the totally important point of these two posts. Unpaid fees can affect your ability to register. If you haven’t gotten your Fall classes yet you are probably waiting for your registration date. In case you don't know it some schools will put a block on your registration until the outstanding fees are paid.

Sucks huh? Well what does this tell you? Go on line right now or call the bursar’s office and check you account balances. If there are any outstanding fees make sure they get paid. You don’t want some weenie lab fee interfering with your ability to get the classes you want. So go do that right now.

College Students Wanted.

As pointed out often on Planet College the general population has a regard for anyone who is attempting to better themselves especially college students. There is an overall good-natured respect, culture-wide, for students beyond the typical Partyers-Gone-Wild image commonly depicted. Regularly, you have seen postings both on line and in various media, College Students Wanted. There is a reason for this. College students have a general reputation for being intelligent, focused and good workers. Employers who have had good experience with college student workers will be looking for more of the same.

So, if you are not fully employed right now, don't overlook the obvious. Yes, at times those "college student wanted" ads are little more than come-ons to sell you something. But, not always. Therefore, when you see that tag or title, call 'em. Might be a pretty good deal.

College Student Available.

Of course you are looking for work because you are always looking for more money. More money means more work and this usually means employment of some kind.

Well, if some employers are asking for college students doesn't it make sense to make as many people as possible aware that you are a college student?

Whatever means you are using to get additional work be sure every application, every notecard on the church bulletin board or local laundromat, every on-line posting includes the phrase College Student available.

As often pointed out on Planet College the term College Student carries some significance beyond the typical Partyer-Gone-Wild connotation. Most of the population has respect for individuals who are attempting to better themselves especially through education. You can use this general impression to your advantage. So remember, what ever the media, remind them " I'm a college student."

What the (bleep) is an emancipated minor.

This is not a site devoted to legal advice. For all questions regarding legal terms you should contact a qualified attorney. Yet, Planet College recognizes that many terms are bandied about with some quasi-legal opinions attached to them. One of the most persistent of these is "emancipated minor." This term was originally developed to identify and legitimatize individuals who, though not yet legal age, were responsible for themselves. You may use your favorite search engine to find definitions and interpretations of this term. But before you do Planet College advises you to read on.

Students on Planet College having a general idea of the implications of this term attempt to apply it to themselves. The argument usually is, " Well I've been responsible for myself since I graduated from high school, so . . . ." This argument is always presented in reference to the student's financial status. Essentially it is seen as a means to get more money for school. It is often presented by students of whatever age who are getting or have gotten no financial help from either parent.

The thing you need to know is that the United States Department of Education does not recognize the term " emancipated minor". It has no meaning, no validity for that Department. Since that is the Federal Department which oversees Financial Aid in the United States, seeking to be designated an emancipated minor will do nothing for your Financial Aid status.

However, if, in fact, you are recieveing no outside support for your education a visit to your school's Financial Aid office might be beneficial. Tell the worker that you would like more help. Tell her why.

Couldn't hurt.

Sure, It Sounds OK.

But how am I supposed to pay for it? As you well know by now nothing about Planet College is free. So even if you are now thinking,"Hey, I'd like to try that." You realize it will cost you. But maybe not as much as you think. If you take the time to do a little calculating about your school costs per term you may learn that studying overseas isn't really much more costly than studying in the U. S. Still most students welcome any additional financial help. This site has details about programs available for college students who wish to study abroad: http://www.iie.org/programs/gilman/overview/overview.html. You will notice that to be eligible for this program you need to be receiving a Pell Grant. If you don't know what a Pell Grant is you need to visit your school's financial aid office and have this term explained to you. If you don't know if you are receiving a Pell Grant you, too, need to pay a visit to the financial aid office.

As emphasized in the post below you actually don't often need to be any more than average, a C student, to study abroad. Give it a try.

Planet College additional reminder. Internet searches. Yes, Planet College understands that you can Google "Pell Grant" and get dozens of definitions of its meaning. By now you probably understand that this type of information is limited. What students really benefit from is experience. This is why Planet College urges you to visit your school's financial aid office for a complete explanation of "Pell Grant" and how it applies to your financial aid.

Cs Overseas.

Often average students dismiss the idea of Study Abroad. Studying anything in another country they feel is beyond their reach. Because average students get average grades, Cs mostly, they dismiss without consideration, the possibility of going away for a semester or even a summer session. This assumption is superficially logical but completely erroneous.

The fact is that practically any student, no matter what caliber, is eligible for some overseas studies. If you don't have a Study Abroad representitive on your campus a web search could locate potential programs for which you are eligible.

Remember that Study Abroad is quantitatively different from Student Travel. You may already know about, may have even taken, tours of other countries. Usually with a group of other students this type of tour is essentially that, touring.

Study Abroad means traveling to another country. Once there you reside there for a period of time while studying some specific subject or subjects. The subjects vary widely, art, drama, television production, hydrology, a local dialect, anthropology, any number of college style courses. You go to class, you do the work you get a grade. Hence, Study Abroad.

If you are now saying, "Oh yeah sure, how am I supposed to pay for it?" see above.

I just partied all the time and I got a 4.0.

Some where along the way you will come across someone who says (about their college experience), "I just partied all the time and I got a 4.0. " Ever heard that? No? Yes? Ever said it? No, you've never said it. But you may have heard it. Either from another student or from the person themselves. It is a myth. The person who says, "When I was in college I partied all the time. And I got a 4.0" is mythologizing themselves. This phrase implies that they never studied. Even if they aren't out right fabricating, somewhere, some how they studied. Believe it. If they actually achieved a GPA of 4.0 for their college career they earned it. Unless they got their 4.0 in Partying ( and there are those who try) the student actually put the work in. And that is them. The point of this post is that is not you. You will not now nor ever earn a 4.0 period let alone do so while partying all the time. Any such expectations are not only unrealistic they are discouraging.

You are an average person. You are also an average student. Average people rarely get a grade of A in anything. More than likely they get mostly Cs, an occasional B and sometimes even a D. This is the common experience of most students. And with this experience you can graduate. Cs get degrees. So coming up this next term forget about trying to party to a 4.0. Take the classes you can pass. Study when you can. Get Cs, get going and graduate. Remember: Cs get degrees.

What good will this do me?

What good will this do me? In the long trek towards graduation students realize almost every decision eventually bears on whether it will help them graduate or not. At least it should. If you are traveling this summer, taking a summer school course or just kicking back at home, think. How does this help me graduate? While you are on PlanetCollege this should be your primary thought about everything. Something to meditate on: what good does this behaviour, this event, this activity do me? Will this help me get to graduation? Well? Will it?

Where's my mail?

Veteran students know a large part of survival on Planet College is communication. In order to communicate people need to know where you are. If you haven't left campus yet it is a good time to drop off a mail forwarding notice at the housing office. If you're off campus you still will need your mail forwarded. In this case the Post Office has change of address forms. This is important. A great deal of communication is done by e-mail and cell phone. A great deal but not all. Keeping everyone updated about your whereabouts is important. If you have already gotten to where you are going for the summer you still can have your mail forwarded. Get the change of address form from your current local post office. Fill in where you want your mail sent and mail that form to your campus post office. One way or another keep in touch.

What About A Money Buddy?

Most students are familiar with the term "study buddy. " It is common to have friends or other students who become friends to study with. This is a very effective strategy for getting through your courses. If you don't have any study buddies and are toughing it out alone think it over.

Now here is another Planet College suggestion. What about a money buddy? Finances are such a crucial part of higher eduction they are practically a required subject. In fact, if you think about it Higher Education Finance has been a required course for you since you started your college education. Probably since day one on Planet College what has been going out has consistenly exceeded what has been coming in. Although probably a clear solution would be more money that is rarely possible. A solid second choice is more effective management of what is actually there. Without much experience for this type of management help could be useful.
So, again, know anybody who is financially capable?

It doesn't have to be a close friend and we are not suggesting someone who you can consistently borrow money from. A money buddy can be anybody, as we have said, who is simply fairly proficient at handling their own personal finances. Know anyone who regularly balances their checkbook, isn't often flat broke, can consistently afford what they need? Ask them how they do it. Just that. How do you remain financially unstressed? See what you can learn from them.

If you don't know anyone like this try talking to someone who actually works in finance. Not necessarily a big shot, either. Maybe a teller at your credit union or a worker in the Burser's office. Even one of the counselor's in the Financial Aid office. Ask if they can help.

If you can find someone you can trust to look over your finances you will probably need at least copies of your bank or credit union and credit card statements. This are available on line and can be easily printed out. Bring copies to meet with your chosen money buddy. Remember, you are looking for a few simple things. Essentially doing more with what you have because what you have is very, very limited. Most financial distress results at least in part from a kind of fogginess. The kind of fogginess which is a combination of busyness and inexperience. Taking time to go over your finances can produce some clarity about your spending versus your income or available resources. This clarity can be useful as a stress reliever.

Remember Rule One on Planet College whenever you have a problem, issue or a concern, or just want to learn something: Ask for help.

It's Spring, Finals are approaching and Sucking Up is in the air.

With finals approaching or underway and final grades due to be posted soon the annual spring ritual is blossoming in full on campuses across the country. The annual spring ritual is, of course, sucking up, brown nosing, butt kissing or however it is designated on your campus.

Suddenly find you are getting a D minus in Statistics and probably failing that "easy" First Aid class? Time to swing into action. E-mails, phone messages, even notes to the instructor proclaiming your enchantment with her and her subject are all part of the ritual. This along with mournful decries of protest about your way-too-busy schedule usually are a part of the package.

The purpose? To salvage some kind of decent grade, your financial aid for fall and possibly your college career.

The thing about sucking up is it is so pathetically obvious. Every instructor gets her or his share of it. Every term. And curiously most of them would actually like to help. But. You have to give them something to work with other than a tearful,"Please don't fail me."

OK, so you have a class or two you have neglected and now it is too late to drop. Try this. Get some time to talk to the professor, instructor, TA or whoever is responsible for your grade. This is going to take ten minutes, not more. Track them down at their office if they have one. Talk to them after class. Whenever. Tell them you need some time to talk about their course. When you get their attention say this, " I want to know what I need to do to pass this class." Simple and to the point. If you feel you need to supply some reason why you've neglected attending, haven't turned in papers or skipped tests do so. But. Don't make it elaborate and don't make it anyone else's fault. Just keep it simple and show you've learned a lesson and your willing to try.

In order to be convincing you will probably need to bring a notebook and possibly your work so far. If the instructor has time you two can go over whatever work you actually have done. Keep the emphasis on what you can do now. When she starts to explain your position and what you can do actually look attentive. Then, write down what she says. Like it says give her something to work with.

Then. Go do it. Whatever the instructor says. Take the time now to do the best you can with whatever is left of the term. That is it. Make a sincere effort. Turn in what you do. Make a reasonable attempt to prepare up for the final. Actually show up for the final. (You may know more than you think). And hope for the best.

Who knows? You just might pull a passing grade out after all.

This works much better than traditional sucking up. Much better. Way much better.

Oh no. I'm graduating.

Now what do I do?

After a great deal of time and energy spent in the alternate reality of Planet College the possibilities of a return to Planet Earth can present unexpected anxiety. Graduating, celebnrating your degree and the tremendous exhilaration of finally achieving your goal can be counterpointed by a profound , "Now what?"

If you are not already set on your next step, real job, grad school or whatever it might be time to seriously discuss with yourself just what the heck to do.

If in this context you need some stimulation try this: http://www.roadtripnation.com/ .

There may be more possibilities for your life with your degree than you had thought.

Good luck.

More About Money

On Planet College Average Students are almost constantly seeking money. Grants, loans, work, borrowing, the sources can be numerous but the quest is always the same. Money, more money. Here is a source you may not have explored. The Human Resources office of any of your employers. Most students with more than one employer never think that each of these concerns is organized as a business. Part of the organization is almost certainly a department which administers hiring and benefits. That department, probably referred to as HR, Human Resources, may be a resource for money for school. Many companies, even modest-sized companies, have educational assistance programs for their employees. Ask your supervisor at work, check the employee handbook, find the HR 800 number and ask. Call and ask. "Hey, I'm a student,do you have any money for me?" See if they can help. Make the call, fill out the form, do the follow up. Do the follow through and maybe, get some money. There's more. You may be eligible for help through one of your parent's employers. Same deal. One large national pharmacy chain with thousands of employees administers a scholarship program for the children of their employees. Even if you are a full grown adult who hasn't lived at home for some time you may still be eligible of such a program. Ask either one or both of your parents if you can check out their employee handbook. As stated above call the company. Ask about any programs they may have for education. There may be more money in it for you. Good luck.
Labels: earned money, human resources, Right School. Wrong school

Money for College/ HR

On Planet College Average Students are almost constantly seeking money. Grants, loans, work, borrowing, the sources can be numerous but the quest is always the same. Money, more money. Here is a source you may not have explored.

The Human Resources office of any of your employers. Most students with more than one employer never think that each of these concerns is organized as a business. Part of the organization is almost certainly a department which administers hiring and benefits. That department, probably referred to as HR, Human Resources, may be a resource for money for school. Many companies even modest-sized companies have educational assistance programs for their employees. Ask your supervisor at work, check the employee handbook find the HR 800 number and ask. Call and ask. "Hey, I'm a student,do you have any money for me?" See if they can help. Make the call, fill out the form, do the follow up. Do the follow through and maybe, get some money.

There's more.
You may be eligible for help through one of your parent's employers. Same deal. One large national pharmacy chain with thousands of employees administers a scholarship program for the children of their employees. Even if you are a full grown adult who hasn't lived at home for some time you may still be eligible of such a program. Ask either on or both of your parent's if you can check out their employee handbook. As stated above call the company. Ask about any programs they may have. There may be more money in it for you. Good luck.

Grade Review Part Two

Having accomplished a grade review for your courses you are aware of where you stand this term. If you are up to date with your assignments and satisfactorily passing each of your courses then your are on track for the term. Keep up the good work.

If, however, one or two courses show problems you have some choices. Let say there is one course in which you have missed several assignments, several class sessions, and not done satisfactorily on the tests. Consider: Can you really get caught up by the end of the term? With all you have going on where will the time and the effort come from? If, after due consideration ,the situation is that you can not get caught up before the end of the term you have some serious decisions to make.

What are your choices?

Can you drop? Can you change your grading status?

If you have done neither of these things before you need to investigate the procedures for each.
Most campuses have a policy for dropping courses. Find out what the policy is for your campus.

On some campuses various grading options are offered. Other than traditional A through F there are also Pass/Fail, credit/no credit and audit. These options are usually offered at registration time and often depend on the course. Not all courses offer every option. On many campuses these options are not available after the term starts without a special petition.

Finally, what ever your decision follow through thoroughly on the procedure. If you are bound to complete the course get help. Many departments offer tutoring and additional help for overworked, overwhelmed students.

If you drop remeber this withdrawal can have an effect on your financial aid status.

If you choose a change of grading status be sure to get the necessary paper work signed and in on time.

What ever you decide your behaviour will have consequences. But most importantly you don't need another D or F. Now is the time to do something.

Mid-Term Grade Review Part One

At most colleges and universities mid-term grades have been posted by now. You should know pretty much where you stand grade-wise this term. If you attend a school which does not post mid-terms then you need to find out what your grades are so far. There is a simple way to do this. Ask. Ask the TA, ask the professor, ask the instructor, ask whomever is responsible for recording and entering your grade. For some large classes it may take some doing to track down the actual grader. But it will be worth.

If you've been around Planet College for a few semesters you know how easy it is to get out of touch. Skip a few class session, miss a couple of assignments, what the heck, it's Spring. Then comes finals, final grades and (maybe) once again probation or worse.

This term find out where you are now. Some times this can be accomplished simply by talking to the instructor after a class session. If this isn't possible get the office number, cell phone number, or e-mail of who ever is doing the grading. Ask for some time. Say, "I'd like to take a few minutes to go over my grades so far." Then go to the arranged meeting and find out how you are doing. Are you up to date. Are all of your assignments so far turned in and graded. Are you test scores acceptable so far. Do you have a reasonable chance at this point to pass this class? This is what you want to know right now.

Bear in mind that a grade of C is an acceptable grade for passing most college courses. If you had designs on a higher grade well, what are you doing to earn it?

If you have a full schedule you don't necessarily need to do this check-up for every course. But there is probably at least one course that you are a little iffy about. That is the one to check on.

Your basic application.

In no long period of time on Planet College you'll notice you do a lot of applying.

Applying for jobs. Applying for internships. Maybe even applying for special programs. You may have noticed that basically the drill is essentially the same. If you recall from your original college application some information is continuously necessary. Name, address, phone number, date of birth are among the standards necessary on most types of applications. Additionally, employment applications often ask for previous employers and often ask for references.

For this reason Planet College once again suggests that as a busy student it is useful for you to keep a file. A file can be anything but a sturdy manila folder like the kind use for business is very useful. This file could contain your essential information plus clear copies of relevant documents such as your birth certificate. Also it is useful to compile a list of your employers. This list can contain the name of the business, the location, your supervisor with, if possible, a phone number and your position i.e. the type of work you did.

Another useful list is a list of references. At this point there are usually at least two kinds. One employment references and the list of employers above may suffice. The second is academic. This is a list of instructors who are familiar with your efforts as a student. This is useful because you may need this type of references should you apply for, as mentioned, an internship, an advanced course or degree or a scholarship.

Having all of this basic information available in one file can significantly expedite the many application processes that you as a student experience on Planet College

What is help?

Because most students on Planet College feel that by this point in their lives they ought to be able to handle anything, often even recognizing the need for help is difficult. Basically is there something in your life which is overall distracting you from completing your current term with passing grades? If you can identify something which you can't currently manage you may need help. Often these are seemingly trivial things which gradually have gotten out of hand. Noisy building, difficult instructor, unreasonable manager at work, these types of things are common, but, over time each, any or all of them can become stressful. Large things, end of a relationship, failing grade in a required course, cancellation of financial aid are major stressors. Major stressors are easily identified.

Whatever is the cause, events leading to a feeling of helplessness are usually a sign that you could benefit from help.

Now that we know the general outline of when help seems necessary, we need to learn what help actually is.

On Planet College we have a slogan about help. This slogan comes in the form of a riddle. The slogan is : What is Help? Then answer? Help is help. That is what help is. Any resource even remotely bearing on the subject can be considered help. Some times its obvious. When you're building gets too noisy talking with your RA couldn't hurt. Any other instructor might be able to help you see your way clear through a course with a difficult instructor. Difficult managers at work are often something that simply needs to be endured. Still talking with someone, anyone, about work can help.

Larger things, which usually involve sudden loss, call for help but on a more comprehensive scale. Help can be found through individual counselors or group counseling both of which are often available on campus and often at no costs.

What ever the cause there often is not any better help on Planet College than talking things over with a friend.

Then next thing we need to look at is how to ask.

Asking For Help.

As posted above Students on Planet College often have a difficulty recognizing when they need help. When you actually recognize that you do need help, the question that arises is whom do I ask. Often this depends on the nature of the difficulty. Is it financial? Is it academic? Is it personal? Whatever the difficulties, students often feel they should be able to deal with any problem on their own. . They think, by now, they ought to be grown up enough to handle everything. Yet problems persist.

When a problem becomes out of hand most student's stress level rises and their work, including school is affected.


After deciding, "Yes I need help." and even locating some resources the challenge then becomes simply asking. How does a student tell some one, " I think I need help." Sounds simple but often not easy. Here is a Planet college suggestion. Talk the situation over with a friend. Just simply say, " I think I need some help." Then talk. If they can listen fine. If they need to make suggestions fine. What is important is to hear yourself speak, out loud, about what is on your mind. Often a student is able to say, after talking it out, " You know it ocurred to me while I was talking, maybe I could . . .".

This can happen, but first the student needs to start talking about what is going on. Just ask someone to listen.

Planet College final suggestion: If you have no close friend currently it might be wise to try the Student Health Center. Whomever you find it can be a relief just to hear your self talking. Help is where you find it.

Staying off of The Paycheck Loan Wheel

Remaining off of the Paycheck Loan wheel usually requires some help. Initially, you may be unable to pay the outstanding balances on the paycheck loans. As suggested below contact the lender and discuss re-payment possibilities. It can be very helpful if you have a plan and even can make a payment, however small. If you do arrange a re-payment schedule be vigilant about sticking to this plan.

Now, as a student who works, you may still be borderline poverty stricken. You may not be aware that there are often sources of cash available on campus for students. Some colleges have emergency loans for registered students. Some departments have similar programs. At one campus locally these amount to $200.00 for part-time students and $400.00 for full time. Additionally, campus clubs and organization sometimes have a few bucks available for members. These funds are almost always loans. So, once again remember these loans have to be paid back.

There is more. Staying off The Paycheck Loan Wheel takes maintenance. This maintenance includes diligence and support. Clearly as a student you are almost always in need of money.
If you have survived The Paycheck Loan Wheel you have paid for an expensive lesson in personal finance. Recognizing this can assist you in developing an awareness of your spending habits. Since money management has now become a priority some assistance might be useful.

Locally, maybe even on your campus, there are groups and sometimes even individuals who can offer help to students with money management. Sometimes this help is a support group. Sometimes this help is counseling. Maybe even a friendly talk with someone on campus, a finance instructor, a financial aid worker, someone you know in the Bursur's office, could provide clarity.

Just to review; avoid any further short term debt. Arrange a realistic payment schedule for that debt which you have. Explore campus sources for short term cash help. Survey the campus community for individual or group financial management support. This help could be a class, a group or individual counseling.

And one final Planet College Tip. When ever you get any money, paycheck, gift, tip, grant, loan or whatever put some portion of it into your own personal savings account. No matter what and no matter how small, even if it is only a dollar, whenever you get any income at all put something into a savings account. This simple habit will definitely help your own money security factor.

That's it. Get off the Paycheck loan wheel through a doable re-payment plan. Stay off the Paycheck Loan wheel by getting help. Finally, Whenever you get any money at all put some in a savings account.

You know how hard you work. So you know how hard money is to get. Now you know money is even harder to keep than it is to get.

The Paycheck Loan Wheel: The Solution Starts

The solution to the frustrating paycheck wheel habit starts with stop. Don't do it. No matter how desperate you are - and especially if you have several of these working at once- don't do another one.

Next step, remain in communication with those from whom you have borrowed money. There is nothing more annoying to a lender, and that is what these places are really, than not being able to contact people who owe them money. Going to them first when you can't make the payment will demonstrate your good faith in eventually paying the money back. It often helps to tell them your are a student, that you are working as well as going to school. If you have already missed a payment or even several it is wise to prepare a plan to repay the past due money. It is also helpful to bring a friend with you for support.

The Paycheck Loan Wheel Really Continues.

After having used and paid the paycheck service a few times some students realize they are consistenly coming up short. One solution often employed is to get another loan from another service. This short term but convenient solution soon compunds the initial problem, a funds shortage. At times some students have applied for and recieved several "payday" loans simultaneously. At Planet College the record we've heard of is eight. Maybe you've heard of more. Maybe you've had more.
There is one primary tactic to this costly downward spiral. Stop. Stop getting those expensive short term loans. Especially if you are using one to pay another.
This may seem far far easier said than done. Especialy if the lenders can call you at work or at home reminding you your payment is past due.

If you are in this frustrating position you probably need some help. Help beyond just don't do it.

The Paycheck Loan Wheel Continues.

This is the paycheck wheel continuing story. Now that the student has the hundred dollars from the pay day enterprise they may freely and happily spend it on anything they want. Often though this money is for and emergency like a car payment, cell phone bill or credit card payment. Whatever. It is promptly spent. Gone.
Now time goes by. Usually until the student's next payday. ( This is usually when such payday advances are due.) The student is paid, the business deposits the post-dated check and zoom that money is gone from that student's account. The student's account is now minus one hundred and sixteen dollars.
This might be a simple and even helpful, albeit expensive, transaction if it weren't for a few Planet College Basics. First new costs for students are constantly ocurring. Second most student workers think in terms of their entire pay being available. Thirdly, a significant amount of money disappearing from your checking account is really discouraging.
These effects from this seemingly simple and convenient transaction sometime lead a student to repeat the transaction in order to make up for the shortfall from their current earnings. This is part two of The Paycheck Wheel.

The Paycheck Loan Wheel.

Most students on Planet College are employed. Mostly part-time but employed nonetheless. Some times more than one employer. And the end result, the idea, the purpose is a paycheck. This check is supposed to cover at least most of the ongoing expenses related to life and school. It seems it almost never does.
And that is where the paycheck wheel begins.
Nationally for some times businesses have been flourishing which offer payday loans. The are usually storefronts and they often provide additional financial "services" such as cashing checks, sell money orders.
The pay day loans are usually in the form of a post-dated check. This is the procedure. The customer writes a check for a certain amount. They then date it for sometime in the future. Usually this date is on or after the customer's next payday. The total amount of the check includes a fee.
Practically it works this way. A student needs some quick funds, say $100.00. They then got to the payday loan company and there usually fill out some paperwork. The paper work includes their employer and other personal financial information. Once this paperwork is processed they can write the postdated check. The check will include the check cashing fee. In the state in which this is being written the fee is commonly $16.00. Thus the total of the check is $116.00.
The student then leaves the business with $100.00. Some time later, usually after the students next payday, the business cashes the check.

That is how the paycheck wheel starts.

Who knows where you are going?

And when you'll be back? And all that other annoying stuff mom used to ask. But doesn't now because you are long gone from mom's. Well. For many students Planet College presents unparalleled opportunities for mobility. On Planet College you are free to go anywhere you can and you don't have to tell anyone either where you are going or when you'll be back. Spontaneous road trips, weekend getaways and overnight at a friends (or a total strangers) are common and unremarkable. Mobility such as this is extremely convenient. It can also be distracting. In the heady swirl of instant weekend vacations obligations are often over looked. Papers due? I can do it when I get back. Pets to feed? I'll leave a note for my roommate.
Sound familiar? With break looming it is time for another Planet College tip. Where ever you're going tell some one. Tell them when you are leaving, where you are going and when you expect to be back. If you're not in a place to call home and tell the folks then: Tell your RA. Tell your Coach. Tell your friend who isn't going. Make sure they have your cell phone number and you have theirs.
That way when plans change as they often do you can call, check in, and make any further arrangement necessary until your return. Before you leave tell somebody.

I really want that job.

But I haven't graduated yet.
This is the time of year when potential graduates start thinking seriously about their first "real" job back on Planet Earth. Those who aren't hooked up with a worthwhile employer begin earnestly searching for potential employers, sending out resumes and hoping to schedule interviews for a real career position.
The promise of finally working in some position other than part-time campus parking control associate presents a genuine stimulus for students to get on the stick about finally getting serious about their job search.
Simultaneous with this is a dilemma faced often by potential graduates. They haven't finished every course necessary for their degree. Many students walk through Commencement with some requirements pending. Some even walk through with many requirements yet to be met. Still, it can seem slightly unethical to put BA on your resume when you actually haven't got it yet.
This calls for a Planet College suggestion.
On your resume where your School, College and Degree are listed you can put either the year you will finish or you can put Pending. This means, for example, you will be 'walking' in May of this year. But you may not finish every course until Winter 2010. You can put BA 2010 or BA Pending. Of course, if you are finishing this year, only not till fall, you can legitimately put BA Fall 2009. This is candid, fair and ethical. It also puts your position clearly in front of any evaluator or potential interviewer at the companies where you are applying for work. Just a thought. Hope it helps.

Ok, So Highlight.

There is a previous post which essentially says don't highlight. Highlighting makes things obscure simply because highlighters are over used. There are occasional circumstances where Planet College recommends the careful use of highlighting. Class handouts, course syllabus and some course outlined material can benefit from highlighting. In the case of the handouts it is OK to use a highlighter to accent the essential important information. For your syllabus other essential things like contact information for the instructor and due dates for important assignments can be highlighted. In course outline material the same guidelines apply. Highlight essential information only. Where these materials are distributed on line print them out any way. Then when you have the printout proceed with the highlighting. Often enough on these types of materials whether distributed in class or on line there are a few essentials which could be highlighted. Dates and days are important, times are important, locations are important and required equipment and materials are important. Also the contact information for the instructor is important. As mentioned previously that information is location of office, office hours, and any contact information such as cell phone number or e-mail number. These essentials are the basics which might be highlighted. Other than that skip highlighting.

If your brain isn't cool.

Then you are not either. Brains are a very predictable organ. When they are cool they work very well. When they are not cool they don't. This is why. Your brain represents about seven per cent of your body weight. Your brain, however, uses about seventeen per cent of the oxygen that you breathe in. That is a lot. The reason is that our brains require a lot of oxygen to stay cool. The oxygen is supplied to our brain by our blood circulation. This is accomplished by our big blood pump, the heart. As you can tell the brain is a very jealous organ. It demands a lot of the heart and lungs. This is, as I've said, because it needs to run at an optimum temperature. That temperature is approximately 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. A steady flow of oxygenated blood effectively keeps our brains cool. The best way to keep our brains cool is to breathe. Deeply and regularly. We don't think about breathing much because it is an automatic process. Still it is wise to pause occasionally, especially while studying, and breathe deeply. Keeps your brain cool. And when your brain is cool it works.

Planet College Advisory: Highlighting

Ever found yourself pawing diligently through the used books stacks hoping to snag an affordable copy of a text book you need? Uh-oh. OK, here's one and it's almost cheap. Cool. Until you open it and find it has been so highlighted that it is almost unreadable. Highlighting when over done, and it nearly always is, is distracting. Distracting to the point of uselessness.
Here's a Planet College advisory. Don't highlight your text book. Instead use this simple system. Study with a number Two Pencil ain hand. When you come across a valuable, noteworthy or useful fact carefully place one check mark in the margin of the book. Place it along side of the paragraph containing the fact. With this method you can develop a system based on checks. One check for rather important, two checks for very important, three checks for extremely important. If the passage contains extensive information you may also consider underling important parts with your Number Two pencil. When you go back to review the material you will be able to quickly determine the relative importance of the material you are reviewing.
This method has another advantage. It is much easier to clean up a used textbook for re-sale when all it has is pencil markings.

Interest, Subsidised or Unsubsidised

Planet College is virtually awash in new to most students terms. Just the language of Financial Aid is significant and extensive. Financial Aid contains several terms which might be new to a student on Planet College. Two of these terms have to do with interest. Interest is the money you pay to borrow money. On most college loans there are two types of interest. Subsidised and Unsubsidised. When you take out a loan for most purposes, like a car for example, you usually begin paying it back immediately. This is not true for loans for school. Most of these loans are structured so you do not have to start making payments on your loan(s) until after you have finished school. In order to help students keep their debt total down the government initiated a system some time a go to allow students to defer the accumulation of interest on their loan while they are attending school. The federal government subsidises this interest until the student has graduated or discontinued attending school. This type of loan is called a Subsidised loan. There are also loans available under some circumstances which are called Unsubsidised loans. With this type of loan the interest begins accumulating as soon as the student receives the funds from the loan. When a student begins paying this type of loan, Unsubsidised, interest will already have been added to the total of the loan due. When a student begins paying back the Subsidised loan the interest will begin accumulating only then. This means that a "subsidised" loan will be cheaper than an "unsubsidised" loan.
Remember. Either way, subsidised or unsubsidised, loans are loans and they must be paid back. That is the word from Planet College

Screwin' around.

Screwin' around can become one of the favorite pastimes on Planet College. We've all done it. What is your favorite form? Video games instead of the lab report. One more Nine-ball game when you were supposed to be at class ten minutes ago. The list is endless. It can go on and on. It can assume many forms. Yes, even taking unnecessary courses to avoid declaring a major. One of the favored forms of screwin' around is coming up real soon. Spring Break. Authorized and even organized, raucous and loud, sometimes fairly costly. And you know what? It is all necessary. A certain amount of frolicking, procrastination and even outright irresponsibility is built in to our human selves. Most of us just have to goof off some time to some degree. When, however is it too much? Only you know. You know you are doing it. And you know when you are overdoing it. Screwin' around is often a necessary release of tension. A relief from the boring day to day drudgery that life on Planet College often can be. Give your self some slack when you just have to screw around. But. Don't give yourself too much slack. Keep your eye on graduation. With a degree. Get your diploma. Then? Well, then you can screw around as much as you can afford to. Right now? Keep the screwin' around to a minimum. Just graduate, baby.

Bored of Education?

Are you bored? In school. Do you stare out the window a lot. Are you unstimulated by your classes? Probably the answer, at least sometimes is yes. This is common. Sitting in a classroom under flourescent lights in a sometimes windowless room can be boring. The setting is provided in this manner to allow students like you to concentrate on the subject at hand. Often if the presentation is unimaginative and sometimes even when it is the result for a typical student like you is boredom. Then often sleep. When you look around especially in afternoon classes you see a lot of other students on the obligatory snooze cruise. Basically there is no antidote. Like life, much of what you do to become an educated person is repetitive and potentially boring. Through all this in order to complete your courses and graduate you must find a way to hang tough. Don't let boring classroom presentations defeat your quest for a degree. Part of the art of becoming an educated person is dealing with everyday boredom. Eventually you will be able to tell how worthwhile this is.

Planet college grade review.

All of your grades from last term have been posted by now. You've seen the results. And you've seen your GPA. How did it go? How did you do? Better? Better than ever? Better than average? Worse? Well? Here is another Planet College tip: Talk to the instructor of your lowest graded class. Now that there is nothing in it for you meaning, no hope of sucking up for a better grade, find her and ask her about your grade. Ask her about your performance in class, if she (or he) remembers. Track her down and campus sometime soon and say,'I'd like to talk about your class." Ask her what you might have done to earn a better grade. Just keep it a nice general friendly and brief conversation. Be polite and thank her for her time. Sometime later seriously review with your self what this instructor said. Did you miss important assignment dates. Were you not in class often. Did you sit near the rear entrance and IM your friends. How could you have improved your grade. It is probably just a few small things which can be easily corrected. Now that you know. Give it a try, you might learn something.

Orderly Withdrawls, when it all gets to be too much.

Life on Planet College is very, very demanding. Sometimes given our resources and continuing demands for our attention it can be too demanding. And we feel like quitting. This is understandable. We are limited, finite, human. When we not only feel like quitting but leaving school seems to be the most useful option there are some things to consider.
First of all you are probably stressed. The urge to quit usually occurs when somewhere inside we feel like we can't handle it. That is why it is probably a good idea to talk to someone. Someone who can listen and not judge. Sometimes its a friend. Sometimes not. On Planet College there are often a number of resources available to discuss your current life pressures. Counselors, former instructors maybe even whoever is covering the Interfaith desk this week in the Student Center. Whoever. It is simply useful and practical to find someone to talk it out with. Leaving school is a serious decision. It carries a lot of implications. Sometimes it is your best option. If you choose to do so, make sure you follow the guidelines required by your school. They are probably available at the Registrar's office. If currently college is more than you can handle you could probably use a break. While "quitting" sounds discouraging, it may be that a break for now can help you sort out your choices. Just remember. Don't just walk away. Talk to someone. If it still seems to be the way to go, follow your school's procedures for withdrawing. Get the forms, get the required signatures, turn them in to the appropriate offices. Also if you have time stop by and say thanks to instructors, coaches, office workers, your first RA, anybody who may have been helpful along the way. Remember you may want to return some time in the future.

Volunteer

This is a post to encourage you to find a way to volunteer for something this term. Planet College is mostly about finding enough time to do all the things you need to do to stay on track to graduate. Planet College is also about finding ways to get enough money to pay for school and sustain yourself until you graduate. This in itself is a pretty tall order. Still ,this post is to ask you to find time in your over busy schedule to give what you have with no thought of return. Not for more money, not for a better grade. Just you spending some time giving yourself, your talent, your interest, your time. For free. Sound foolish? Sound bothersome with all you have to do? Well, then maybe it is. Yet many students on Planet College have found volunteering to be uniquely rewarding. Rewarding beyond the usual expectations of return for effort.
Where to volunteer? The literacy campaign at the library. The local animal shelter. After school tutoring at a local school. Reading to a resident at the Senior Center. Sorting donations at the recycling center. There are lots of possibilities. Give it some thought. You may be surprised at the rewards. And who knows it might even be fun.

I think it's at my mom's.

A little further down there's a post called "Life. Now it can be yours". This is about record keeping. Birth Certificates, immunization records, passport, stuff like that. It says Keep a record as Planet College recommends. If you read it and said to yourself, "I think that stuff is at my mom's." that post was for you. If you've been around the campus for a few semesters you know that stuff comes up regularly in your annual life. Which is why Planet College recommends you get your own copies. Mom's are usually excellent record keepers. They've been doing it for you since day one. Of course they have a copy of your birth certificate, they were there. Sure your mom has your last TB shot record, she probably took you to the clinic. Now, though, it is time for you to become your own record keeper. If that stuff is still with your mom get it. That post was directed to you. This is part of the process of having your own life. Yes it is dull, grown-up stuff. But, it is important for you to do this for your self.

The Right School. The Wrong School.

Because of aggressive promotion by many schools in an effort to attract what they believe are quality students some colleges receive many, many applications. Thus many, many worthwhile students are rejected by their first choice. This leads to a general sense of disappointment which is normal following rejection. The ensuing depression resulting from this rejection and disappointment is something which needs to be addressed fully.

So here is the Planet College responses to the "right school / wrong school" dilemma:
You are in the right school, right now. There are many, many reasons that students are rejected by one college or another. Possibly the better term is "not accepted" by their first choice. If you have proceeded to a school and are now in that school you have acted wisely. Your degree or more accurately how you apply your college education is ultimately more important than the school you attend. This is often difficult to accept. Particularly if you had your sights set on one college in particular and aren't now attending that college.

You have the key to overcoming this situation by doing the best you can where you are. The only school you can do anything in is the school you are attending now. Right now. Review your schedule. Review your grades so far. Are you, in fact, doing as well as you can with what you have been given. This simple process is not easy. Being occasionally troubled by 'what ifs' is distracting and can become defeating if left unchecked. Counter this unhelpful trend by agreeing with your self that, right now, this school, this term is the best place for you to pursue your education. Let the rest, for now, take care of itself.

Need $, how about teaching?

Every student on Planet College needs money? It's continuous. In fact it will be a lasting need long after graduation. Right now most of us do several things to get money. Mostly some kind of work. Usually this work is part time. Well, still we could all use a little extra cash now and then so consider this. Teaching or tutoring? Surprised? Haven't thought of yourself as a teacher. Most average students don't. Still there may be some skill you have which someone will pay to learn. Martial Arts, Guitar, Cheer dance, there are lots of them. You can teach or tutor on your own schedule. Parents are often happy to have a college student assist their child with their homework or in a particular subject. By the way the difference between teaching and tutoring is the number of students. If you have one student at a time you are a tutor. If you have more than one you are a teacher. By this time you've been through enough teaching situations to know how it goes. Set a regular time for you lesson. Develop guidelines for the student or student. Find out what a fair fee to charge in your area for teaching your skills? Post a notice on bulletin boards virtual or real announcing that you are available. Remember this is money in your pocket directly. No middleman like your regular paycheck. YOU take care of it all. Give it some thought.

What's the Password?

Most of us on Planet College are pretty familiar with log-in passwords or numerical Id's as they are sometimes called. ,One to check your records on campus, another to access your credit union account on line, another and another and another. Every time a student starts another online well another anything they need a new password. ,These are often difficult to keep track of. ,It is pesky when you loose track of whichever password you need for this site and that site. So, here is a Planet College suggestion. E-mail your password or passwords to your self. E-mail those you don't use often and whenever you get a new one e-mail it to yourself. E-mails stay forever and the e-mail you send will also be stored in your "Sent e-mail" file. That way you will have them handy when you most need them.

Life, now it can be yours.

As you progress through Planet College you will notice that your life on Planet College requires a great deal of personal identification. More than likely you often require proof of personal identification such as your Driver's license, Student ID, Birth Certificates, Transcripts, Membership cards, Passport and numerous other details. Numerous other details include immunization records sometimes called shot papers.

Where are yours? Where are yours when you need them?

This is a repeat of an often repeated tip on Planet College which is: Keep a file. Use a manila file folders or better yet large manila envelopes. Within one keep the originals of such things as birth certificates and immunization records. Within the second keep copies of your birth certificate and any immunization certificates you may need. You may also need current transcripts which should be contained in one of these files. Label each of these Originals and Copies respectively.

The originals you hang on to and the copies you use to hand out when necessary.

If you do not have originals of the documents mentioned above then it is time to get on the stick and get them. Birth certificates are available from the state in which you were born. Often now they can be ordered on line.

Because of the current climate of heightened security such documents as these are often critical for purposes of identification when getting a new job or changing schools.

So, there. Another step through Planet College and back to Earth with your own real life.

Tax Time on Planet College.

Tax Time. It's coming. Just like everyone else student's have to pay. Federal, State and sometimes even local. Planet College, like the real world, is often about the money. OK. Where are your W-2s? They are the statement you get from your 2007 employer(s) showing how much money you made. They also show how much was taken to be applied to your income taxes. This part is called withholding. You will need your w-4's to file your income tax. You also need the form to file with it. There are several different kinds. If this is confusing or you are new to filing your own taxes it might be wise to get help. Sometimes campuses have help centers for student's filing income tax returns. It is a good idea to start now and collect all the paperwork you will need to complete your taxes. Remember to save your paperwork in a file folder. You can also save it in a large sturdy envelope. Mark it "Taxes 2007". Hang on to it. Sometimes this information is necessary to complete your financial aid file.

How much is your time worth?

Most students who work do better in school? Did you know that? Small consolation,huh? Still when you work you are trading your time for money. Money which never goes far enough. But how much money in reality do you get for your time? Ever look at your check, I mean the actual amount paid to you. Depending on where you work, some is paid to the government. Some is sometimes paid for retirement. Some is paid for health care. Some is paid for union dues. How much do you actually get that you can use? I figure it is about 8O% of what your quoted salary or wage is. Like if you were hired some place and they said,"OK this job pays ten bucks an hour." Maybe you were off of school on break or something and you can work forty hours a week. If you got paid every week what would your check actually be, $400.00? No, not likely. More likely it would be closer to around three hundred and twenty dollars. This would be your total after everyone else gets theirs. Bearing this in mind the next time you go to buy something like a CD think. Is this really worth the amount of time I spent to earn the money it costs?