Grad School Grad Rates.

If this coming school year pretty much figures to be your last, finally, you may be thinking in terms of a graduate program, Grad School.

Finding your way through the survival course that has been your time on Planet College may have strengthened your confidence in your abilities as a student. You are far from freshman confusion and sophomore bravado and now have a realistic basis to judge your abilities as a student.

If your college experience has prompted you to now consider graduate school there is one basic statistic you are well advised to research. That statistic is the graduation rate of the students admitted to any graduate program you may be considering. Graduate programs commonly admit more students than eventually graduate from the program. The components of this attrition aren't far different from the factors that have caused undergraduates, some you probably know, to leave school. Cost of attendance, inability to adjust to the demands of college, and even simply the need to get to work also influence graduate students. Same simple effect applies, fewer students graduate than are admitted.

You now know all it took to get admitted to your current school. These same procedures will definitely apply to a graduate school admission. Once again it is smart to visit the campus where the program you are considering is presented. Make time, do that and while you are there be sure and check with the program administrator or co-ordinator or who ever you can find who knows. Ask how many student's are admitted and ask how many usually graduate. It's important.

It is your time.

Your time is priceless, irreplaceable. Effective use of it is the swiftest way to your goal, graduation. Effective use of time is an art. On Planet College there are numerous distractions. Distractions which can lead to an ineffective use of your precious time.
Most institutions of higher learning are aware that students can benefit from guidance, guidance of all kinds including time use.
At a large state university in Southern California, Dr. Tom Stevens, a counselor has developed a system based on his experience with students. It is based on priorities established by the students themselves. The University of Texas offers time planning to its education majors. Virginia Tech offers time planning in its study guide for students. Princeton too, like most other Ivy League schools and in fact most all schools offers time management instruction. There is a good chance that your school also offers some course or counseling or guidance which features the essential elements of time management or planning. Look into it. It might be through counseling, advising or the education department among others. It is definitely worth your time, and it is your time.

Summer Dreams

Planning is a useful habit and Planet College is a useful place to develop that habit. By now it is obvious that not everything can be planned but somethings can. Knee deep in snow does not lend itself to planning for summer. Dreaming of Summer yes, planning, not so much. But. Summer is coming and some preparation now could be useful then. The opportunities of Summer are pretty well established. More hours at work, another job. Summer school class, an internship. They will be there. Which will there be for you?

Right now, one step toward a productive summer plan could be check out internships on line, the ones that start in June. The pre-req you've been meaning to take but haven't been able to fit in to your schedule, find out if it will be offered this summer. Departments often have their schedules set for Summer by now.

If you will be going back home this Summer do you have a job lined up? If you don't, you can start looking now. Snow does promote Summer Dreams, but it is your actions that make them come true. Summer is coming, act now.

Try EDFund

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.

To do and to don't.

Around this time of the term it is common to find yourself writing lists. Usually of things to do. These lists help clarify daily activities which need to be accomplished. There are many such methods available on line and they are usually under some time management heading. Most students have some method of compiling these lists from sophisticated day runner multiple reference overlay or iPhone apps to a short list scribbled on the back of a Domino's receipt.

However you do this, it is important that you do. Do a list. Do a 'to do' list. Some lists are too general, i.e. "file taxes." Others are too specific containing tasks the student might be doing anyway like "brush teeth". Unless it is unusual or uncommon for you to brush your teeth it is probably not necessary to write down such mundane tasks.

Still your list is your list. And if commonly occurring mundane tasks give you a feeling of getting some thing done then write them and do it. Some list is better than no list at all.

Not often found but equally effective are don't lists. This negative approach can actually jar a student into a greater level of awareness. Don't park in the dean's parking place, don't forget the paper for Comp Lit. Don't spend your share of the rent on Jeager, stuff like that. Dont's are important too.

If you are not familiar with the common 'to do' or less common 'to don't' lists then right now get a piece of paper and write down three things you can do today toward your graduation. Three things. Simple.

However you do it and what ever your approach get to it. It is that time of year.

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.