The Proper Way To Conduct Yourself During A College Interview

Scheduling a college interview is a smart move for students who wish to be more competitive in the admissions process. A college interview can show the admissions committee that you have good people skills and a lot going for you. Of course, an interview could also go the other way, and you could make a bad impression. In order to make your college interview an asset rather than a mistake, you should prepare in advance by reviewing some guidelines for a successful interview.

First of all, it is important to make a good impression, appearance-wise. College admissions officer are sure to notice your personal grooming and attire immediately if it is not up to standard. If you are dressed appropriately, however, your appearance will likely not come to attention at all, which is your goal. You want your interviewer to focus on what you are saying, not on your poor choice of clothes or the fact that you forgot to shave.

Some rules to keep in mind when dressing for an interview is to avoid clothes that are too casual or too revealing. Business casual is usually a good idea, but first determine the setting in which the interview is taking place. Is it a formal one-on-one interview or a casual group interview? You usually cannot go wrong with a nice pair of dress pants for men or women and a neatly-pressed shirt or blouse.

Also keep in mind that your interviewer will notice your body language. Being nervous likely won't be held against you. After all, you may have never had an interview before, and being slightly anxious shows that you are taking it seriously. If you slouch or behave too casually, however, you may appear careless. Avoid crossing your arms or adopting any defensive or unfriendly body language. Avoid scratching yourself, touching your hair, chewing gum, or fidgeting in a way that may be distracting to your interviewer.

It is a good idea to prepare yourself for some commonly-asked interview questions in advance, so that you are not left stuttering when a question takes you by surprise. You will commonly be asked about your interest in the college, your goals and intended major, the activities you are involved in, etc. While it is okay to know ahead of time what you are going to say, you should not sound rehearsed. Answer every question conversationally, though you should never use excessive slang or any bad language.

Also answer honestly. Your interviewer will be able to tell if you are being insincere or giving the answer that you think he or she wants to hear. While it may be necessary to soften the truth, you should never make false statements during an interview.

Remember never to brag. Naturally, you will want to exhibit self-confidence and show your interviewer that you are a student worthy of admission. This is not the same thing as going on and on about how great you are. You should master the art of talking about your accomplishments without seeming arrogant.

Finally, remember to ask some intelligent questions of your own! One major reason for scheduling a college interview is to demonstrate your interest in the school. If you are yourself, express your desire to be a student at that college, and demonstrate your worth as an individual, you will surely have had a successful interview. Keep in mind that some students earn their college degrees from accredted online universities. If this is the case for you, perhaps you can have a virtual interview with a prospective school.

View the original article here

Is It a Good Time to Go to University During a Financial Downturn?

Background

When you turn on the TV all the news programmes talk about gloom and doom in the world economy; low growth in the Euro-zone, market uncertainty, countries adversely affected by world markets and financial traders. We saw what happened during the banking crisis of 2008 which was triggered by the collapse of the mortgage market in USA and every major trading nation in the world went on to experience a recession or a period of low growth.

At the moment the governments in some Euro zone countries have large debts caused by years of overspending and on top of this are currently paying high rates to borrow money. This makes their situation increasingly fragile and most commentators predict that there is a real possibly that we will see a collapse in the Euro-zone which will affect us all.

A collapse in the Euro-zone and subsequent recession and low growth will make it harder for school leavers to get jobs due to reduced jobs opportunities and an increase in the number of people looking for work due to higher unemployment numbers.

So is Education the Answer?

Most degrees take between 3-4 years to complete so going to university over this period could be a good option as most economists predict that the world's economy will be in still be experiencing limited growth and possibly recession over the next one to three years. This environment makes it more difficult for companies to prosper and expand. On a brighter note the world's economies will grow stronger and companies will experience a time of growth and therefore will be recruiting in large numbers again. Therefore, going to university and increasing your potential of getting a well paid job is a sensible option when the job market is predicted to be very competitive.

Choosing the Right University

You also need to be clever about choosing the right university and degree course, as you need to make the most of you time in university to gain the skill that differentiate you from the competition. Choose a well respected university with an applied degree (engineering, law, medicine, teaching...) will make it easier for you to find a job when you finally leave university.

Being Smart in University

Lots of people will also be going to university over the next few years so you need to make the most of your time in university to build a convincing CV for when the time comes for you to find a job. Consider joining societies and clubs in the students' union. Also look for part-time work and summer jobs as it will not only help you to support your time at university but it will also develop your future employability. Some people even go travelling after they have completed their degrees as this builds on their experiences of the world which can't be a bad thing to talk about during job interview. I think that one of the best things that you can do during your studies is to find a degree course that supports internships as you can evaluate future jobs and employers during the security of your university degree.

In conclusion, going to university during a financial downturn makes sense if you choose the right university and course as you'll be in a strong position to get your ideal job when the economy picks up.

Dan Amos
Founder of the http://www.studyat.co.uk/ university network.

View the original article here

College Planning: 4 Topics to Discuss With Your High School Student During Winter Break

Winter break is a great time for students to catch up on their sleep, spend some quality time with friends and family, see some good movies, and yes, even do some college planning. While most students consider this a time for total rest and relaxation, winter break should also be a time when parents have a heart-to-heart talk with their high school students. High school juniors, in particular, will be returning to school for one of their most important semesters. If they do not plan for the future, there could be some disappointments ahead.

Winter break is a good time to discuss 4 topics with your high school student: High school courses, test prep and registration for the SAT and ACT test, extracurricular activities, and time management.

High School Courses

Students need to make sure they are choosing high school courses that are required by many colleges. You don't need to load yourself up with so many AP and honors classes that you make it difficult on yourself to do well. Keep balance in mind. Do not put yourself in a position to fail. Take the most challenging courses in the subjects that you enjoy and come more naturally to you, but don't feel you need to challenge yourself in a subject where you might already struggle. Making good grades is important, but don't take on more than you realistically can handle.

Colleges are concerned with the academic strength of your high school curriculum. This is always one of the most important factors in the college admission process. College admission officers want to make sure you have had a good educational foundation in pre-college level work. This assures them that you should be a successful candidate for college courses.

Test Prep for the SAT and ACT

College planning needs to include test prep and registering to take both the SAT and ACT. It is recommended that high school juniors take both tests their junior year and then decide if one test is more suited to their learning style. Every college in the U.S. will take either test for college admissions. Some students who are extremely motivated may be able to discipline themselves enough to do test prep on their on. Most, however, will benefit from a course that offers 12-15 hours of instruction. Look at local companies because they are usually both affordable and effective.

There are also two prep books you might want to purchase: The Real ACT Prep Guide and the Official SAT Guide. These books are published by the companies that produce the SAT and ACT tests. They will give students an opportunity to practice on something that is as close to the actual tests as possible. The more practice a student gets, the better.

Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities will help to make your college applications unique and memorable. When you are beginning your college planning, students need to consider what they would like to do outside of school or in the community.
Colleges are interested in what you have done and leadership roles you took on in your activities or clubs. Extracurricular activities include high school athletics, theater, choir, debate or any other area to which you have dedicated time and commitment. Maybe you organized or participated in an annual event in the community where you contributed your time and talent.

Extracurricular activities can also demonstrate to a college some things that are important to you. Maybe you have dedicated weekly time to a tutoring program for disadvantaged students or coached a kindergarten soccer team for the last two years. Extracurricular activities give students a chance to utilize their social, physical, political, and creative skills.

Time Management Skills

Students have to juggle many things which can be stressful and sometimes overwhelming. High school is an important time for students to understand the need to balance their school work with the other activities in which they participate. Most students find that a day planner can make a real difference in helping them schedule school assignments, jobs, and other activities. Personal scheduling software now exists that allows students to synchronize scheduling information between their cell phone and computer.

Studying when you have a break between classes can free up time for other activities. Students must learn to prioritize and set attainable goals. When your college planning really begins, you will need time to do your college search, applications and essays, and everything else that goes into the college admissions process. That is when time management skills will be utilized the most.

To find out more about college planning, go to http://www.collegedirection.org/ to receive the free monthly newsletter. Susie Watts is a private college counselor and the founder of College Direction in Denver, Colorado. She assists with the college search, essay and application process, and provides college planning services for students of all abilities, including learning differences.

View the original article here

Some Tips On Alleviating Inevitable Stress During Your College Experience

Most Bachelor's degree candidates are no strangers to the effects of stress related to their heavy course loads, tough assignments, and other college-related pressures. Some stress during college is a good thing because it motivates you and helps you to push yourself. Too much stress, however, can wear on you, affecting your college performance in a negative way. It is important to learn how to handle stress while you are completing your Bachelor's degree program if you want to make the most of your college experience.

Why is it important to manage stress during college? That is because college is more than just a portal to a high-paying job. Your path to earning a Bachelor's degree should be an enriching and memorable experience. You only get to be a Bachelor's degree candidate once, so you should make the most of it by managing your time in a way that allows you to be healthy and happy. You should have fun while also getting things done. You should have time to enjoy your studies too, not just rush to get them out of the way.

Something that most college students require some assistance in managing correctly is their selection of courses each semester. Too large or too challenging of a course load will put you under undue stress. Of course, everyone is different when it comes to handling multiple responsibilities. Keep in mind that what is right for a friend may not be right for you, so schedule your courses according to your own preferred pace. Talking to others who have taken a course in the past will allow you to gauge how difficult it is and how it fits in your schedule along with other tough classes you may be considering.

Since you've probably been a student for the majority of your life, you are probably used to handling multiple assignments in different subjects. College may add new challenges in the sheer quantities and variety of work you will be expected to perform. It may be necessary to plan out each day so that you can keep your stress levels down by knowing just what you have to get done.

One of the biggest causes of college-related stress is procrastination. You'll have to space out your assignments so that you get everything done without being overwhelmed. If you leave everything until the last minute, you'll end up engaging in stressful and unhealthy behaviors, such as going without sleep to get all your assignments done on time.

A great way of reducing college stress is to seek support when you need it. Support comes in all forms, from study groups to close friends to mental health and counseling services at your college. Know how and when to seek help for stress-related problems.

Finally, take care of yourself! You are more likely to get stressed out quickly if you are engaging in behaviors that lead to poor physical and emotional health. Stay fit, avoid fatty foods, and don't abuse alcohol or other substances.

Students at college universities experience stress all the time. This is basically inevitable, but it doesn't have to be unmanageable. Knowing how to reduce and handle stress can help you to have a more rewarding and fun experience while earning your bachelor's degree online.
View the original article here