College and University Blog
Resources, help, and insight for your college experience
Legal Marijuana? Sorry, You Still Can’t Smoke Pot on Campus
Colorado and Washington became the first states in the nation to legalize marijuana for recreational use. The new laws will treat pot like alcohol, allowing adults over the age of 21 to legally possess up to one ounce of marijuana, which will be sold and taxed at state-licensed stores.
But although exit polls found that younger voters helped pass the laws, college students won’t be able to light up on campus—legally, anyway.
Show Them What You’ve Got with College Application Videos
Despite the ease provided by the Common Application and technological advances that allow students to apply online rather than by mail, applying to college has become increasingly stressful over the years. Once considered a golden ticket to success, a college degree has almost become a necessity for decent-paying entry-level jobs.
Racism on College Campuses
The fact that discrimination and hatred still exist in today’s world is a disappointing reality. Perhaps even more upsetting is the fact that cruel things are occurring on college campuses despite the fact that common courtesy and decency toward others should be qualities that all humans possess.
7 Tips for Dealing with College Application Anxiety
It’s that time of year! Millions of teens have applied to thousands of colleges and universities across the country. They’re enjoying their senior year of high school and getting ready for the holiday season, but they’re also secretly—or maybe not so secretly—freaking out about the future.
Forget Paying for Harvard: Get an Ivy League Education for Free!
The odds of getting into a prestigious school like Harvard or Princeton are incredibly slim, and the costs associated with these elite universities are most likely out of your league—pun intended.
Thanks to the Internet, average Joes and Janes are now able to take free online college courses from honest-to-goodness Ivy League universities. Why pay for Harvard or Princeton (or Columbia, or Brown, or…) classes when you can take them for free in the comfort of your own home?
You Did WHAT? 5 Tips to Protect Your Online Rep
We’ve all been warned to think before we speak, but thanks to the Internet we’ve also got to think before we post, update, or share. And if your social media accounts’ privacy settings allow your friends to tag you in their photos and status updates, your name or picture could be out there for anyone and everyone to see.
Winter Blues: You Can Survive the Rest of the Semester
Workers and students are afflicted with the Sunday night blues on a regular basis. Friday afternoon seems like weeks ago, and the weekend passed way too quickly! Going back to work or school after a long weekend or a mini-vacation—like Thanksgiving Break—is even harder to deal with, especially if you spent time with family and friends that you don’t get to see very often.
How to Pick a Study Abroad Program
There are so many study abroad programs to pick from. Which is best for you? Well, it depends on several factors. Here are a few questions to ask yourself, plus a few to ask student who have been abroad and returned to tell the tale.
Dorm Survivor: A Handful of Tips for Thriving in a Residence Hall
One of the biggest adjustments for a lot of new college students is dormitory life. Everything is new, the rules are uncertain… and how are you supposed to sleep with a party next door? Most of it you’ll pick up with time and experience, but to get you started here are a few great tips for making your residence hall feel like home.
A New Thanksgiving Tradition: Potluck Dinners with Friends
College students across the country are flocking home for Thanksgiving break in droves—many have already been picked up at the airport.
But others are starting a new Thanksgiving tradition this year by staying put to enjoy Thanksgiving dinners with their friends at school.
The 6 Best Things You Can Get Absolutely Free
Student life is expensive, right? And with the popularity of 99¢ Iphone aps and Kindle ebooks, it’s easy to fall into the rut of paying at least a little for everything. Thankfully, there’s still a lot of fun out there to be had for free. In fact, with modern technology, there’s more than ever. Let’s look at some student-tested favorite freebies that can make your life better—and cheaper—today.
10 Party Schools that Lead to Big Money
Yes, there are a few exceptions out there, but colleges and parties pretty much go together like peanut butter and jelly. Don’t be quick to assume that students at party schools do more drinking than learning, because partying seems to pay off at some colleges. See the list…
Staying Out of the Credit Card Trap
Can a student use a credit card responsibly? Sure—if you follow these simple guidelines.
Internships for Students: Why You Need ‘Em and How to Get ‘Em
College students are planning for the future—hopefully, anyway!—but even high schoolers generally have a few potential careers in mind. Student internships are a great way to get a taste of what a particular job or industry is really like before you make a commitment.
How Mortifying! 11 Embarrassing Moments in College
We’ve all been humiliated by our own actions at one point or another, and when you go away to college—where you don’t always have the privacy you’re used to and you’re constantly meeting new people—even minor blunders can seem mortifying.
Here are 11 embarrassing moments you’ll hopefully never experience during your college years:
Alternative Break Programs: Not Just for Spring!
The end of November is near, which means the semester is almost finished! Everyone enjoys a relaxing vacation, but some college students choose to make a difference during winter break rather than veg out in front of the TV in their parents’ living room.
Thinking of Going Back to College? 6 Reasons Why You Should
It’s tempting to picture hypothetical college students as people in their late teens and early twenties who love to party more than study. But the truth is, more and more non-traditional students with spouses, children, and full-time jobs are also in school. If you’re considering going back to college yet unsure because of your age, consider this…
Super Seniors: Get Ready to Pay
The term may imply otherwise, so don’t let it confuse you. Super seniors aren’t cape-wearing members of the over-60 crowd who possess the power to fight off bad guys.
They’re college students who linger on campus and continue to take classes despite having more than enough credits to earn a degree.
College Guide to Spending Thanksgiving Alone
Thanksgiving break is right around the corner! Most empty nesters (AKA parents) have been looking forward to their children’s return from school since, oh, Move-in Day, but some collegians will be staying put and spending Thanksgiving on campus for one reason or another.
If you fall into that category, our College Guide to Spending Thanksgiving Alone will help prevent you from boo-hooing into your dining hall turkey.
Exploring New Frontiers: College Abroad
Should you apply to colleges in foreign countries? Let’s take a look at why you might want to and what issues to consider.
After College: Graduate School?
For some students, college is the end of the line. For others, it’s just the beginning. Should you consider grad school? Here are a few things to think about.
Bullying in College: We’re Vulnerable at Any Age
Students of all ages and backgrounds can and have been victims of bullying. Even college students are susceptible to bullying, and “acceptable” activities like hazing only add fuel to the fire.
Take Advantage of Being a Student: Don’t Underestimate These 12 Perks
“Now don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone…”
Far too many students fail to appreciate the fringe benefits of simply being young and in college until they’re out in the real world. Here are 12 of the biggest things you’ll miss (or miss out on) when you’re no longer in college:
Dealing with Emergencies During College
Weather-related school closings are somewhat common, but emergencies, accidents, disasters and other tragedies can strike in the blink of an eye—often happening with little or no warning.
Whether it’s a sudden illness, a bad accident, a natural disaster like Hurricane Sandy, or any other type of emergency that requires attention and will affect your school schedule, it’s a good idea to react properly.
Ace Your Exams with these 9 Study Tips
Even if you pride yourself on putting the “pro” in procrastination, it’s a wise idea to start studying for exams sooner than the night before.
Everyone studies differently, but if you take advantage of a few of these study tips, you just might ace your exams, end the semester on a good note, and earn plenty of bragging rights during winter break.
Rejected from Your Dream College? It’s Not the End of the World
Application due dates have passed at some colleges and universities; deadlines are quickly approaching at others. Millions of students across the country have already applied to thousands of colleges. It’s a harsh reality, but you most likely won’t be accepted by every school you’re dying to attend.
Top Reasons College Students Should Vote
With less than 24 hours before Election Day, presidential candidates are making one last attempt to convince Americans why they are the best choice. Incumbent President Barack Obama claims that the past four years are living proof that his ideas work; Republican challenger Mitt Romney argues that it’s time for a change.
Far Away or Close to Home?
A look at some of the major factors to consider when deciding whether to go to a far away school… or not!
The Good, Bad, and Ugly: Facts about College Drinking
Drinking simply to get drunk is a common goal among college students. It’s become an accepted form of rebellion with consequences that can be tragic. The following facts and statistics on college drinking are divided into three categories: the good, the bad, and the ugly:
Living at Home During College:Yes? No? How?
Tips for making the decision whether to live at home while in college—and making it work if you do!
Protect Yourself: 8 Easy Ways to Stay Safe at College
Going off to college is one of the most exciting experiences you’ll ever have. But not only are Mom and Dad’s wallets tougher to access, Mom and Dad are no longer keeping a close eye on you. That might be a good thing, but your own safety and well-being are in your own hands now.
Prepare Yourself: 10 Things to Expect During Thanksgiving Break
Put away the costumes and candy, because Halloween is over and Thanksgiving break will be here before you know it. Most college students can’t wait to go home for a few days of relaxation, turkey, and bargain shopping before the stress of final exams begins. In your mind, it’s going to be the greatest long weekend vacay ever … until reality sets in.