Constant anxiety sometimes amounting to dizziness around money is chronic on Planet College. Students have different responses to the stress of finances but ultimately the wisest course is to face your finance situation.
While it often seems true that there is no dilemma on Planet College that more money could not solve or at least reduce, more money is rarely an option.
With no more money on the horizon useful tools relating to finance are a welcome alternative. EdFund has such tools.
EdFund is essentially a student loan management organization. This particular organization through their website offers more than most. EdFund offers comprehensive news and information about student loans and finances. They also offer finance planning tools.
Finance, your own personal finance, is something you will be dealing with for the rest of your life. A good time to start is now. EdFund has useful tools, go there and check it out.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
"Spill Chick" Is Not Your Friend.
Your sitting in your English Comp Lit class or some class that requires a paper. It is the day that it is due and you are exceptionally proud because here you have it printed out neatly and ready to turn it. As the instructor calls for the papers to be passed forward you glance down and there, like a big sticky booger on your nice neat paper, is a really gross spelling error. After all you had done finally to, for once, turn a complete paper in on time.
Chances are you have fallen victim to the curse of Spellcheck. Most word processing programs have a feature which when cued will correct spelling errors. Students who have depended on Spellcheck or some such program have often done so to their regret. Usually, the frantic process of getting a paper printed out after laboring till two am does not allow for much personal copy editing. Busy students simply allow the auto-correction device to do it's job and turn in the results. Often this is to their regret.
The problem is all digital based tools are so coldly logical that what they present as a correction often makes no sense. So in the course of a final revision for print, for example, spell check becomes spill chick and who has time to review.
Frustrating.
That haste leads to mistakes on Planet College is not news. There may, however, be help. If you have time, and that is the tough part, take your "final" print and your tired butt to someone who is reasonably alert for a real final review. Who this might be-well- your roommate's girlfriend, one of the nice ladys who staffs the library check out desk- someone. Ask them kindly to please go over your paper to check for any obvious errors. Not to "correct" it for content or facts, simply to spot obvious errors that your weary eyes did not detect. Hopefully there will be few. Your tasks then is to make the indicated corrections and get your now nearly immaculate "final" final printed out so you can hand it in.
Remember, as with all things on Planet College, ask for help. Spill chick is not your friend.
Chances are you have fallen victim to the curse of Spellcheck. Most word processing programs have a feature which when cued will correct spelling errors. Students who have depended on Spellcheck or some such program have often done so to their regret. Usually, the frantic process of getting a paper printed out after laboring till two am does not allow for much personal copy editing. Busy students simply allow the auto-correction device to do it's job and turn in the results. Often this is to their regret.
The problem is all digital based tools are so coldly logical that what they present as a correction often makes no sense. So in the course of a final revision for print, for example, spell check becomes spill chick and who has time to review.
Frustrating.
That haste leads to mistakes on Planet College is not news. There may, however, be help. If you have time, and that is the tough part, take your "final" print and your tired butt to someone who is reasonably alert for a real final review. Who this might be-well- your roommate's girlfriend, one of the nice ladys who staffs the library check out desk- someone. Ask them kindly to please go over your paper to check for any obvious errors. Not to "correct" it for content or facts, simply to spot obvious errors that your weary eyes did not detect. Hopefully there will be few. Your tasks then is to make the indicated corrections and get your now nearly immaculate "final" final printed out so you can hand it in.
Remember, as with all things on Planet College, ask for help. Spill chick is not your friend.
Friday, February 12, 2010
You'll Get Mail
A large part of progress on Planet College consists of communication. Most but not all of this communication is accomplished by what are now traditional electronic means, e-mail, cell phone and the rest. However the US Postal Service is still in operation and some communication is still accomplished by mail.
The Planet College topic of the day is Where do you get your mail?
Most student's are so mobile that for a time at least after leaving for Planet College they leave it to mom. This is a semi-effective strategy. This means when you finally get back home there is some mail for you on your bed or dresser or on the table in the hallway. You sift through the pile swiftly mainly looking for letters from relatives who still send you money for your birthday. Finding none you toss the rest. This has been the procedure so far but if your old enough to buy alcohol at the campus keg with your real id then it might be time to start getting your own mail.
The question is where?
The mom filing system has worked ok so far so why change? (If mom is not only filing but also opening your mail then you or she or both of you have issues that we won't deal with here.) Unless you are moving off campus to a place which will be your residence your choice is to get a mail box at one of those mailbox places. It is an additional expense which is something to consider. However, it is your life and part of the progress of, as by now you have heard so often, taking responsibility for your life is getting your own mail.
One more thing to consider on Planet College.
The Planet College topic of the day is Where do you get your mail?
Most student's are so mobile that for a time at least after leaving for Planet College they leave it to mom. This is a semi-effective strategy. This means when you finally get back home there is some mail for you on your bed or dresser or on the table in the hallway. You sift through the pile swiftly mainly looking for letters from relatives who still send you money for your birthday. Finding none you toss the rest. This has been the procedure so far but if your old enough to buy alcohol at the campus keg with your real id then it might be time to start getting your own mail.
The question is where?
The mom filing system has worked ok so far so why change? (If mom is not only filing but also opening your mail then you or she or both of you have issues that we won't deal with here.) Unless you are moving off campus to a place which will be your residence your choice is to get a mail box at one of those mailbox places. It is an additional expense which is something to consider. However, it is your life and part of the progress of, as by now you have heard so often, taking responsibility for your life is getting your own mail.
One more thing to consider on Planet College.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Pass That Math Class
The purpose of your education is to increase your potential earning power once you have returned to Planet Earth with your degree. Right now your pursuit of your degree is taking precedence over just about everything in your life. Your degree will be granted when you have completed the necessary course work. At this exact moment you are involved in the usual term load. This load consumes your day to day behaviors. At times the day to day of Planet College causes student to lose sight of the eventual goal. This is inevitable. Right now all you really need to do is pass your classes this term. This can be a little trickier at times than it sounds, as some of your grades from past terms have shown. By now you know some courses are harder than others.
For many students some required math classes are difficult and intimidating. You know this if you have attempt your required math course and either dropped or received an unsatisfactory grade. If you've had this experience and are this term once again attempting that required math course this is a brief outline of how you can significantly increase your chances of passing .
Attend Every Class Meeting.
That is self evident. You really need to be at every class meeting if you want to pass this class this term.
Get Help.
This term go to the math help lab. The one they always talk about at the beginning of the term. It is probably in the math building and there is help there. Bring your book, your homework and your quizzes. Develop and follow a regular schedule to use this important resource.
Save Your Quizzes.
Most lower division math courses feature daily quizzing. By now you are very familiar with this procedure. It is commonly a five or ten problem quiz at the beginning of the session. These are handed back corrected with your score. They are very useful to keep you aware of how you are doing. Take them to the math help lab when you go there for your help session.
Go With The Winners.
Students like to complain. It helps to relieve stress. Some students are very good at it and some of them are even very funny. Sitting around the student center entertaining each other about how difficult this course is and what a so-and-so that instructor is is a hallowed tradition on Planet College. This term, for this course, at least, don't do it. Do not involve yourself with any students who are complaining about their courses and especially the math course you are trying to pass. The reason is simple, subtle but simple. Your math esteem, that is your estimate of yourself as a math student, is very, very fragile. In order for you to solidly increase your chance of passing this math class associate your self with students who are seriously attempting to pass their courses, especially their math courses. This is what is meant by going with the winners.
Apply these principles steadily and consistently and your chances of passing this math course will be greatly increased.
For many students some required math classes are difficult and intimidating. You know this if you have attempt your required math course and either dropped or received an unsatisfactory grade. If you've had this experience and are this term once again attempting that required math course this is a brief outline of how you can significantly increase your chances of passing .
Attend Every Class Meeting.
That is self evident. You really need to be at every class meeting if you want to pass this class this term.
Get Help.
This term go to the math help lab. The one they always talk about at the beginning of the term. It is probably in the math building and there is help there. Bring your book, your homework and your quizzes. Develop and follow a regular schedule to use this important resource.
Save Your Quizzes.
Most lower division math courses feature daily quizzing. By now you are very familiar with this procedure. It is commonly a five or ten problem quiz at the beginning of the session. These are handed back corrected with your score. They are very useful to keep you aware of how you are doing. Take them to the math help lab when you go there for your help session.
Go With The Winners.
Students like to complain. It helps to relieve stress. Some students are very good at it and some of them are even very funny. Sitting around the student center entertaining each other about how difficult this course is and what a so-and-so that instructor is is a hallowed tradition on Planet College. This term, for this course, at least, don't do it. Do not involve yourself with any students who are complaining about their courses and especially the math course you are trying to pass. The reason is simple, subtle but simple. Your math esteem, that is your estimate of yourself as a math student, is very, very fragile. In order for you to solidly increase your chance of passing this math class associate your self with students who are seriously attempting to pass their courses, especially their math courses. This is what is meant by going with the winners.
Apply these principles steadily and consistently and your chances of passing this math course will be greatly increased.
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