The increasing difficulty of finding any kind of employment sometimes leads students on Planet College to consider other sources of finance. Some which have begun appearing with increasing regularity are offers of work for 'deferred pay". This means that you will work now and possibly be paid later. Possibly.
Money is hard to get and even harder to keep. The possibility of additional finances even working now for some money later is alluring.
But if your time energy and talent are worth anything at all they are worth being paid, paid real money, in a timely fashion, a lot closer to Now than Later.
Deferred pay, often contingent upon some payment to the concern that 'hires' you, is not a promising source of funds. Not promising at all.
No matter how 'lean' things are, and right now that is pretty lean, deferred pay will put no money in your pocket now and possibly none ever.
Those ads for 'deferred pay" ? Skip 'em.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Inter Session Winter Session or what ever it is called.
The usual holiday rush is almost upon Planet College. Almost, but not quite. Right now could be a good time to consider, if you haven't already, a Winter Session course.
The guidelines are simple.
Is there an available course which will help me graduate?
Will I be on or near campus, close enough to attend regularly?
How much will it cost and how can I pay for it?
When is the deadline for application?
Review these few simple considerations, basically your regular term considerations only concentrated, could lead to another step, however small, to graduation. And graduation is why you are on Planet College.
Check out the Inter Session, Winter Session or what ever it is called Schedule now.
The guidelines are simple.
Is there an available course which will help me graduate?
Will I be on or near campus, close enough to attend regularly?
How much will it cost and how can I pay for it?
When is the deadline for application?
Review these few simple considerations, basically your regular term considerations only concentrated, could lead to another step, however small, to graduation. And graduation is why you are on Planet College.
Check out the Inter Session, Winter Session or what ever it is called Schedule now.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Dumped or The Game of Hearts
Of all the games students down through the history of Planet College have played, such as Monopoly, World of WarCraft, Tequila Twister and 3D Scrabble none is more persistent than Hearts. Not the card game Hearts, although that is popular, the real life one, the one played on the Big Board of Real Life. In the Real Life Game of Hearts Dumped is the looser.
If you have played Hearts For Real on the Big Board and you have been dumped then you know that there is never a good time to be dumped. Dumped always happens at the absolutely, positively worst time.
What can a student do when they have been dumped? "Sorting through your options" sounds like one of those things therapists say. Most dumpees thoughts are not nearly so elegant if it is possible to think at all. Frequently the best option is to continue to march. That is to follow through as far as possible on what ever your regular routine has been. Naturally, if your regular routine has included a significant amount of time with the person who has dumped you, well, then, it is time for a new regular routine.
Dumped happens and the effect is unavoidable. Usual symptoms include at least some depressive reactions followed by some demonstrable excess. Depressive reactions included sleeping 24/7 and a significant drop in basic hygiene practices. Excesses include increased consumption of alcohol, ice cream and frequent sex with total strangers. These excesses are predictable and nearly unavoidable.
But when does excess become excessive? Well, if you become a very smelly 300 pound Reese's Peanut Butter Cup munching hermit who solicits strangers at the bus station while the rest of your class is planning their five year re-union you may be taking the whole thing a little too hard.
If you haven't then there is hope. Returning with some enthusiasm to as much of your regular schedule as possible can prove beneficial in the long run. As The Wiz says, "Just keep stepppin', don't you loose no ground, C'mon, Eeeeeeeaaaasssssseeeee on down the road."
If you have played Hearts For Real on the Big Board and you have been dumped then you know that there is never a good time to be dumped. Dumped always happens at the absolutely, positively worst time.
What can a student do when they have been dumped? "Sorting through your options" sounds like one of those things therapists say. Most dumpees thoughts are not nearly so elegant if it is possible to think at all. Frequently the best option is to continue to march. That is to follow through as far as possible on what ever your regular routine has been. Naturally, if your regular routine has included a significant amount of time with the person who has dumped you, well, then, it is time for a new regular routine.
Dumped happens and the effect is unavoidable. Usual symptoms include at least some depressive reactions followed by some demonstrable excess. Depressive reactions included sleeping 24/7 and a significant drop in basic hygiene practices. Excesses include increased consumption of alcohol, ice cream and frequent sex with total strangers. These excesses are predictable and nearly unavoidable.
But when does excess become excessive? Well, if you become a very smelly 300 pound Reese's Peanut Butter Cup munching hermit who solicits strangers at the bus station while the rest of your class is planning their five year re-union you may be taking the whole thing a little too hard.
If you haven't then there is hope. Returning with some enthusiasm to as much of your regular schedule as possible can prove beneficial in the long run. As The Wiz says, "Just keep stepppin', don't you loose no ground, C'mon, Eeeeeeeaaaasssssseeeee on down the road."
Had A Crazy Fight With The Manager
Amanda, who graduated with a degree in Business, now manages for a national lingerie retailer, the same store she worked in part-time as a student. In her current position she regularly interviews and hires CSRs, customer service representatives, for her store. A while back as she was reviewing a stack of applications for her chain's seasonal hiring she came across a curious notation. In the space designated for applicants to explain why they no longer worked for a previous employer, one applicant had written, "Had a crazy fight with the manager." Intrigued, Amanda called the applicant, a female student, for an interview along with several other candidates. During the interview Amanda found the applicant, who we will call Nikki, to be experienced, friendly and talky, very talky. When Amanda asked about the 'crazy fight' the job seeker responded, "Oh that is history and I am so totally over that." Amanda decided to give Nikki a try and hired her as temporary part-time help in the store's youth fashion section. Nikki's energetic personality and her tendency to talk ( and talk and talk) proved a perfect fit as she related well to the younger buyers the chain was trying to entice. Nikki has proven to be a worthwhile employee although Amanda does keep an eye on her.
What can a student learn from this? Well, first of all it, is probably not necessary to include potentially troubling details on any job application. While past experience is useful for a potential employer to know,( it can help them place you appropriately), you need to strike a balance between candor and discretion. When asked why you left a certain job "Scheduling conflict" will usually suffice. Although for this student a surprising statement at least got her an interview, for you, when filling out an application skip the "crazy fight" history. Give enough details to supply the potential employer with a general idea of your duties. Unless you are being hired as Director of a National Security Agency do not include derogatory information about yourself. In the case of a National Security Agency they probably already know.
What can a student learn from this? Well, first of all it, is probably not necessary to include potentially troubling details on any job application. While past experience is useful for a potential employer to know,( it can help them place you appropriately), you need to strike a balance between candor and discretion. When asked why you left a certain job "Scheduling conflict" will usually suffice. Although for this student a surprising statement at least got her an interview, for you, when filling out an application skip the "crazy fight" history. Give enough details to supply the potential employer with a general idea of your duties. Unless you are being hired as Director of a National Security Agency do not include derogatory information about yourself. In the case of a National Security Agency they probably already know.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The Lockstuffers.
It is done all over, lock stuffing. You've seen it, maybe even done it. Jamming a wadded up paper towel into the latch of a residence hall entryway or suite door or room to make coming and going easier. Easier than messing with that dumb card key which half the time you forgot anyway. That is if you are a lock stuffer. In some buildings it is all over but others not at all. Often depends on the RA. Some buildings the convention is the place is totally stuffed Friday pm for the party weekend. Then late Sunday or early Monday campus security does a walk through and unstuffs all the stuffed locks, back to a normal week.
Are you your buildings designated lockstuffer? Or are you the student who seriously has second thoughts about the whole deal?
Lockstuffing, along with underage drinking and flaming sofas falling past your dorm room window is a mainstay of the student experience on Planet College. Your feelings about it may not matter in your current environment. But if you are having serious second thoughts about lock stuffing or the general atmosphere in your building it is probably wise to talk to some one about this.
Locks are made for security. To limit accessibility to only designated people. Students often store several thousand dollars worth of possessions in their rooms. Easy access can mean easy theft, some times on a very large scale.
The subject of campus security is now a priority in higher education, it should be. Large populations of young people gathered for a specific purpose can be a target for intentionally criminal behavior. Not everyone who looks like a student is a student.
Locks serve as a general line of primary security. Yes, defeating them is easy. But that is not the point. You are paying a great deal for among other things your own security. While it may seem 'lame' to complain about or even mention lock stuffing to the RA or the housing office, it is your safety. Better to seem 'lame' than come back from a weekend and find most of your stuff has disappeared.
Are you your buildings designated lockstuffer? Or are you the student who seriously has second thoughts about the whole deal?
Lockstuffing, along with underage drinking and flaming sofas falling past your dorm room window is a mainstay of the student experience on Planet College. Your feelings about it may not matter in your current environment. But if you are having serious second thoughts about lock stuffing or the general atmosphere in your building it is probably wise to talk to some one about this.
Locks are made for security. To limit accessibility to only designated people. Students often store several thousand dollars worth of possessions in their rooms. Easy access can mean easy theft, some times on a very large scale.
The subject of campus security is now a priority in higher education, it should be. Large populations of young people gathered for a specific purpose can be a target for intentionally criminal behavior. Not everyone who looks like a student is a student.
Locks serve as a general line of primary security. Yes, defeating them is easy. But that is not the point. You are paying a great deal for among other things your own security. While it may seem 'lame' to complain about or even mention lock stuffing to the RA or the housing office, it is your safety. Better to seem 'lame' than come back from a weekend and find most of your stuff has disappeared.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
The Mid-Term Is Coming And Presentations Will Be Due
Experienced instructors on Planet College wisely use the resources of their students to further the instruction of the class. One classic method is class projects. That is some time during the course of the term each student is required to make an in class presentation about one aspect of the course. These presentations are usually scheduled to begin somewhere around the middle of the term. This is because the class first has to get a general grounding in the subject before a student can present an appropriately researched topic.
Depending on the course subject, students are assigned or else choose one particular area to expand and explain. If for example, the course is American History, The Civil War, a student may be assigned one battle or one personality such as a general to explore for the class. If the course is Gerontology, Powers of Attorney or Public Accommodations for the Aging may be assigned among many others. Geology students may be required to report on the results of a field trip. The possibilities are endless.
If this is all new to you here is a Planet College tip. Along with the topic which you may be assigned or may choose you may also be required to choose a date for your presentation. If you can choose a date for your presentation choose one around the early middle of the presentations.
The reasoning behind this is simple.
If you choose a time too soon it wont give you enough time to prepare. Mid-term is the time when a student suddenly seems to have a lot due including preparing for mid-term tests. If you choose a late presentation time the temptation is to put it off. Procrastination is insidious and any sign of "Oh I can do it later." must be addressed promptly. Scheduling your presentation early in the middle of the available dates gives you enough time to prepare but also enough pressure to make sure you will actually do it.
Depending on the course subject, students are assigned or else choose one particular area to expand and explain. If for example, the course is American History, The Civil War, a student may be assigned one battle or one personality such as a general to explore for the class. If the course is Gerontology, Powers of Attorney or Public Accommodations for the Aging may be assigned among many others. Geology students may be required to report on the results of a field trip. The possibilities are endless.
If this is all new to you here is a Planet College tip. Along with the topic which you may be assigned or may choose you may also be required to choose a date for your presentation. If you can choose a date for your presentation choose one around the early middle of the presentations.
The reasoning behind this is simple.
If you choose a time too soon it wont give you enough time to prepare. Mid-term is the time when a student suddenly seems to have a lot due including preparing for mid-term tests. If you choose a late presentation time the temptation is to put it off. Procrastination is insidious and any sign of "Oh I can do it later." must be addressed promptly. Scheduling your presentation early in the middle of the available dates gives you enough time to prepare but also enough pressure to make sure you will actually do it.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Make That Payment, IBR
Recent statistics from a group which monitors student debt have shown that more former students are defaulting on their now due loans. They fail to make payments. Failing to make any loan payments affects an adult's financial life for quite some time. The consequences are almost uniformly negative.
When a student agreed to accept a loan he or she also agreed to return the money, almost always with interest, in the form of payments, usually on a monthly basis. Lately some graduates faced with what appears to be a mountain of debt and their meager monthly earnings from that 'great' job they got after graduation have chosen to forego these payments.
If you are a former student and you managed to remain awake during the exit interview the last semester before you graduated you probably heard a lengthy explanation of your obligations regarding any student loans you have outstanding. During that presentation the presentor emphasized that you really did have to pay that money back no matter what.
Faced with virtual plague of non-payment lenders are devising methods to allow students to address their obligations practically. One method is called Income Based Repayment, IBR.
This method is exactly as it says; your schedule of payments is based on your income. Just that simple.
If you are currently stuck along with so many others in a low income or no income situation it is prudent for you to now look at your loan situation. If you haven't been making scheduled payments you may be in danger of or already in default. This situation can be remedied but first it must be addressed.
Your lender or lenders no doubt have on-line sites as well as eight hundred numbers. Promptly contacting them to discuss your status can do much to ease troubles down the road. During this discussion ask if they provide IBR, income based repayment. This program may be the means for you to remain in somewhat healthy financial status while you sort out your position.
IBR, call and ask. Might help.
When a student agreed to accept a loan he or she also agreed to return the money, almost always with interest, in the form of payments, usually on a monthly basis. Lately some graduates faced with what appears to be a mountain of debt and their meager monthly earnings from that 'great' job they got after graduation have chosen to forego these payments.
If you are a former student and you managed to remain awake during the exit interview the last semester before you graduated you probably heard a lengthy explanation of your obligations regarding any student loans you have outstanding. During that presentation the presentor emphasized that you really did have to pay that money back no matter what.
Faced with virtual plague of non-payment lenders are devising methods to allow students to address their obligations practically. One method is called Income Based Repayment, IBR.
This method is exactly as it says; your schedule of payments is based on your income. Just that simple.
If you are currently stuck along with so many others in a low income or no income situation it is prudent for you to now look at your loan situation. If you haven't been making scheduled payments you may be in danger of or already in default. This situation can be remedied but first it must be addressed.
Your lender or lenders no doubt have on-line sites as well as eight hundred numbers. Promptly contacting them to discuss your status can do much to ease troubles down the road. During this discussion ask if they provide IBR, income based repayment. This program may be the means for you to remain in somewhat healthy financial status while you sort out your position.
IBR, call and ask. Might help.
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