GeekSugar

Blogging: New Criteria For College Admissions?

GeekSugar — Wed, 16 May 2007 16:04:31 PDT

If only blogging was as cool as it is now when I was in college...but then again, who knows how much studying I would have done! A recent USA Today article suggests that more universities are joining a growing trend of posting "an interactive online diary and several other unfiltered student blogs directly on their homepages as a recruiting tool." What universities are hoping for, is that prospective students can get a true glimpse of campus life from other students blogging about it. Rather than just visiting links related to admissions, courses, and athletics, potential students can check out other students' opinions and thoughts pertaining to the University.
What do you think about this? A good way to help high school students pick prospective schools? Or a tad too much Girls Gone Wild for your liking?

Shocking Truths About the Underemployment of College Graduates

OnSugar Blog — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 03:15:10 PST

OnSugar blogger Beauty and the Budget shares the shocking unemployment statistics of college graduates.

As a teenager, it seemed as though the next few steps in my life were going to be easy. You go to college and you get a job. That's what all of the older kids did. What I didn't know was that I would graduate college one year after the recession began and that my dream job would be even harder to grasp, much less finding a job with a good salary and benefits.

Since graduation, I have not been able to find a job that pays more than $10.50 an hour. Even though I have liked my jobs, that doesn't mean I am not financially stressed. I have around $40K in student loan debt - and that's even after receiving a $10K scholarship. Sometimes I feel like I could have skipped college altogether considering I have worked jobs that don't even require a college degree. On the optimistic side of things, I still feel like getting a college degree is a good idea. I just wish I'd have known then what I'd be getting myself into and that I wouldn't just magically graduate with a good job.

Read on for more.

10 Things You Do to Save Money That End Up Costing You More

Wise Bread — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:15:37 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart Wise Bread story here on Savvy!

Have you heard of the expression “penny wise, pound foolish”? It’s something I heard a lot growing up, from my parents, and it can have multiple meanings:

You are very careful with small amounts of money, but throw caution to the wind with large amounts. This is akin to someone who eats from the dollar menu every day but then blows a hundred dollars every month on a gym membership that’s never used.
You do things to save money now, only to have those savings cost you more farther down the road.

The second definition is what I’m focusing on today, because it’s a lot easier to fall into the trap of saving money only to have it bite you later on. Here then are 10 things that you may be doing to save money that could actually cost you a lot more in the weeks, months, or years to come.

RELATED: The Case For Expensive Shoes

1. Avoiding Regular Checkups With the Doctor, Dentist, or Optician

It’s something I did in college when money was tight. “Aah, who needs to pay money to a dentist to have him tell me I should floss more?” Well, after leaving the dentist alone for a few years, I paid the price. Avoiding the regular cleanings and checkups left me facing a hefty bill later on when I needed a bunch of costly fillings. I was lucky that I didn’t need root canals or replacement teeth. Now I have a dental plan that covers free checkups twice a year, but even if you don’t, get to the dentist and doctor for health checks. It’s a lot better to pay a co-pay now than pay for major surgery later on. And worse still, it could even cost you your life, especially as so many conditions can be treated if they’re caught early enough.

Read on for more.

Link Time - Get to Know "Blogger" Jenna From The Bachelor

TresSugar — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:40:00 PST

Get five facts about "blogger" Jenna, The Bachelor's latest crazypants - The Frisky
10 expert tips for finding love in 2012 - YourTango
The most talked-about sex scandals of 2011 - Yahoo! Shine
New scientific breakthrough could mean good news for infertile dudes - Newser
What's hot and what's not in the new year - College Candy
The rules of new year dieting plans - GOOD
Eye candy: hot guys with animals - theBERRY
How to refuse sex with your partner without ruining the relationship - Huffington Post
What movie title best describes your sex life? - Glamour
Stars who fell prey to the New Year's Eve breakup curse - The Daily Beast

Final Exam Tips For Mom Students

OnSugar Blog — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:27:15 PST

Need to cram for an exam? Whether you're a mom or just a full-time student, check out these tips that OnSugar blogger marybabysteps shared on The College Mom.

Wow, the end of the semester is actually here. Where'd the time go? I'm sure you're saying the same thing. With so much on your plate, you may be wondering how in the world you're going to find time to prepare for final exams, never mind how you'll actually manage to survive them. Trust me, mama, you can do this. Take a deep breath and consider these tips to help you get a handle on your test anxiety during this crazy time.

Schedule Study Time

I've talked about this aspect of time management, but it's especially important at finals to make sure you've set aside plenty of time for study. Write it down in your agenda or planner, and be sure to stick to it - just like any other appointment. You'll find that you're far less stressed if you know you've got the time set aside.

Break It Down

Decide which subjects are most difficult and tackle those first in your study session when your energy level is highest. Also keep in mind that it's impossible to study absolutely everything. Decide which topics are most likely to be on the exams and focus on those. Often professors will provide you with study guides. Take a moment to review the study guides, highlighting the topics that are toughest for you. Breaking things down always makes them seem less overwhelming.

More tips after the break.

OnSugar Blog: Tips on Choosing a Major For Adult Students

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:15:35 PST

OnSugar blogger the college mom gives tips to adult students for choosing majors.

When I was an academic adviser, it never seemed to fail that at this time of the semester I would begin to see students coming to my office by the dozens searching for advice on choosing a major. I don't know what it is about this time but it really seems that students begin to focus on what course of study they should pursue right about now. It may have something to do with midterm exams taking place or it could be for a myriad of other reasons. Whatever the cause, now seems to be a time of great anxiety surrounding choosing a major. Let's discuss some ways to tackle the task and lessen the stress.

Take an Inventory

One of the first things I always recommend to students is taking a career inventory. A career inventory is kind of like a test that assesses your strengths, weaknesses and preferences and gives you a list of career types that may appeal to you. Career inventories don't tell you what you should do for a living; they merely produce ideas that may suit you based on your assessment results. Some examples of career inventories are the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory and the Strong Interest Inventory. See your career counselor or academic adviser for assistance in taking and interpreting such assessments.

Read on for more tips.

Link Time - Are Women Using Plan B as Plan A?

TresSugar — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:00:00 PDT

A blogger explains why she uses Plan B as her only form of birth control - Yahoo! Shine
Celebrity parents we wouldn't want to have - College Candy
Dealbreaker: he can't stop performing - GOOD
Should you fantasize about celebrities or real men? - YourTango
A birth control video game? It's real - Huffington Post
Ogle some hot pics of football player Aaron Rodgers - theBERRY
"Have it upside down" and more sex advice from Blossom - The Frisky
"The top 10 reasons I love being naked" - Em & Lo
Woman loses memory after having sex - Nerve
How the new Footloose stacks up against the original - BuzzSugar

OnSugar Blog: Some Facts About Community Colleges

OnSugar Blog — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:15:12 PDT

OnSugar blogger the college mom gives the lowdown on why community colleges are great choices for busy adults.

Community colleges are a phenomenal educational choice for busy adults. Classes are offered at various times, you can often find one close to home and the price is usually much less expensive than four-year institutions. Some people may worry that the quality of education is not as high at community colleges as that of traditional schools, but the truth is, the majority of community colleges require similar accreditation to four-year schools. And if you're looking for a specialized degree in a technical or industrial field, the education received at community colleges is often top-notch, offering the newest equipment, devices and technology.

In addition, a community college education is versatile. Working with your academic adviser, you'll be able to choose liberal arts courses that should transfer seamlessly to the four-year school of your choice. If you're not planning to obtain a Bachelor's degree, community colleges offer numerous Associate degrees and certificate programs that can open the doors to the career path you're looking for. As a former community college academic adviser, I may be a little biased, but I truly believe that community colleges provide excellent educational options to the community, particularly to adult students.

Here are some quick facts about community colleges from The American Association of Community Colleges:

As of January 2011, there are 1,167 community colleges in the U..S.
During fall semester 2008, 12.4 million students attended community college - 40% full-time, 60% part-time.
In the 2007 - 2008 academic year, the average age of community college students was 28, with 45% being between the ages of 22 - 39 and 15% who were 40 and older.
In the fall of 2008, 58% of community college students were women.
As of fall 2008, community college students made up 44% of all U.S. undergraduates.
In the 2007 - 2008 academic year, community college students received 46% of financial aid.
The average academic year tuition for in-district community colleges in 2007 - 2008 was $2,713 compared to $7,605 for in-state, public 4-year schools.

The figures show that community colleges are a popular choice for a great number of students pursuing higher education. It's likely you'll find people just like you with common interests attending these institutions. The education is affordable, with financial aid that is available. Why not schedule a visit to your local community college and see if it's the right fit for you?

To read other great posts, visit the college mom blog. You can start your own OnSugar blog for a chance to be featured on the PopSugar Network.

OnSugar Blog: Back-to-School Checklist For College Moms

OnSugar Blog — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:15:32 PDT

Being a mom and a college student means double the work . . . and finances! OnSugar blogger the college mom gives tips on how moms can juggle their mommy and student duties when they are enrolled in school.

Even traditional aged students get the jitters when it comes to back to school time. So if it's been awhile since you've been in the classroom, you're certainly entitled to be a bit nervous. While going back to school as a parent with home, work or family obligations can be a bit scary, some pre-planning can help you to feel a bit more ready and confident about your new educational path.

Get Your Finances in Order

Money's tight for many of us these days. Be sure you have your financial aid in order before starting back to school. Though it is possible to find last-minute financial assistance, you'll be more likely to qualify for everything you're entitled to if you begin the process early. Whether you qualify for loans, grants or scholarships, you'll feel much better knowing the bulk of your education costs are taken care of. If you could still use a little cash in your pocket, check to see if your campus has any part-time jobs for students or work-study programs, These are often convenient ways to make some money.

Read on for more tips.

OnSugar Blog: Why I Walked Out of My Last Job Interview

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:15:10 PDT

The pressures of interviewing can be daunting, especially when your heart's not in it. OnSugar blogger Everyday Baby Steps explains why she decided to walk out of a recent interview. Read on to find out what that was like.

These are tough economic times. I know. It's been about four years since I left my job as a college academic adviser in order to pursue the more flexible lifestyle of a work-at-home freelance writer. I love working from home, learning new things every day, and networking online and in person with fabulous people. Lately, though, I've been feeling like something's missing, like I'm ready for another change. I kind of miss the structure of getting ready and going someplace every day. I miss the sense of purpose it gives me to leave for a job, and I miss the social interaction of working with others. That's why I began to look for additional employment. Notice I said "additional." I have no intention of leaving my writing and blogs behind!

I've been a bit conflicted about the type of job I'd like. Should I work full time in order to receive a steady salary with benefits? Do I just want to have a part-time gig so that I can continue to be available to my children? There are so many things to consider that I decided not to rule anything out. I applied for several different kinds of opportunities, and I've been excited about exploring each one.

That is until I showed up for my interview at a local Pittsburgh, PA, campus of University of Phoenix last week. That experience was less than exciting for me. The events leading up to the actual interview were encouraging. The hiring process was rigorous, but I felt that showed they were serious about ensuring the quality of their candidates. I took an online assessment, received some information on the position and the benefits, then had a telephone interview. After the phone interview, I was told that I'd meet with the hiring manager in person to continue the interviewing process. Great.

Read on to find out what happened.