Tip Tuesday

How to Prepare for a Job Fair

Job Fairs are an excellent way to meet a large number of potential employers at one time. Job Fair attendance is useful because it gives you an opportunity to network, pass out copies of your resume, and improve your communication and interview skills.

JOB FAIR TIPS

1. Research Companies – Do your homework. Visit the Career Services Career Fair website for a list of participants to find out in advance who will be attending the Job Fair. Visit the organization’s web sites or read current business articles to learn more about their products, missions, annual budgets, and organizational structure. This will enable you to ask better questions of the company representatives.
2. Prepare Your Resume/Portfolio – Bring lots of copies of your resume. Have your resume reviewed prior to the Job Fair. Bringing a few selected work samples can make a positive first impression on a prospective employer.
3. Present a Professional Appearance – Dress up. Conservative, tailored, business-like clothing is best. Pay close attention to personal hygiene and grooming. Minimal make-up and jewelry. Avoid perfume and/or cologne. Recruiters are watching and listening to determine if you act professionally. Smile.
4. Check Your Attitude – Be optimistic, but have realistic expectations. You will meet employers who are interested in hiring in your field. There may not be immediate vacancies, but when openings occur, the employer will think of you because of your first impression.
5. Practice Your Introduction – Is your handshake a “floppy fish” or a bone-crunching experience? Practice your handshake. Rehearse a brief introduction. Be able to tell the employer about your immediate career goals.
6. Have strategies – Make an “A” list (favorites/must meet) and a “B” list (nice to meet – if time permits). Go to a few “B” list employers first to practice your introduction and questions. Then you’ll be warmed up and feel more confident when you will meet your “A” list recruiters.
7. Avoid long lines – Don’t stand in long lines. Check out the companies without a lot of people lined up. Try to meet the recruiters during down times (especially in the morning or lunch time). You’ll get more of their attention and be able to learn more about the company and hiring opportunities.
8. Gather information - Request a business card from each employer or ask for their name and title. Pick-up all company literature so you can review it after the job fair.
9. Follow-up After the Interview - Follow-up within a week with a letter to each employer that you met. Include the date and time you met, a review of one or two of your primary qualifications with a reference to your knowledge of the company and a request a formal interview.

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Tip Tuesday

Time management: Tips to reduce stress and improve productivity

Effective time management is a primary means to a less stressful life. These practices can help you reduce your stress and reclaim your personal life.

Do you find yourself overwhelmed by the number and complexity of projects that need to be completed at work each day? As the day flies by, do you often feel as if you haven't paid enough attention to each task because other tasks keep landing on your desk, co-workers interrupt you with questions or you can't get it all organized?

You probably know that managing your time effectively will help you get more done each day. But it has important health benefits, too. By managing your time more wisely, you can minimize stress and improve your quality of life.

But how do you get back on track when organizational skills don't come naturally? To get started, choose one of these strategies, try it for two to four weeks and see if it helps. If it does, consider adding another one. If not, try a different one.

• Plan each day. Planning your day can help you accomplish more and feel more in control of your life. Write a to-do list, putting the most important tasks at the top. Keep a schedule of your daily activities to minimize conflicts and last-minute rushes.
• Prioritize your tasks. Time-consuming but relatively unimportant tasks can consume a lot of your day. Prioritizing tasks will ensure that you spend your time and energy on those that are truly important to you.
• Say no to nonessential tasks. Consider your goals and schedule before agreeing to take on additional work.
• Delegate. Take a look at your to-do list and consider what you can pass on to someone else.
• Take the time you need to do a quality job. Doing work right the first time may take more time upfront, but errors usually result in time spent making corrections, which takes more time overall.
• Break large, time-consuming tasks into smaller tasks. Work on them a few minutes at a time until you get them all done.
• Practice the 10-minute rule. Work on a dreaded task for 10 minutes each day. Once you get started, you may find you can finish it.
• Evaluate how you're spending your time. Keep a diary of everything you do for three days to determine how you're spending your time. Look for time that can be used more wisely. For example, could you take a bus or train to work and use the commute to catch up on reading? If so, you could free up some time to exercise or spend with family or friends.
• Limit distractions. Block out time on your calendar for big projects. During that time, close your door and turn off your phone, pager and email.
• Get plenty of sleep, eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. A healthy lifestyle can improve your focus and concentration, which will help improve your efficiency so that you can complete your work in less time.
• Take a time management course. If your employer offers continuing education, take a time management class. If your workplace doesn't have one, find out if a local community college, university or community education program does.
• Take a break when needed. Too much stress can derail your attempts at getting organized. When you need a break, take one. Take a walk. Do some quick stretches at your workstation. Take a day of vacation to rest and re-energize.
• Ask for professional help. If you're too frazzled to think about trying any of these tips, it's time to ask for help. Does your life feel totally out of control? If so, contact your employee assistance program (EAP) at your workplace for assistance, or discuss your situation with your doctor.

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Making It Big Monday

Time Management in The Workplace: 5 Quick Tips for Newbies in the Workforce

As a newbie in the workforce, time management in the workplace is an important skill that you must possess. It can determine the not just your career success but your work life balance.
Being new in the workforce, sometimes it can get quite stressful especially when you are learning new roles and responsibilities. You need to juggle a few things at the same time and you also seek to have a life out of the office.
Completing jobs assigned in the workplace in the highest standards is a key determinant of career success. This is where time management in the workplace comes into play.
These are some time management in the workplace tips you should be conscious of if you want to increase efficiency:

1. Understand Roles
Be sure you understand your own role and responsibilities in the office. This helps when work is assigned to you. Being new in the workplace - you may not know what is needed and expected of you. This can cause delays and hence hamper your efficiency.
Have you been given a job scope? If it is a special project for which you have been pulled in, do you know what are the expertise expected of you? Clarify to avoid wasting time. The first time management in the workplace advice is to understand your roles and those of your colleagues.

2. Do The Important And Urgent First
The second time management in the workplace tip is to prioritize your tasks at hand. Inevitably, you will be asked to complete a few tasks at the same time. There will also be situations where colleagues or clients would come in with last minute requests.
Prioritize your work. Do not overwhelm yourself with too long a to-do list. Many newbies pursuing career success make the wrong assumption that the more they complete at work the better it is for them. This is not necessarily so. Too long a to-do list may cause you to procrastinate on starting the work.

3. Do Not Waste Time
One of the biggest mistakes with a to-do list is that there is no time allocated for each task. I often make this mistake early on in my career - a list of to-do things but without an estimated time attached to complete each of them. Hence the list becomes a source of stress at the end of the day.
 I also realize that it wastes a lot of time. You end up pending too much time on a task that may have needed less time than what you have spent to complete.

Time management in the workplace includes being conscious of time robbers. For example, taking long tea breaks, long smoking breaks, chatting on the phone and surfing on the Internet. Realize that these ‘luxuries’ have a price tag attached to it – your career success.

4. Do It Right The First Time
How many times have you seen fellow colleagues fighting mini crisis that can be avoided if only someone gets it right the first time? Whatever you are doing, get it right the first time. Have a high personal standard that says nothing leaves your hand unless you know you have done your best.

This time management in the workplace tip while easy to understand, is not easy to practice. Chances are that as a newbie pursuing career success you will have a tendency to rush through your work assuming that speed is a surrogate measurement of efficiency. Not so, quality of work is important too.

5. Do It Now
Another common time management mistake for those new at the workplace is procrastination. There are many causes of procrastination. If you feel you have the necessary time management skills but still find yourself procrastinating then you may want to find out the causes and address them.
One quick and simple way of time management in the workplace is to do the task immediately. Do not over rationalize and craft the perfect plan. A good plan executed today is better than an excellent plan not executed at all.
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Making It Big Monday

Work-Life Balance Defined - What it really means!

Despite the worldwide quest for Work-Life Balance, very few have found an acceptable definition of the concept. Here's a proven definition that will positively impact your everyday value and balance starting today.

Let's first define what work-life balance is not.

Work-Life Balance does not mean an equal balance. Trying to schedule an equal number of hours for each of your various work and personal activities is usually unrewarding and unrealistic. Life is and should be more fluid than that.

Your best individual work-life balance will vary over time, often on a daily basis. The right balance for you today will probably be different for you tomorrow. The right balance for you when you are single will be different when you marry, or if you have children; when you start a new career versus when you are nearing retirement.

There is no perfect, one-size fits all, balance you should be striving for. The best work-life balance is different for each of us because we all have different priorities and different lives.

However, at the core of an effective work-life balance definition are two key everyday concepts that are relevant to each of us. They are daily Achievement and Enjoyment, ideas almost deceptive in their simplicity.

Engraining a fuller meaning of these two concepts takes us most of the way to defining a positive Work-Life Balance. Achievement and Enjoyment answer the big question "Why?" Why do you want a better income…a new house…the kids through college…to do a good job today…to come to work at all?

Most of us already have a good grasp on the meaning of Achievement. But let's explore the concept of Enjoyment a little more. As part of a relevant Work-Life Balance definition, enjoyment does not just mean "Ha-Ha" happiness. It means Pride, Satisfaction, Happiness, Celebration, Love, A Sense of Well Being …all the Joys of Living.

Achievement and Enjoyment are the front and back of the coin of value in life. You can't have one without the other, no more than you can have a coin with only one side. Trying to live a one sided life is why so many "Successful" people are not happy, or not nearly as happy as they should be.

You cannot get the full value from life without BOTH Achievement and Enjoyment. Focusing on Achievement and Enjoyment every day in life helps you avoid the "As Soon As Trap", the life dulling habit of planning on getting around to the joys of life and accomplishment "as soon as…."

My caffeine source is diet cola. But I'm a somewhat fussy diet cola drinker. I don't like cans or bottles, I like fountain. And there is a big difference in fountain drinks. So I know all the best fountains within a five-mile radius of my house and office. My favorite is a little convenience store near my home called Fitzgerald's.

Let's say I'm wandering into Fitzgerald's at 6 in the morning, in my pre-caffeinated state and the implausible happens. Some philosophical guy bumps into me, and says…. "Heh mister… what's your purpose in life?" Well even in that half-awake condition, I'd have an answer for him. I'd say, "You know, I just want to achieve something today and I want to enjoy something today. And if I do both of those things today, I'm going to have a pretty good day. And if I do both of those things every day, for the rest of my life… I'm going to have a pretty good life."

And I think that's true for all of us. Life will deliver the value and balance we desire …when we are achieving and enjoying something every single day…in all the important areas that make up our lives. As a result, a good working definition of Work-Life Balance is:

Meaningful daily Achievement and Enjoyment in each of my four life quadrants: Work, Family, Friends and Self.

Ask yourself now, when was the last time you Achieved AND Enjoyed something at work? What about Achieved AND Enjoyed with your family; your friends? And how recently have you Achieved AND Enjoyed something just for you?

Why not take 20 minutes on the way home from work and do something just for yourself? And when you get home, before you walk in the door, think about whether you want to focus on achieving or enjoying at home tonight. Then act accordingly when you do walk in the door.

At work you can create your own best Work-Life Balance by making sure you not only Achieve, but also reflect the joy of the job, and the joy of life, every day. If nobody pats you on the back today, pat yourself on the back. And help others to do the same.

When you do, when you are a person that not only gets things done, but also enjoys the doing, it attracts people to you. They want you on their team and they want to be on your team.


Simple concepts. And once you focus on them as key components of your day, they are not that hard to implement. So, make it happen, for yourself, your family and all the important individuals you care about…every day for the rest of your life… Achieve and Enjoy.

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Top Job Thursday

10 Best-Paid Skilled

Labor Jobs

 

Skilled labor jobs can pay well, even very well. Yet, many young people feel the pressure to get a college degree and don't consider hands-on labor. Fortunately, a growing movement hopes to get younger workers enthused about building, fixing, and installing.
Mike Rowe of the popular TV series "Dirty Jobs" says, "Tradesmen need fans, regular people who understand the magnitude of their work, the impact of their chosen profession, and the importance of their skill." What this country needs, according to Rowe are more people willing to take the time to master heating and air-conditioning, electricity, creating solid foundations, smooth roads, and functional plumbing.
Ross Porter, President of IRWIN Tools based in Huntersville, North Carolina asserts, "A job in a skilled trade is a solid, decent and admirable way to support a family. To work with one's hands-to build something-always has been and always should be commendable."
Are you interested in earning high pay while working with your hands? Here's a list of the top 10 most highly-paid jobs that have the most potential for growth, according to PayScale.

1. Wind Turbine Technician
Average Salary: $67,500 per year
Wind turbine service technicians, also called wind techs, are responsible for repairing and maintaining the complicated machinery inside wind turbines. Their work can be as simple as changing light bulbs or as complex as repairing a circuit board. The field is so new there isn't an official certification track yet, however according to the American Wind Energy Association, the amount of energy provided by wind turbines grew by 39 percent each year between 2004 to 2009. Get ready to be blown away by your pay. With five to eight years of experience some techs can earn over $84,000 per year.

2. Plumber
Average Salary: $51,600 per year
This career is about much more than fixing leaky toilets. Plumbers install and repair the water, waste disposal, drainage, and gas systems in residential, commercial and industrial buildings using a variety of materials from copper to cast-iron. They must be able to follow building plans or blueprints and instructions from supervisors, lay out the job, and work efficiently with materials and tools. There's room for creativity as plumbers have become more involved in the design process of water and waste systems. No wonder highly-skilled professionals can take home over $92,000 per year.

3. HVAC Controls Technician
Average Salary: $51,000 per year
Without workers skilled in the science of heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, we wouldn't be able to control the temperature, humidity, and the total air quality in residential, commercial, industrial, and other buildings. They also help with the storage and transportation of food, medicine, and other perishable items. Many HVAC technicians will specialize in either installation or maintenance and repair, but must first train to do both. High school students interested in this career should take courses in shop, math, mechanical drawing, applied physics and chemistry, electronics, blueprint reading, and computer applications.

4. Elevator Mechanic
Average Salary: $49,900 per year
Mechanics are responsible for assembling, installing, maintaining and replacing elevators, escalators, chairlifts, dumbwaiters and moving walkways in new and old buildings. They must complete a four-year apprenticeship offered by local joint educational committees representing the employers and the union-the International Union of Elevator Constructors. The good news is that job prospects and salaries are looking up in this industry. Top earners make about $96,700 with over five years experience.

5. Maintenance Supervisor
Average Salary: $48,800 per year
You'll find maintenance and repair workers in almost every industry, and with them comes their supervisor. Responsibilities include supervising, troubleshooting and project management of machines, mechanical equipment, buildings, plumbing, electrical, and air-conditioning and heating systems. Many supervisors get their start right out of high school. Courses in mechanical drawing, electricity, woodworking, blueprint reading, science, mathematics, and computers are useful and education at a technical college is an important part of training.

6. Construction and Building Inspector
Average Salary: $48,000 per year
Got an opinion on those potholes on the interstate? How about your neighbor's sloping porch? If so, a career as an inspector is right up your alley. You'll examine buildings, highways and streets, sewer and water systems, dams, bridges, and other structures for compliance with building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications. About 44 percent of inspectors worked for local governments but plenty of home inspectors are self-employed and make their own hours.

7. Project Supervisor, Construction
Average Salary: $46,600 per year
Independent types who want to manage a team and a project yet still work for themselves will be in good company as the BLS finds over half of construction supervisors are self-employed. Far from working alone, managers work with owners, engineers, architects, and others to coordinate and supervise construction from the concept through final build,the project gets completed on time and within budget.

8. Bricklayer
Average Salary: $46,200 per year
Talk about staying power: the buildings, fences, roads and footpaths crafted by brickmasons, blockmasons, and stonemasons often outlast the individual because of the durability of concrete, stone and brick. The work itself ranges from simple masonry on walkways to complex installations of exteriors on a highrises. Training often happens on the job as an assistant to carry materials, move scaffolding and mix mortar. Learning restoration skills such as cleaning and pointing are essential to becoming a full-fledged craftsman. Registered apprenticeship programs usually last between three and four years.

9. Refrigeration Mechanic
Average Salary: $45,600 per year
You won't have to worry about becoming a desk jockey if you pursue a career as a refrigeration mechanic. Your "office" can be in any number of places including homes, stores, hospitals or factories that need installation, service, and repair of refrigerating systems. On the job, mechanics are required to read blueprints, design specifications, and manufacturers' instructions to install motors, compressors, condensing units, evaporators, piping, and other components. Systems must also be charged with refrigerant and checked for proper operation and leaks.

10. Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET)
Average Salary: $45,500 per year
If you are fascinated by how things work, this could be the job for you. BMETs maintain, adjust, and repair every kind of healthcare machinery from patient monitors and defibrillators, to X-rays, electric wheelchairs and eye testing equipment. With the strength of the healthcare industry, this is a great occupation to pursue. Be prepared to head back to school if you want to work in this field. Employers generally prefer applicants with an associate's degree in biomedical equipment technology or engineering. Go for a four-year degree if you want to advance.

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Tip Tuesday

Your First Year of College: 25 Strategies and Tips to Help You Survive and Thrive Your Freshman Year and Beyond

Perhaps you were class president in high school. Or perhaps you were a member of the honor society. You could have graduated in the top percentile of your graduating class; perhaps you were even valedictorian. Maybe your were in the honors program or the International Baccalaureate program. Actually, it doesn't really matter what you did in high school as you make the transition to college. High school success (or lack of it) doesn't automatically apply to college.

You start college with a clean academic slate, along with a lot of independence and a myriad of critical decisions as you begin the transition into adulthood. The decisions that you make and the actions you take during this first year of college will have a major impact on the rest of your college experience.

According to American College Testing (ACT), one in every four college students leaves before completing their sophomore year - and nearly half of all freshmen will either drop out before obtaining a degree or complete their college education elsewhere.

But wait! This article is not meant to scare you or take away any of the joy, excitement, and anticipation you feel about going to college. Quite the opposite. This article is all about the things you need to do to not only survive your first year of college, but to thrive in college. And many of the tools, skills, and habits you develop through this article can not only be used to help you succeed in college, but in your future career as well.

The first few weeks on campus are extremely critical for all new students. It is during this time that you make critical decisions that will have an effect on the rest of your life. Some of these 25 tips are critical during your first weeks, while the others are meant for longer-term guidance and survival. Whatever you do, be sure to be yourself and try to enjoy your college experience as much as possible. Expect to feel some stress and homesickness, but don't let these issues wear you down.

1. Go to all orientations. Do you really need to go on yet another campus tour? Yes. The faster you learn your way around campus -- and around all the red tape -- the more at ease you'll feel and the better prepared you'll be when issues arise.
2. Get to know your roommate and others in your residence hall. The people you live with, most of whom are going through similar experiences and emotions, are your main safety net -- not only this year, but for all your years. You may change roommates after the first semester or you may stay roommates for all four years -- just take the time to get to know your fellow first-year students.
3. Get Organized. In high school, the teachers tended to lead you through all the homework and due dates. In college, the professors post the assignments -- often for the entire semester -- and expect you to be prepared. Buy an organizer, a PDA, a big wall calendar -- whatever it takes for you to know when assignments are due.
4. Find the ideal place for you to study. It may be your dorm room or a cozy corner of the library, but find a place that works best for you to get your work done -- while avoiding as many distractions as possible.
5. Go to class. Obvious, right? Maybe, but sleeping in and skipping that 8 am class will be tempting at times. Avoid the temptation. Besides learning the material by attending classes, you'll also receive vital information from the professors about what to expect on tests, changes in due dates, etc.
6. Become an expert on course requirements and due dates. Professors spend hours and hours preparing course syllabi and calendars so that you will know exactly what is expected of you -- and when. One of the lamest excuses a student can give a professor: "I didn't know it was due today."
7. Meet with your professors. Speaking as a professor, I can assure you there are only upsides to getting to know your professors, especially if later in the semester you run into some snags. Professors schedule office hours for the sole purpose of meeting with students -- take advantage of that time.
8. Get to know your academic adviser. This is the person who will help you with course conflicts, adding or dropping courses, scheduling of classes for future semesters, deciding on majors and minors. This person is a key resource for you -- and should be the person you turn to with any academic issues or conflicts. And don't be afraid of requesting another adviser if you don't click with the one first assigned to you.
9. Seek a balance. College life is a mixture of social and academic happenings. Don't tip the balance too far in either direction. One of my favorite former students always used to say her motto was to "study hard so she could play hard."
10. Get involved on campus. A big problem for a lot of new students is a combination of homesickness and a feeling of not quite belonging. A solution? Consider joining a select group -- and be careful not to go overboard -- of student organizations, clubs, sororities or fraternities, or sports teams. You'll make new friends, learn new skills, and feel more connected to your school.
11. Strive for good grades. Another obvious one here, right? Remember the words of the opening paragraph; while good grades could have come naturally to you in high school, you will have to earn them in college -- and that means setting some goals for yourself and then making sure you work as hard as you can to achieve them.
12. Take advantage of the study resources on campus. Just about all colleges have learning labs and tutors available. If you're having some troubles, these resources are another tool available to you. Another idea: form study groups.
13. Make time for you. Be sure you set aside some time and activities that help you relax and take the stress out of your day or week. Whether it's enlisting yoga techniques, watching your favorite television shows, or writing in a journal, be good to yourself.
14. Don't feel pressured to make a hasty decision about a career or a major. It doesn't matter if it seems as though everyone else seems to know what they're doing with their lives -- believe me, they don't -- college is the time for you to really discover who you are, what you enjoy doing, what you're good at, and what you want to be. It's not a race; take your time and enjoy exploring your options.
15. Take responsibility for yourself and your actions. Don't look to place the blame on others for your mistakes; own up to them and move on. Being an adult means taking responsibility for everything that happens to you.
16. Make connections with students in your classes. One of my best students said his technique in the first week of classes was to meet at least one new person in each of his classes. It expanded his network of friends -- and was a crucial resource at times when he had to miss a class.
17. Find the Career Services Office. Regardless of whether you are entering college as undeclared or have your entire future mapped out, seek out the wonderful professionals in your college's career services office and get started on planning, preparing, and acting on your future.
18. Don't procrastinate; prioritize your life. It may have been easy in high school to wait until the last minute to complete an assignment and still get a good grade, but that kind of stuff will not work for you in college. Give yourself deadlines -- and stick to them.
19. Stay healthy/Eat Right. A lot of problems first-year students face can be traced back to an illness that kept them away from classes for an extended period of time that led to a downward spiraling effect. Get enough sleep, take your vitamins, and eat right. If you haven't heard the jokes about college food, you soon will. And without mom or dad there to serve you a balanced meal, you may be tempted to go for those extra fries or cookies. Stay healthy and avoid the dreaded extra "Freshman 15" pounds by sticking to a balanced diet.
20. Learn to cope with homesickness. It's only natural that there will be times when you miss your family, even if you were one of those kids who couldn't wait to get away. Find a way to deal with those feelings, such as making a phone call or sending some email home.
21. Stay on campus as much as possible. Whether it's homesickness, a job, or a boyfriend or girlfriend from home, try not to leave campus too soon or too often. The more time you spend on getting to know the campus and your new friends, the more you'll feel at home at school. And why not take advantage of all the cultural and social events that happen on campus?
22. Seek professional help when you need it. Most colleges have health and counseling centers. If you're sick or feeling isolated or depressed, please take advantage of the many services these offices provide students. You don't have to face these issues by yourself.
23. Keep track of your money. If you've never had to create a budget, now is the time to do so. Find ways to stretch your money - and as best you can, avoid all those credit card solicitations  you'll soon be receiving. The average credit card debt of college grads is staggering.
24. Don't cut corners. College is all about learning. If you procrastinate and cram, you may still do well on tests, but you'll learn very little. Even worse, don't cheat on term papers or tests.
25. Be prepared to feel overwhelmed. There's a lot going in your life right now. Expect to have moments where it seems a bit too much. As one student says, be prepared to feel completely unprepared. The trick is knowing that you're not the only one feeling that way.

Final Words of Advice for First-Year College Students

You've done all the prep work -- you've gotten good grades in high school, scored well on a standardized test, and been accepted into the college you want to attend -- so enjoy all your hard work while laying the groundwork for a successful college career. Don't be a statistic; be determined to make it through your freshman year -- and beyond. Take advantage of your network of new friends and professors, have fun while learning as much as you can, and get the most out of your college experience.

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Tip Tuesday

50 Tips for College Success

I was a college student for 11 years (getting four degrees, including a PhD, will do that to you). I'm also an adjunct professor, so I've been at the other side of the classroom as well. Here are 50 things I've learned from being a college student and a professor. (I've also written a book on ADHD and college success, but I digress.)

1) The Freshman Fifteen does exist. So does the Freshman Twenty. Watch how many starches and processed foods you are eating.

2) Pizza -- the ubiquitous college snack. See #1.

3) If it's either take out a loan or quit school, take out a loan. The more time you take off from college, the lower the chances are of you returning to it.

4) If you can live harmoniously with someone in a 20×20 ft. space, you can do anything.

5) Flip-flops: Wear them in the dorm shower. Always.

6) Always attend the *real* class, and use the Internet one for review.

7) If you are not a morning person, don't schedule classes for 7am. You will not go.

8) Get involved on campus. All work and no *productive* socializing is boring.

9) Too much socializing = bad grades. Everything in moderation.

10) If you are feeling overwhelmed, are having problems sleeping, or have gone through a breakup, visit your college's counseling center. If you are feeling suicidal at any point, call your college's crisis center number or call 911 immediately.

11) There are a lot of free activities on campus. Take advantage of them.

12) Many colleges have free tutoring centers on campus. Take advantage of them.

13) Sit near the front of class.

14) Attend the whole class. Even if you feel like you will just die if you sit there any longer. Even if you feel your brain start to ooze out the side of your ear. Because we (professors) can give some really important info at the end of class.

15) Recopy your notes after class. Or if you've typed them (which is recommended), do a quick read-through after class.

16) Remember that although you are 18, your college may have the right to contact your parents if you are caught drinking underage.

17) Don't do anything stupid (read: illegal). It will go down on your permanent record. Seriously. At every college you apply to after this one. (I will probably get some pro-legalization comments on this one. My reply: Colleges don't care if you are pro-legalization if you are busted for possession. It will still go on your record and will create difficulties for you for years to come.)

18) Register for classes as early as possible. Early bird catches the worm and all that.

19) See how your first semester goes before you consider getting a job. See how heavy your course load is first.

20) Find a bank that also has branches in your hometown. Get your account connected to your parents' account so they can transfer money to you.

21) Use direct deposit and automatic withdrawal for paychecks/loanchecks/check checks. Less chance of you losing it.

22) Use virus protection and firewalls on your laptop.

23) Don't use a credit card. If you *must* get one, get a prepaid card or have a really low credit limit.

24) Reconsider bringing a car to campus your first semester. It can be a pain to park.

25) Pack the clothes you need for college, and then take half of that amount.

26) The more underwear you have, the less you have to do laundry. (Also known as the "Panty Postulate".)

27) If you are doing laundry on campus or at a laundromat, stay with your clothes. Otherwise they may walk off while you are gone.

28) I can't emphasize this enough: INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO YOUR PROFESSORS AND GO TO THEIR OFFICE HOURS. This is so important, I'll tell it to you again: INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO YOUR PROFESSORS AND GO TO THEIR OFFICE HOURS. We're nice people. Seriously. And we really like it when someone is interested in our classes.

29) Use the college's career resource center -- not just when you are going to graduate, but when you are figuring out what you want to do with your life. It's a free service. Use the free services.

30) For the love of God, please, please do not leave candles burning in your dorm room or apartment. Or those incense burning thingies. Bad things happen when those are left on.

31) If you have a tendency to be messy, your roommate may be compulsively neat. The general rule is that the messier you are, the more neat your roommate will be. Try to pull it together. Especially regarding food. Always throw out leftover food. That's just gross, messy or not. Learning how to adapt to someone else's living style is a wonderful learning experience. Really. And if you complained about having to share a room with your siblings while you were growing up, when you get to college you learn that you are actually ahead of the curve.

32) Stay on campus on weekends. If you go home every weekend because you are homesick or have a girlfriend/boyfriend back home, you will be missing out on a lot of the college experience.

33) Get your flu shots. Yearly.

34) Use condoms. Every time. (I'm assuming that some commenters might reply that abstinence should be recommended instead. My reply to that: College students will continue to have sex, no matter how many times someone tells them that abstinence is best.)

35) Long-distance relationships are a challenge to keep up when you are away at school.

36) If you get that "ick" feeling that you shouldn't be doing something or shouldn't be somewhere, stop doing it and get out of there.

37) You may feel like your parents are hovering too much. Look at it this way: they've been taking care of you since you were a baby. That doesn't just stop. Cut them some slack. The more independent and wise decisions you make on your own, the more they will have confidence in your abilities as an adult.

38) Just because you and your roommate were friends back home doesn't mean you will be compatible roommates. You find out new things about people when you are sharing a small space. But you can work it out. Even if you and your roommate are total strangers and are completely different - you may become great friends.

39) If your roommate is doing something that bothers you, ask yourself the following three questions: 1) Am I being reasonable in being bothered by this? 2) What's the best way to talk to my roommate about this? 3) What are some solutions to this issue? If all else fails and the issue is very important to you and you've talked to your roommate to no avail, talk to your Resident Assistant.

40) Practice safety. Don't walk home alone in the dark. Walk with someone. Many campuses have services where you can call and someone will walk back to your dorm with you.

41) Just because you *can* do something doesn't mean you should.

42) Use flashcards to quiz yourself when studying. And get someone else to quiz you with them. If you always quiz yourself with your own flashcards, you may skip over some that you don't know the answer to.

43) You may not know what you want to do for a major. It's okay. There are people much older than you that still aren't sure what they want to do with their lives. That's okay. See your academic adviser for help. Pay attention to which classes you really look forward to -- that can be a clue as to what you might want to major in.

44) If you have a dining card/pass - do not treat all your friends to lunch and dinner. That is real money. Real money that you will be asking your parents for when it runs out.

45) Study groups can be helpful -- but keep it to between 3 and 5 members (including you). More than that, and it turns into a social event.

46) If you have ADHD or a learning disability, apply for accommodations as soon as possible - even right after you find out you've been accepted to school.

47) Sleep. Get it. Get enough. You may be laughing at this, being a college student and all...but you need to get enough sleep.

48) Wash your hands. Often. Living in the dorms is a communal living experience. Germs love communal living.

49) Keep in touch with your friends from back home, but be open to meeting people of all different cultures and interests.

50) Enjoy your college experience - it's one most rewarding experiences of your life, academically and socially.

Dr. Sarkis is the author of "Making the Grade with ADD: A Student's Guide to Succeeding in College with Attention Deficit Disorder". 

To view original article CLICK HERE

Making It Big Monday

Top 10 Tips for College Success

Each year at this time, a new group of students go off to the exciting and challenging experience of pursuing their college education. The first year can be a difficult adjustment. They're faced with more independence, more challenge and more responsibility than they've ever had before. Many succeed, but many don't. Based on my clinical experiences with bright, capable students who have dropped out of college or have been placed on probation, I have put together some guidelines for success from my book, "How to Parent So Children Will Learn," (Great Potential Press, 2008) that can ensure a college student's success.
I usually include this column before school begins each year as a reminder to new students. You may want to read these yourself or give them to a new college student you know and love.

Here are my Top 10 Tips for college success:
1. Never miss a class — no matter how boring or irrelevant you believe it to be. You've paid for this education, so you might as well get your money's worth. The lecture or explanation you miss may become the exam question you don't quite remember learning or the surprisingly idea that leads you to a career. Students who have dropped out usually initiate their problem by increasingly missing classes.

2. Plan to study at least two hours for each hour of class time. Colleges recommend this guideline; take their advice literally. If you procrastinate early, it will be impossible to catch up at the end of the semester.

3. Structure your study time on a calendar or organizer for at least one week ahead of time. Visualizing the time allocated for study will lessen the tension you feel.
 4. If you're struggling with course content, find help before you fail. Writing labs, tutors, study groups and counseling abound on college campuses. No one is going to take you by the hand for help; you will have to initiate the search, but there is plenty of willing and free help available. Even students who earn A's often seek tutoring.

5. You could be disappointed in your grades, even when you've studied hard and have always been an excellent student. Try not to think about comparing yourself to others who may have received better grades. That will only make you feel less adequate. Instead, concentrate on studying more effectively and efficiently and doing your best. A-grade students may have helpful study pointers you can learn. Be sure to use the study guides provided by your professors.

6. Schedule exercise time for at least three times weekly. Daily exercise is even better. Exercise will help you feel alert and in control, providing a wonderful tension release.

7. Plan for brief social time daily and a little more on weekends. Good college students do not take whole weekends off. Don't over-allocate your social time. There will always be more than you plan for. Remember, alcohol and other drugs don't mix well with study. Marijuana absolutely adversely affects motivation!

8. Develop and keep regular healthy eating and sleeping habits as much as possible. Fatigue and poor nourishment will only increase your feelings of being overwhelmed.

9. Many college students temporarily struggle with anxiety and depression while in college. Free counseling services are typically available on campus. Don't hesitate to go for help.

10. Finally, don't even consider dropping out of college. Your college degree will make a positive difference for the rest of your life.

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Top Job Thursday

Top 10 In-Demand Social Media Jobs & Services

1. Social Strategist

Social strategists are generally social media specialists who are in charge of creating the “big picture” behind an organization’s overall social media communications. They decide which social media outlets will be pursued, how much money can be dedicated to social marketing campaigns and design the framework from which an organization will pursue social media from an internal perspective.

2. Community Manager

Community managers are social media specialists that focus their time and attention on the maintenance of the friends and fans that an organization has accumulated. This could include major tasks like developing new polls, comments, surveys and discussions or relatively minor considerations like moderating comments and approving new posts. The greater the membership or subscriber base is, the more time and effort this will take.

3. Social Media Analytics

One of the most difficult aspects of monetizing social media stems from the fact that it can be difficult to measure the impact and results that originate from a specific campaign. Recently, there have been a number of innovative tools and programs that have been introduced into the social media sphere that empower the organization at the helm to track every user, evaluate which poll questions get the best results and ultimately how many of the social media network members are making the conversion to hot prospects or customers.

4. Social Media Design Specialist

Things look different on social media website than they do on a personally branded website. Because of this, special design skills and insights are necessary to insure that a business is able to keep their brand messaging and imaging cohesive. Add to this the fact that the design constraints vary between Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+ and you can easily translate building social media integrated experiences into a full-time job.

5. Social Media Developer

Social media developers are chiefly in control of deciding which features and add-ons are incorporated into the overall marketing strategy. Additionally, it is the social media developers job to insure that from a user-experience point of view, all sites link and integrate well together for a seamless transition from your blog to your website to your Twitter feed and Facebook fan page. Developers will often work in conjunction with a design specialist team, so having both of these skills can give you distinct edge in the marketplace.

6. Content Programmer

Businesses that are serious about maximizing the value of social media don’t approach content creation haphazardly. Just like many newspapers and magazines, savvy social media players are creating editorial calendars that allow them to build up the content that will be distributed both internally and externally. Writers with a strong background in project management and social media can translate these skills into a lucrative career.

7. Social Influencer Relations

All fans and followers are NOT created equal. As a matter of fact, there will be certain members in every following who qualify as “social influencers”. These individuals generally have a massive following in the social media sphere or are well-known and established bloggers. Businesses that want to use these highly influential voices to their greatest advantage take time to court them and curry favor. Social media experts with any type of public relations backgrounds can turn this into a highly specialized service and build an impressive personal and professional network along the way.

8. Social Reputation Management

Unless a business’s social media profiles are set up so that comments and interactions are submitted for approval before posting, disgruntled or mischievous posters can use their own walls and profiles against them. Just think about what can be said about businesses or organizations on other people’s profiles, blogs or websites. If you are a Boolean buff or have incredible Internet research skills and know the ins and outs of digging up the dirt on an organization or their company members, reputation management could spell success for your financial future.

9. Fan Finder

If you possess stellar list building techniques and strategies it won’t be hard to market yourself as a Fan Finder. The typical small business owner hardly has the time to invite friends and deliberately grow their followers. Some of them barely have time to sit down and eat lunch! While there are few jobs on the market as a Friend Finder, it is a potentially lucrative service you can offer as a self-employed pro.

10. Social Bookmarking Specialist
This is another service versus “job”. Social bookmarking is incredibly popular. One of the most popular social bookmarking hubs out there is StumbleUpon. However, there are hundreds of others available. A quick visit to the following website http://bluesearchmarketing.com/social-bookmarking-sites-list/ will show that there are dozens upon dozens of them out there. Even if you just picked the top ten or fifteen, you could easily offer this service as a freebie to draw in new business into one of the other social media services on your menu.

To view original article CLICK HERE

Top Job Thursday

Where the jobs will be

Economic uncertainty, the spectre of a jobless recovery and debt crises threatening the eurozone — no economy stands immune from the instability.
But there are bright spots amid the gloom.
Jobs by the tens of thousands are opening in the Canadian mining industry — one of the top five sectors expected to be hiring in 2015, trend analysts say. Canadian job forecasters also predict employment growth in oil-and-gas, health care, construction, and information and communications technology.
The trick is to match education with employment.
On formal post-secondary education, Canada ranks No. 1 in the world, according to the Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, or OECD, which calculates college and university graduates as a percentage of population.
To increase the chance of landing a post, young people training for a career — or employees re-training for a transition — might want to consider an industry whose openings are almost certain to expand. Here’s a look at some of the top spots to be in by 2015.

Health Care Services:
This sector makes everybody’s Top 5 list.
“The society is aging — everybody knows that,” said professor David Livingstone of the University of Toronto’s Centre for the Study of Education and Work.
“Therefore gerontology, the care of the aged — there will be more jobs in that area, a growing need,” he said.
Health-related occupations, from nurses to technicians, were already deemed to enjoy among the lowest unemployment rates in the country in 2010, according to a recent job-trends report by analyst Roger Sauve, of People Patterns Consulting near Cornwall.
Job prospects go way beyond doctors and nurses, said Michelle Dunnill, Toronto branch manager for the job-tracking firm Manpower. Physiotherapists, medical laboratory technologists, administrative staff and non-clinical support workers of all types are bound to be in demand.
“With increased government spending, training in health care is a great choice looking to 2015,” Dunnill said. “Health care has become one of the fastest growing and in-demand career fields in the world.”

Construction and Skilled Trades: An aging population also factors in the demand for construction workers and skilled trades, said Michael Burt, head of industrial and economic trends at the Conference Board of Canada.
“Trades workers are older, on average,” he said. “There have been fewer people going into apprenticeship programs, (creating) a healthy demand.”
Prior to the 2008 recession, the construction sector saw strong wage growth and scarcity of some types of workers, Burt said. During the recession, unemployment in the sector jumped, he said, but has since dipped below the national average.
Particularly in Manitoba and Alberta, demand for construction and skilled trades workers is expected to grow, said Manpower Group’s Dunhill.
“Heavy equipment operators, industrial mechanics, industrial electricians, building trades, steel and iron workers, automotive trades, welders,” she said to name a few types in demand.
“Economists are saying the skilled trade worker shortage may affect Canada’s ability to compete on a global market,” she said.

Information and Communications Technology: Between now and 2015, more than 120,000 jobs will have to be filled, said David Ticoll, director of the Canadian Coalition for Tomorrow’s ICT Skills.
“Half (the hires) will be to fill new positions and half will be to replace people who have left the field, due to leaving the workforce or shifting to non-ICT jobs,” he said.
Occupations waiting to be filled include designers of new technologies — cyber security and data analysis, for example — and especially management jobs that combine business and technology skills, including IT managers and chief information officers.
“The Canadian population who required computer literacy in their jobs went from around 30 per cent in the late 1980s to more than 90 per cent now,” said U of T professor Livingstone. “The interesting point is that people are more likely to say they are overqualified for the jobs available in terms of computer skills than underqualified.”
After landing a job, many Canadians face a further challenge, he said.
The next step for the overqualified is not just to adapt to the position available.
“The point would be to use whatever job you are able to get in imaginative ways,” the professor said, “to make it a richer job, a more fulfilling job in terms of your talents and, hopefully, in terms of rewards from your employer.”

Mining and Oil-and-Gas: Half the mining workforce is eligible to retire in the next 10 years, meaning that — even without growth in mining — the industry is forecast to need more than 112,000 new workers in that period.
If commodity prices rise, the mining sector would need more than 140,000 new workers in 10 years. In the oil-and-gas industry, Alberta Oil Sands expansion accounts for much of the anticipated growth.
“We expect to see (job) growth almost double the average for the economy as a whole,” Conference Board of Canada analyst Burt said this week of the mining and oil-and-gas sectors. In his analysis, the construction and health care industries fall into the same category.
Mining companies will be looking to hire for 66 key mining occupations, says the 2011 forecast by the Mining Industry Human Resources Council.
Demand is expected to be high for everybody from welders and industrial electricians, to geologists and civil engineers, to human-resources and financial managers, the report says.

To view original article CLICK HERE

10 Tips for Success in School

1. Eat Breakfast

2. Wake up 15-30 minutes earlier in the morning

3. Get a good night's sleep

4. Prepare everything the night before i.e. lunch, lay out clothes

5. Stay organized

6. Create a routine, and stick to it

7. Review your notes and homework

8. Eat healthy snacks, low sugar

9. Work out

10. Don't be afraid to ask questions

AN

Perfecting Public Speaking

Typically, contact and structure are less of a problem for presenters than is the issue of style; as only 7% of the words you say make it to the audience. When presenting the most important aspect keep your presentation free of negative behavior. Eliminate anything that detracts from communicating solid, benefit-oriented information in an engaging format.

Which type of speaker are you:

The Slow Talker speaks at an unnaturally halting rate that makes the audience want to jump out of their seats with impatience.

The Low Talker speaks quietly, generally with eyes cast down. This awkward shyness eventually makes the audience so uncomfortable they forget what is being said and concentrate on the speaker’s embarrassment instead.

The Droner just doesn’t know when to stop. The presentation goes on endlessly, with no respect for the audience’s time.

The Double Talker presents a few substantiated facts and tends to over-promise. His or her proposals sound too good to be true.

The Techie presents too many details and little bottom-line content. Techies often get bogged down with charts and graphs that are difficult to read and understand.

The Stiff stands behind the podium with hands folded, reading from a script, making few if any gestures, and simply bores the audience to death.

The Apologizer destroys his or her credibility by making excuses, often right at the outset, which can sabotage the entire presentation.

The Twitcher is a nervous presenter who may repeatedly grin, grimace or make other repetitious motions, such as pointing a finger in the air for emphasis or swaying from one foot to the other.

The Show-off gives more glitz than substance, offering few relevant facts or solutions.

Ultimately to be an effective communicator and presenter the Straight Shooter is who you want to be most like.

The Straight Shooter makes eye contact with the audience, uses natural body movement, and may even move around the room instead of standing stiffly in one spot. The straight shooter uses direct language so everything is understandable and clear.

Tips:
· Make sure your appearance is well presented
· Practice makes perfect
· Speak clearly and adjust your voice; don’t shout for the sake of being loud
· Effectively used, a pause in your speech can be used to emphasize a point
· Make eye contact with your audience; this helps to build trust and a relationship

“The greatest enemy to your human potential is your comfort zone.”

Source: www.entrepreneur.com

AM

10 Ways for College Students to Spend Summer Vacation

1) Doing an Internship

A wonderful way to spend your summer vacation is doing an internship. Internships can give you an extra boost on your resume when applying for jobs post graduation; it will give you the experience that companies are looking for after graduation. Make it fun and look for internship in another province! Check out the following link for internships across Canada.
http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/res_eng.aspx?ProvId=99&Keyword=Internship&Student=No
2) With Family and Friends
Students who attend Loyalist from another city, province or country should spend summer vacation in their hometown with their family and friends. When you’re in college you rarely have time to go home and visit these people.
3) Catching up on Movies
With the stress of school and money what college student has time to watch movies during the fall and spring semesters? This summer spend your summer vacation catching up on all the movies that did so well in the theatres. Make it a fun friend night, have a potluck and a movie marathon.
4) Camping
Spending all your time inside for classes and working on projects is normal for college students. With all the free time you’ll have on your hands it’s a great idea to spend as much time as possible outside in our gorgeous Canadian summer weather. Organize a group of friends or family members for a camping trip! Check out the links below for Canadian camp grounds as well as camping tips.
Canadian camp sites: http://www.campcanada.com/
Camping survival tips: http://www.essortment.com/in/Travel.Camping.Backpacking/index.htm
5) On the Beach
The beach is a wonderful place for college students to spend their summer vacation. If you are really interested in spending your whole summer there, line up a job so that you can afford an apartment for three months. Check out MacLean’s top 10 Canadian Beaches:
1. Sandbanks Provincial Park, Ontario
2. Long Beach, British Columbia
3. Parksville and Qualicum, British Columbia
4. Sauble Beach, Ontario
5. Good Spirit Lake, Saskatchewan
6. Basin Head, P.E.I
7. Kouchibouguac National Park, New Brunswick
8. Grand Beach Provincial Park, Manitoba
9. Sylvan Lake, Alberta
10. Boyce Gyro Park, British Columbia
6) Working
Obviously this isn’t the most enjoyable way for students to spend their summer vacation, but working during the summer and saving your wages will allow you to concentrate on school during the fall, rather than working. Or could allow for a very exciting trip south during reading week!
7) Volunteer
There is nothing more rewarding than making a difference with your time. Not only will it give you self fulfillment, but employers also look for volunteer work when reviewing resumes which set you aside from your fellow candidates. Check out Volunteer and Information Quinte, or your hometown website for opportunities.
http://www.viq.ca/
8) Taking Fun Classes
College students don’t have an option of what classes they would like to take; because of this the idea of “Fun learning” is lost. Take a look at your hometowns website for listings of classes and workshops available which may include: scrapbooking, dance classes, creative writing workshops, video editing, landscaping/garden workshops and volunteer opportunities.
9) Losing the Freshman 15
Your first year of college can be stressful and hectic, spending your time getting used to a new environment and trying to do the best you can. Because of this you rarely have time to eat and when you do eat, the food is far from healthy. And you can forget about having time to exercise. All this combines for what many call “the freshman 15”. This summer spend your time getting rid of those extra pounds and enjoying the outdoor life.
10) Being Lazy
College is hard work! You have to work hard to get good grades, get your assignments done on time and still have a life outside of college. All of this stress really takes a toll on your body; that is why the most perfect way for college students to spend their summer vacation is being lazy.

AM

End of the year is approaching fast!

The end of the Most of us busy with final assignments, presentations and the stress of life; we haven’t had time to think about a summer job let alone look for one. It is important to set aside an hour and start your search, summer job positions are filling fast. Bring your resume and cover letter into the Career Centre for review and adjustments.

Check out the sites below for additional help:
1) Job Connect: http://www.jobconnectontario.org/newsite/html/autogen.html?page_id=2&schild_id=14
2) Small Business Centre: http://smallbusinessctr.com/youth/summer-company.html
3) Quinte Student BlogSpot: http://www.quintestudentjobs.blogspot.com/
4) Job Bank: http://jobbank.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/srch_eng.aspx?ProvId=06&OfferpPage=50&Student=No

AM

How To Find A Placement

How to find a placement

The key to getting a placement is to start applying early and to stay motivated and determined with your application - there are placements out there but you must be willing to search for them.

What to do:

1. Start researching and looking 6 months in advance to ensure you have time to communicate with your potential placement
2. Put together a top ten list. You can do this by doing research and gathering information about potential opportunities.
3. Gather information about organizations through asking people or call them and finding out what they do to see if it matches your skills.
4. Make a list of your desired jobs, your skills, assets and when researching find out what organizations match you the best
5. Contact your program coordinator as they are typically the ones who are to set up the placement; however, it’s never a bad idea to call on your own. You never want to leave something like this in the hands of someone else, just in case they can’t get to it in time.
6. Write a cover letter and resume specific to the organization you are hoping to place with
7. Write down a goals, objectives and desires for the organization to give yourself and your potential supervisor an idea of what your hoping to accomplish
8. Get in contact with your organization and make sure to develop a good rapport and keep the lines of communication available
9. Hopefully, your next step will be a placement interview

Professional Email Etiquette

1) Mind your manners – use please and thank you; address people you don’t know as Mr., Mrs., or Dr.
2) Watch your tone – “accent or inflection expressive of a mood or emotion” this is very difficult to do in writing. Try to come across as respectful, friendly and approachable.
3) Be concise – Get to the point of your email as quickly as possible however, be sure not to leave out important details.
4) Be professional – Stay away from abbreviations and don’t use emoticons. Always use a professional email address.
5) Use correct spelling and grammar – Use a dictionary or spell checker and pay attention to basic rules of grammar.
6) Ask before you send an attachment – Because of computer viruses, many people won’t open attachments unless they know they send. Before you send an attachment, ask the recipient if you may do so.
7) Wait to fill in the “to” email address – Doing this will keep you from accidentally sending an email prematurely, giving you time to proof read your email and make sure it is exactly the way you want it.

Source: www.careerplanning.about.com

A.M.

Master the art of Studying

· Have a special place that is set aside only for studying.

· Make sure your study environment is equipped with all the necessary study supplies.

· Reduce external distractions, such as turning your phone to silent, getting away from background noise and asking others to take time out from talking to you.

· Accept internal responsibility for your study activities.

· Avoid daydreaming.

· Take sides on issues you read able to help create interest in what you’re studying.

· Study small sections at a time to help you master specific ideas.

· Take planned, short breaks as a relief of reward.

· Work on the most difficult material when you are the freshest.

· Eat appropriately and sleep enough so your study time is focused and used most profitably.

· Study with others, when possible, in small, focused groups.

A.M

Student Safety Tips when Studying & Traveling Abroad

1) Be aware of your surroundings
· Take note of out-of-the-ordinary people or events happening around you
· Make changes to your route to avoid a dangerous circumstance

2) Blend in
· Learn what is acceptable to wear by the cultures standards
· Don’t speak loudly or obnoxiously
· Speak the native language as much as possible
· Be aware of differences in table manners and actions what would make you stand out

3) Travel in groups
· There is safety in numbers
· Tell someone where you are going, especially if travelling alone

4) Locate the Canadian Embassies and Consulates
· Know where the Canadian Embassies are
· Know how to contact them and carry the information with you at all times

5) Photocopy important documents
· In case your wallet or backpack is lost or stolen keep a copy of all your important documentation
· Store this information in a safe place, not in the same place as the original

6) Don’t flash money
· Do not wear a wallet exposed
· Secure your backpack with a lock
· Do not flaunt large quantities of cash

7) Check maps before you go out
· Looking lost or confused can make you vulnerable
· Plan where you are going before you leave

8) Just say no
· Depending on the country, possession or transportation of drugs is a serious offense resulting in jail or even execution; for this very reason don’t leave your baggage unattended under any circumstances

9) Avoid scam artists
· Beware of approaching strangers who are over friendly, offer you bargains or want to be your guide.
· Be aware that pickpockets tend to work in groups to try and distract you.

10) Stay aware of current events
· Be aware of current events in your host country, as well as Canadian political hostility, and international affairs.

A.M