Mid-Term Madness

Planet College understands that International Students sometimes feel overwhelmed while pursuing their college degree in the USA.  With this in mind Planet College regularly presents reminders which can be particularly useful for International Students. Especially if this is your very first term in the USA.
 Here's another one.
During this period of time in your school's term there have likely been mid-term examinations. This period includes assignments due and projects which are required.  The surge of activity does not at all reach the fever pitch which you will witness at the end of this term. Still this period, right now, is significant for your progress this term.  If you have been following this site you know Planet College has a wealth of helpful tips, suggestions, guidelines and information for International Students like you. One entry here suggests you discuss with your instructors your progress. Click on that link to learn how you can assure you are progressing satisfactorily.

TOEFL and you.

TOEFL, the test of English as a foreign language, is required for entrance to 2400 American Colleges and Universitys.  Additionally, many government agencies, scholarship programs and licensing certification agencies use this score to evaluate the English speaking abilities of non-native English speakers. A test this pervasive requires careful, thoughtful preparation for International Students to complete with success. With the TOEFL looming so significantly in your academic future - entering ' TOEFL' into the search engine of your choice will return thousands of sites-  becoming aware of  a few basic facts is helpful. Here they are.

The TOEFL is administered in two separate forms.  One is paper, The TOEFL PBT. The other is through the Internet, the TOEFL iBT.  You must take the the TOEFL at an authorized testing center. The cost of the TOEFL ranges from US $160.00 to US $225.00 depending on where you take the test.

The TOEFL is divided into four sections. Those sections are Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening.
Each section is evaluated and scored by both a computer program and a human.  For each section there are time allowances, usually between 60 and 100 Minutes.  Each section is scored separately and the separate section scores are then totaled to arrive at the students cumulative score or total score. There is no passing score for the TOEFL.  The significance of your TOEFL score depends on the score required for admission to the school or schools of your choice.

Due to the significance of the TOEFL for so many students Planet College reminds you that the basics of preparing and completing an examination apply to the TOEFL as well as any other test.

For useful hints to achieving your desired score use this link, a previous Planet College post.

Get Your BeachBucket - And All The Other Free Stuff

If you have spent any time at all on your campus you have, no doubt, observed the numerous displays, booths, card tables and friendly individuals offering you 'deals', usually including free gifts.

The presence of these company's' representatives, who present offers to students, is common at this time, the beginning of a new school year.  Companies, large and small, value college students as customers.  These company's presence on campus, usually part of an overall marketing campaign is to introduce you to their products or services. Their hope is if you try their product or service you will become a customer for a long long time.

The variety of offers can be dizzying. Automobile dealers, fashion retailers, phone plan providers and retail outlets all attempt to entice students with a variety of gifts, premiums and discounts. Often these gifts come with an offer.  The offer is usually an extension of  a discount, that is the product or service costs less than usual.  Along with this, as we have said, you may be given a gift, sometimes a small trinket like a key chain but sometimes a very useful object like a flash drive.

One popular gift with companies who sell grooming products; shampoo, body wash, deodorants, and such is a plastic bucket, a typical toy a child might get for the beach. But this bucket is different. It contains samples of the products which the provider hopes you will begin buying.

If you have been shy about accepting gifts like these from these businesses Planet College suggests you think again. You really are under no obligation to continue using the products when they run out. The gifts are free. And if you live in a residence hall the plastic buckets are handy for carrying your bathroom articles, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush and scrubbing sponge back and forth to the showers.

That is the Planet College tip today. Free stuff? Go ahead. Help your self.

New Term, New Choices

Planet College knows that for an International Student this time of year is among the most important times of your life in the USA.

New friends, new courses, new living arrangements and many personal details like banking, dining and parking, if you have a car, make this time among the busiest of the school year.

Among the many important choices to be made are the courses which make up your schedule for this term.  Whether your college schedules on the quarter or semester system the classes you take are at the core of your educational experiences.

If you have already made your choices, through pre-registration, available on many campuses, then you know where you will be and when you will be there. If you have not completed your class schedule it is time now to focus on that task.

If you find scheduling courses difficult you may need help. There is such help available on your campus usually through the offices of your major's department.  For example, if your major is Computer Science, it is likely that the office for this department has some advisers available to assist you in completing your schedule. Additionally, there is on your campus an Advising Office.  Most campuses maintain such an office and it's purpose is to assist students like yourself with completing their schedule.

If language is an issue, again, most campuses which admit International Students have language assistance available.

If these helps are not readily available do not be reluctant to ask for help.  If you are housed on campus your RA, the residential adviser in your building, may be a resource who will assist you. Also, the admissions office, which is probably located in the administration building on your campus, very likely has assitance for you.

Planet College consistently urges International Students, if you think you need help, ask.

Your Safety - Be Aware Of Your Campus Guidelines

Recent events reported in the news can lead to an alarming profile of America as a dangerous and violent place for International Students.  In some ways and in some cases this can be true.

With this in mind Planet College reminds you that your saftey can depend on the area in which you live but it more directly depends on how you conduct yourself.

As an International Student it is likely you will be residing in an area which is largely populated by students.  Universities located in major cities are frequently surrounded by neighborhoods of residences occupied by students.  In some towns colleges are the center of social and cultural interchange and commerce. These are the true college towns. One example, Athens, Georgia,  is profiled here in an article in the U.S. News and World Report.  As this magazine reports Athens, Georgia grew up around The University of Georgia, making it a real college town.

Whether you are attending or will attend a small college in a small town or a large university in a big, big city your safety is of paramount importance both to you and your school.

Your school will take helpful measures to assure your security while you are a student. Schools of every size maintain a security or police force with an office located on campus. This office now issues crime alerts to inform the campus community of crimes ocurring within or near the schools boundarys. These forces also patrol campus and are often clearly visibly in uniforms and marked cars.

Your school will provide you with guidelines for your safety and security. These guidelines are usually available on the schools website. Also you should receive a copy of these guidelines in the packet you received upon admission.  Universities also provide clearly marked telephones on campus which connect directly to the Campus Security Office.  Some campuses provide security escort and shuttle services for students to their residence or the schools parking area.

Even with these measures in place it is wise for you to further assure your security while you are a student.

First get a copy of your schools saftey procedures and read them carefully. The security office on your campus is aware of your needs and these guidelines will be helpful for you to maintain your saftery.

Program your campus security office number, the number for the campus police into your cell phone.

Do not go unescorted anywhere after dark.

Do not go anywhere you have not previously visited alone.

Do not respond either agreeably or coperatively to requests from strangers for help or even asking for directions. Refer them to the campus information office.

These basic guidelines can assist you in maintaining a your personal saftey while a student in the USA.

The Best American Holiday of All.

Next week presents an exciting opportunity for an International Student to practice English, make friends and have fun. Next week the USA celebrates The Fourth of July, the official national holiday dedicated to the birth of our country.

If you have not experienced The Fourth of July here you are in for a very exciting adventure. In the USA the Fourth of July  is celebrated with picnics, parades, and outdoor spectacles featuring fireworks.

If you venture out to parks or beaches near your campus you will see crowds of people, old and young, celebrating, playing games, dancing, eating and drinking.

This holiday has its historical roots in the events of July, 1776, when a group of men met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to determine the course of the colonies which they inhabited. Their decision was to become an independant country and they issued The Declaration of Independance to clearly establish their intention. Tradition says they issued this declaration on July 4, 1776.

Since that time the holiday has become the official observation of the founding of the USA and this celebration has expanded along with the country and is always celebrated on July 4th.

This year, because July 4th occurs on a Friday, you can expect weekend long celebrations. Among the traditions in which this holiday is based is that the USA is a Nation of  Immigrants, everyone here or their ancestors came from some place else.

Because you are now residing here, even as a citizen of another country, you are welcome to join in the celebration of this country's founding.  Go ahead and join the party.  It is a very good opportunity to practice your English, make friends and celebrate. Happy Fourth of July!

Your Friend On Campus or What Do I Say?

 Gen had been on his USA college campus for two terms. Gen arrived in August and attended the Interntional Student Orientation. He got setteled into the International House on campus with another international student roomate and began attending classes.

During the school year Gen did well in his subjects.  He attended school functions especially the basketball games at home which he really enjoyed. Gen's school is a small private college which takes great pride in their basketball team.

With his English improving Gen was able to volunteer to tutor at the math center and made a few friends there.

Now, however,  summer has arrived and the new friends Gen has made have left campus. Gen has remained on campus to take summer school courses which will enable him to graduate according to his plan.  Still with his friends gone Gen felt particularly lonely.

One morning while Gen was on his way to class a family, touring the campus, asked him for directions. Despite feeling a little awkward Gen provided the family with the directions they were seeking.  They thanked him and went on to their destination on campus.

Gen was privately surprised that he could be appreciated for the help he provided in English.  Then he hit on a plan.  After class he went back to his room and got one of his basic English guide books. It was a simple conversational lesson book.  The guide contains simple conversations like "Hello."How are you?  What is your name? is intended to provide basic English excercise.

Gen took his English guide book and walk around campus looking for some one who might help him with his English. His technique was simple. He walked up to another student, one he did not know and said, Do you have time to help me with my English?  When he found some one, which he did, he showed them his book and asked them to read through it with him.

It worked. Since he began using this method Gen has made several friends who are willing to get together with him to practice his English further.

If you are an International student who feels alone on your campus you might consider using Gen 's method. It worked for him. It may work for your.  Remember asking for help can be really helpful.

If you are wondering , " What do I say?" , it's simple.  Just say, " Could you help me with my English? " 

Good Luck!