High school students take having free books for granted. Most incoming college freshmen are in for a big shock when they see the price of their new calculus book. That’s what my advice is here for. $150 for one book is a lot to swallow, not to mention the $30 lab manual that comes with it. Oh and did you forget the $15 CD too? Buying textbooks is very, very expensive. On average a student buying his/her books from the school bookstore can expect to pay anywhere from $300-$400. So you’re looking at spending nearly $750 for books the whole year. In this article I am going to discuss some of the unconventional means of acquiring your books for the semester.

Nearly all incoming students look up their book lists online a week before class starts and buys their books from the university bookstore. People make fun of freshman because they don’t know any better, and this is a prime example. I’ll admit it, I bought my first semester’s books from the university book store, and boy did it show in my pocket book. University bookstores (or bookstores on campus) have the highest mark-up of all stores. You are a fool if you buy your books from them. The only time I recommend buying your book from the university bookstore is when they are the only supplier. For instance, if your professor wrote his own book and you can only buy it through the school.

The next best method of buying books is from a bookstore off-campus. But even here you will still pay hundreds of dollars for books you probably won’t read. Off-campus bookstores are generally smaller and don’t have the selection size of a university bookstore. If you are buying off-campus be sure to pick your books up early, because they will probably run out.

In my opinion, the best method of buying books is online. You can not beat the prices. If you are new to college an unfamiliar with sites that sell textbooks, please visit Amazon (I have several links to them on my site). Half.com and Ebay are also excellent places to find new and used textbooks. Most teachers post their required textbooks online a few weeks before the semester starts. This is the perfect time to search Amazon for you book. You have to look early because shipping can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks. If you can wait the shipping time, buying online is the best option. I turned to online buying after my freshman year. It was the best money saving method I used all through college. You turn $350 semester book fees into a mere $150 (or less). It’s amazing how so few students are actually buying online. These companies are 100% safe. There is no reason not to buy online.

Now I will go through some of the pros and cons of buying books from our three different means.

On-campus Bookstore
Pro – prime location
Pro – save time
Pro – get the exact editions you need
Pro – offer new and used books
Pro – offer buy back plans
Con – too expensive
Con – you get like $10 buy back for a $100 book
Con – not as many used copies

Off-campus Bookstore
Pro – less expensive
Pro – lots of used books
Pro – offer buy backs
Con – may have older editions
Con – not located nearby (unless you live off campus)
Con – small selections

Online Bookstore
Pro – cheapest books anywhere
Pro – get exactly the book you need
Pro – buy anytime
Con – have to wait 1-2 weeks for delivery

Some other tips on how to save money when it comes to buying books
Tip 1. Share a book with a friend
Tip 2. Always buy used
Tip 3. Buy previous editions (the books don’t change, trust me)
Tip 4. Look if the book is in e-book form
Tip 5. Swap books with other students

If you are going to get anything out of this article, the most important point being made is to be smart with your money. Buy your books online. It is by far the cheapest method. You can buy previous editions of the book you need for a fraction of the price. Editions don’t change from year to year. Buying edition 4 instead of 5 will not make a difference. This is based on my experiences, the pages numbers and writing will be exactly the same. Publishing textbooks is all a big scam. They update editions every year or two and expect us to buy them for $150.

Also, please be cautious when buying books from a bookstore on or near campus. They will tell you “Bring you book back at the end of the year and you will get CASH!” They always make up these gimmicks that put a picture of you stuffing wads of twenties in your wallet. What they don’t tell you is that they don’t always buy books back. If a new edition comes out, guess what, you’re screwed. I would say 75% of the time you will wait in the buy back line and they will say “I’m sorry, we aren’t buying that book back”. If this does happen to you I suggest you make an Amazon account and sell your book online. I’ve done it, and it works.

For more information on how to save money when buying textbooks, or if you have any questions in general, please email me at collegesos@yahoo.com

http://collegesos.blogspot.com/

I am a recent graduate of the University of Florida. I am currently employed full-time but it is my desire to help incoming and current college students. It is my goal to help all students have a better college experience by giving them the advice they need that college advisors can’t give them.

OK, you don’t have a 4.0 GPA, you’re not the senior class president, you can’t throw a football fifty yards, and your SAT scores aren’t generating letters or phone calls from Harvard, Yale or Princeton. So, you’ll never qualify for a college scholarship, right?

Not necessarily! There are lots of scholarships, and other kinds of financial aid for which you might qualify. Some colleges may offer you academic grants with a GPA of 3.0 and SAT scores of 1000. Ashland University offers scholarships to twins. Many church affiliated colleges offer grants to students who are members of their religious denomination. And that’s just the beginning.

If you are the son or daughter of a military veteran, if either of your parents work for a major corporation, if your mother or father is a member of a fraternal or civic organization, or if you are preparing for a career in a particular profession, there may be substantial scholarships for which you can apply, even if you’re not a top student or student leader.

Are you good at writing essays? If you are, your writing skills may be the ticket to a scholarship. There is even a scholarship for students who agree to abstain from using tobacco and alcohol while in college.

You may even qualify for a scholarship because of where you live, your last name, your ethnic heritage or race, or a disease or handicapping condition you may have. Get the idea yet? There are all kinds of scholarships, grants, and financial aid programs out there. Some require economic need or have other restrictions, others do not.

You can search through hundreds of thousands of possible scholarships (free!) in more than twenty different data bases at http://www.college-scholarships.com. While you’re there, you can sign up for a free email newsletter with articles on college admission, scholarship and financial aid programs, college survival tips, and income opportunities for college students.

At http://www.guaranteed-scholarships.com you’ll find scholarships given by individual college to all enrolled students meeting the listed criteria.

Student-athletes may visit http://www.college-athletic-scholarships.com to find the information needed to secure an athletic scholarship (or an opportunity to compete in a Division III or other non-scholarship program).

Don’t forget your school counselor, as he or she can be a great source of information about local scholarship sources. In fact, most high school guidance offices maintain a list of locally based scholarships. Parents and students would be well advised to explore the range of scholarships for which they may qualify as early as the ninth or tenth grade so they can plan to meet the requirements of as many as possible.

You should be aware that many private colleges offer substantial scholarships and grants in order to be more competitive with lower cost public institutions and/or attract students who might otherwise enroll elsewhere. These monies are often offered to students with very little or no demonstrated financial need. In fact, many private colleges frequently "rebate" 30%-35% (or more) of their tuition revenue in the form of institutional financial aid. When these funds are factored in, private colleges may ultimately be little or no more expensive for some students to attend than public colleges and universities with lower published fees.

If you can demonstrate financial need, as established by your answers on the FAFSA form at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ , you may want to apply to at least a few colleges which meet 100% of demonstrated financial need and do so with a reasonable proportion of gift aid to self-help aid (loans and/or work-study funds). Take note that although some relatively small number of colleges will meet the full need of all enrolled students, many more will be far more likely to meet or nearly meet the full need of stronger students.

To position yourself well to be a competitive candidate for scholarships, students should take the most challenging classes available, work diligently to learn as much as possible (not just to get grades), and get involved in co-curricular, community, charitable and/or public service activities. Here’s a good rule of thumb for all students; the more you have to offer the more you’re likely to be offered.

Remember three words…research, research, and research. The more time you spend investigating scholarship opportunities, the more likely you are to find scholarships for which you may be eligible.

Don’t let anyone discourage you. There are lots of people "out there," including some educators, who are inadvertently spreading their serious misconceptions about who may qualify for financial aid and what is required to do so. Most important of all, do not fail to investigate or apply to a college you like because you think it is too expensive. That is one of the most common and worst mistakes a family can make. Remember, you never know what kinds of scholarships and/or financial aid you might receive.

However, just like you should have "fall back" or "safety" colleges in case you are not admitted to your first choice institutions, you should choose and apply to colleges that will be affordable if you do not receive the financial assistance for which you hope.

Obvious as it may be, I feel obligated to remind you to pay attention to details and deadlines when applying for scholarships because so many students fail to do so. I could hardly believe it when an independent educational counselor who probably earns in the neighborhood of $1,000 for helping a student identify and gain admission to appropriate colleges asked (on an email list serve) how many words above the limit one of her counsulees could go on his college application essay. Don’t make the mistake that she did by assuming there will be no penalty if you “come close” to the requirements or are “only a few days beyond the deadline”. If you don’t pay attention, be prepared to pay for your mistakes. But, do it right and you have a great chance of getting some scholarship and or financial aid help. Good luck.

Dan Rosenfield is a university dean who creates educational websites as a hobby. Among his sites is http://www.college-scholarships.com, one of the most popular college admissions and scholarships websites on the net. You can reach Dan at aegc@earthlink.net.

Whether you are a senior in high school picking out a college or already an underclassman at a university and looking to transfer, you still want to be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of your size school. I went to a state university that had over 46,000 students, but I’ve had friends who attend small private schools with 5,000 students. I’m going to take the next few paragraphs to list some of the pros and cons. This is all based on my opinions and my personal experiences at a big time university. My assessment of small private schools might be off because I have never personally attended one.

Right off the bat when you think of a big university (Texas, Ohio State, University of Florida) you think sports. One of the major advantages of going to a large university is their athletic programs. If you are a sports fan, then attending a Division I football school might factor into your decision. Televised games, pep rallies, homecoming parades, and rivalries are all part of attending a large university. However, you do not have to love sports to go to a D-I school. There are thousands of students at large universities that want nothing to do with sports, and that’s ok because there are plenty of other things to do.

Large schools also come with large libraries and media centers. There are plenty of places to study and plenty of computer labs to get your work done during class. I used to go to a computer lab (there were hundreds of computers in there) in between my classes and surf the web or complete my homework from the night before. At a small school there may only be one library and it might be too far out of your way. At a big school, there’s a library, study hall, or computer lab on every corner.

Food is another advantage of attending a large university. They have several dining halls and not to mention Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks, Chik-Fil-A, Taco Bell, Pizza hut, and basically every other fast food joint you can think of right in the middle of campus. You can get food anywhere. And the dining halls actually have eatable food. They don’t serve Helda’s three day old meatloaf and peas. We had freshly baked omelets with bacon and pancakes every morning. I bet you can’t get that at Flagler College.

Some other quick advantages of a large university are the social aspects (fraternities and sororities, intramurals, clubs, student government, and so on). Most universities have a distinguished faculty that know what they are doing. Another advantage is there is on-campus housing for freshman (and sometimes sophomores). This gives you to opportunity to wake up 10 minutes before class starts and walk there in your PJs.

Some disadvantages of a large school are the enormous sized classes. It’s likely you can have a class with 900 people. No matter what you say or how many questions you ask in class, the professor won’t know your name. Many classes are taught by Teacher’s Assistants, which means you are not getting as high a quality as you would like. At a large university you are just a number to some people, and you can get lost in the crowd. Finally, all professors think they are hot shots and care more about their own research than helping students.

Small universities on the other hand have smaller classes. These smaller classes may put more emphasis on learning and hands-on experience. I have never attending a small university but most likely they have more individualized majors. It is not a set curriculum that thousands of people follow every semester. With smaller classes students are able to get to know their professors better. This is great from when its time to find letters of recommendation. Try getting a letter from a teacher when you were just one of 900 students in the class.

Another pro for attending a small college is the advisors know the students very well. Try seeing an advisor at the college of liberal arts at a major university. They see a hundred kids a day and won’t ever remember your name or what classes you’re taking. Also, there is a greater sense of community at a small school. You aren’t just a number on an ID card, here you are a person with a face and a name.

If you have any more questions about university size, feel free to email me at collegesos@yahoo.com

http://collegesos.blogspot.com/

I am a recent graduate of the University of Florida. I am currently employed full-time but it is my desire to help incoming and current college students. It is my goal to help all students have a better college experience by giving them the advice they need that college advisors can’t give them.

College Roommates Part II - Life After Dorms Most incoming college freshmen live in the dorms their first year. In my opinion this is a wise decision and an excellent opportunity to experience new things. However, not all freshmen live in the dorms. Some move straight into apartments, condos, or houses. In College Roommates Part II, I will discuss my experiences living with roommates in an apartment. Not all are good, but overall apartment life in 100 times better than being in a dorm.

I moved into my first apartment in August of my sophomore year. I decided to find a place with a friend (we’ll call him Mike) I have known for years. We asked several of our other high school friends to live with us, but no one was available. We drastically searched for two more roommates. We wanted to live in a four bedroom apartment because of the social atmosphere, but mostly because it is cheaper than living in a two bedroom. We eventually found two guys to live with us. They happened to live in the dorms with Mike, so they were friends of his but total strangers to me. I was not worried one bit. After living with Kraut in the dorms, nothing could be worse, after all, in the apartment I would have my own room and own bathroom.

Apartments are so much nicer than dorms. You get your privacy back (well most of it), you get more space, and you get a better sense of independence. I had my own desk and my own computer. I had my own mini fridge in my bedroom and my own dresser. The only things we had to share were things in the living room. We chose to stay in one of the more social apartment complexes known for parties and fun times. We had an already furnished apartment that included all utilities and cable T.V. with the rent. We had our own washer and dryer too.

Living in my first apartment was one of the best years of my life. My new roommates turned out to be awesome people. We have all remained friends to this day. Having four guys in one apartment comes with its positives and its negatives. Some of the positives are always having people to play sports with (I can’t count the number of times we played 2v2 basketball), always having someone to play video games with, having friends to go out with, and just being able to have fun with friends. But when you live with three other guys’ things can get messy. Trash piles up everyday, no one cleans the kitchen, and someone always wants to party the night you have an exam to study for.

Overall my first (and only) apartment experience was a good one. I made two solid friends there, although I didn’t meet many other people in the apartment complex. We had good times, especially when we bought a ping pong table for the living room, and great memories. I would highly recommend everyone to live in an apartment at least one year during their college career that is unless you have a sweet condo or house.

My junior and senior year of college, my friend Mike and I decided to move into a condo with two of our friends from back home. Our roommates from the apartment were cool with it, and they both went to live with two other their friends from back home. We chose to move into the condo because A. it was cheaper and B. we needed a new scene. By moving in with a friend whose parents owned the condo, we did not have to pay a security deposit or any hidden fees. Our rent was straight forward and included all utilities. We had everything from the apartment and more.

The only downfall from living in the condo was that it was old. Things got moldy and things fell a part. Not all of it was normal wear and tear. During my stay at the condo, I survived 4 hurricanes, one of which was a direct hit. Florida got pounded in August of my senior year. Those hurricanes ripped the condo complex up, and the condo association did nothing to fix it. Trees were everywhere, roofing and siding came off, and mold and leakage grew in our rooms. Luckily we were able to control it.

We also had a dog while living in the condo. One of my roommates brought her home because she was abandoned. She was a sweet dog in the end, but a pain while a puppy. She chewed everything and peed on everything she didn’t chew.

If I had to pick living in an apartment or living in a condo, I would choose the condo probably 8/10 times. They both have their pros and they both have their cons. I met some of my best friends living in both the apartment and condo. I did meet my girlfriend through one of my condo roommates and Mike met his girlfriend because she lived in the condo next to us. You can’t go wrong either way. Anything is better than living in a dorm. I never lived in a house so I can not touch on that subject as much. In the next section I will discuss the pros and cons of apartments and condos.

Apartment Pros and Cons:

Pro- Social environment

Pro- Maintenance is prompt (usually)

Pro- Fixed bills (utilities, TV, and phone included)

Pro- Already furnished

Pro- More space and privacy

Con- No where to study

Con- Have to drive/take a bus to school

Con- Roommates steal your food

Con- No one cleans up

Con- Can be expensive

Condo/house Pros and Cons:

Pro- Have your won furniture

Pro- Utilities included in rent

Pro- Can have pets

Pro- Good parking

Pro- Social aspects

Pro- Usually cheaper

Con- You have to provide maintenance

Con- No where to study

Con- It can get loud living with 3 other people

Con- Roommates steal your food

If you have any questions concerning college living (whether it be dorms or apartments), please feel free to email me at collegesos@yahoo.com

http://collegesos.blogspot.com/

I am a recent graduate of the University of Florida. I currently work full-time, but it is my desire to help incoming and current college students with all aspects in their lives. My goal is to advise students not to make the mistakes I did and to help give them a better college experience.

So you’re an incoming freshman or an underclassman who is still undecided and the question everyone asks you "What’s your major?" is getting on your last nerves. I’ve heard it a thousand times, and trust me, the only question you will hate being asked more than "What’s your major?" is "What do you want to do after graduation?". But we’ll get into the graduation question some other day. For now let’s concentrate on choosing your major.

I went to freshman orientation at the University of Florida not knowing what I wanted to do with my life (and honestly, 6 months after graduation and working in the real world, I still don’t know the answer). Like many of you, I felt pressure to give the advisors an answer. I told them Civil Engineering. Bad mistake on my part. Never Never Never pick engineering as your major unless you are dead sold on it. I was stupid and signed up for a year’s worth of Calculus and Chemistry.

But the good thing about college and choosing your major is that you can always change it. You can change your major seven times if you want. I only changed my major twice, which is probably about normal. What is not normal is picking a major and sticking to it. You are in the vast minority if you go all four years with the major you picked at orientation, but kudos to you for sticking with it.

Try to evaluate what you like and enjoy doing. If you love computers, research your school’s computer science degrees. If your passion is in sports, pursue a sport management degree (that’s what I did). If you love kids, by all means declare yourself an education major. But do not feel that you are stuck with it. Explore the programs and keep your options open.

Choosing a major does not necessarily mean you will land a job in that field. I earned a Bachelor’s in Sport Management and here I am building a web page and writing articles about college life. Your degree does not limit you career opportunities. Unless you choose a very specific degree, like software engineering or accounting, your career opportunities are very open. Even with specific degrees you can find jobs in areas unrelated.

When it comes to picking a minor or going after a second degree, try to pick something relevant to your field of study. To accompany my sport management degree, I earned a business management minor. Both compliment each other. Do not get a computer science bachelor’s and an entomology minor. They are completely irrelevant to each other and won’t be impressive on your resume (unless you have a true love for bugs, then stick to something relevant). The same goes with double majoring. Don’t double major just for bragging rights. It will be a big waste of time. If you love the challenge, love studying, and hard work then explore the option of getting a second degree. Do not go straight into orientation with that go go attitude of "Oh my god I’m going to be a double major in bimolecular chemistry and nuclear microbiology and I’m going to take all honors courses so I can graduate in two and a half years". It doesn’t work like that, and you won’t make it unless your name is Doogie Howser. Wait a semester or two before declaring a second major.

Tip #1. Don’t pick your major because it’s what your mother or father do.

Tip #2. If you are unsure at orientation, don’t feel pressured into choosing a major right away. It’s ok to be undeclared for a semester or two.

Tip #3. Be happy with your degree. If you hate the classes you are in, think about making a change.

Tip #4. Don’t declare a second major right away.

Tip #5. Pick a minor that compliments your major.

Tip #6. Pick a major in a field of study you enjoy. If you enjoy reading books about Art, then look into being an Art History major. If Art bores you to death, don’t be an Art major.

Tip #7. Take advantage of your school’s career resource center. (I never did, and boy did I regret it when it took me 4 months to find a job).

If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to email me at collegesos@yahoo.com or visit my website at

http://collegesos.blogspot.com/

I am a recent graduate of the University of Florida. I currently work full-time, but it is my desire to help incoming and current college students with all aspects in their lives. My goal is to advise students not to make the mistakes I did and to help give them a better college experience.

Getting into the college of your choice means scoring high on the college admissions test. In some countries, college admissions exams are administered by the college or university itself. In the US, there are many different tests depending on the Institution. College entrance exams serve a specific purpose. They are used to gauge whether the student can live by the standards of the college and is ready to tackle the academic workload. College entrance test preparation requires both time and diligent study.

To make the preparation for the test easier, we have prepared some tips and guidelines for the day before the test and during the test.

General Tips:

Think positive and psyche yourself. Thinking positive and psyching yourself will literally pave the way for more effective study. Motivating your mind will open it up to what lies ahead. It will also help you gather up the energy and the desire that can sustain your long preparation for the exam. Remember that your future is in your hands.

Research the college of your choice. Make a list of at least the top three colleges or universities where you would like to study and rank them. Find out their required grade on the entrance exam. Once you your target, you know what grade you must reach for.

Make a list of why you want to master the test. This list may come in handy in the future. Like in a couple of weeks when your spirits have shot down and you are feeling lazy. The things you have listed will remind you of why you decided to prepare for this test in the first place.

Gather your study materials. Compile your notes, textbooks and study guides. It is important for you to consult a diverse range of study materials. Study guides that are available online or in the bookstores will provide you with practice tests. Practice tests will give you invaluable practice as well as the general ‘feel’ of the exam. Time yourself when taking the practice tests to familiarize yourself with the time pressure of the real exam.

Assess yourself. Take diagnostic or practice tests. Analyze the result. Mark the areas you could consider your weak areas. Concentrate on these areas when you begin studying.

Draft a study plan. The study plan must include the time frame you will follow along with the topics you need to cover. This will help you systematize your study habits.

Guidelines for the Test Day:

Eat a healthy meal the night before the exam. Having a healthy meal will effectively nourish your faculties. You need to be at your best when you take the test, which includes being properly nourished and hydrated.

Get plenty of sleep. Make sure to have at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep the night before the test. You need to be well rested and relaxed. You don’t want to be drowsy and confused when you take the test, right?

Get up early. By early we mean giving yourself enough time to be fully awake when you take the test. The time here is quite relative. Some people are fully awake a few minutes after waking up, while some could use an hour or so.

Eat a healthy breakfast. Have a nutritious breakfast. Make sure you don’t eat too much. You have to be energized enough, but not too full when you take the exam.

Wear comfortable clothes and dress in layers. You don’t want to be too hot or too cold. You cannot afford to be distracted by anything while taking the test.

College entrance exams need thorough preparation. It may be helpful to know your goals and which college you would like to study in. These simple tips can go a long way when you take your test. Remember, you will not be able to get into the college you want to without pushing yourself

Brian Stocker is a former teacher and Psychologist. He has written widely on education and testing. Visit his website http://www.test-preparation.ca/college/index.html for information, study guides on becoming a teacher, teacher certification and test preparation.

Now that there are a large range of subjects available, an online degree has something that is suitable for everybody.

To discover which online degree is right for you, first you should be definite concerning your career objectives. For example, if you want to start your own small business, then a degree in marketing will be your ideal bet. Someone else may use an online degree in order to help them change careers.

Usually all you need to be able to enroll is a high school diploma or G.E.D and a desire to learn. Depending on your previous college grades and work record, you may be able to receive your degree in a relatively short time.

Before selecting a university which you are interested in, be sure that they are fully accredited and the staff has an extensive understanding of the subject which you are interested in.

Once you have decided to enroll, getting started is easy, many colleges provide year round enrollment, this means you can start on your course immediately, you have signed up. The course work will be available for download over the internet as soon as you want to, so that you can start as soon as you wish.

What are the advantages you will get by doing an Online Degree?

Normally an online degree course takes four years to complete, the biggest benefit of an online degree is the potential to finish the degree in less time. It is not unusual for students to complete their degree in less than three years.

Any previous college credits can be taken into consideration also pertinent work history will be take into consideration, this could reduce the time even more you might even complete your degree in as little as six months.

The next important benefit of an online degree is that the course work is extremely flexible, the work can be done at any time throughout the day and you never have to leave your house. Any course work is carried out via the Internet both by lessons you download or via virtual class work.

These courses do require hard work, on average an online degree program will require a minimum of twenty hours of class work per week, but because the course is completed online, you can work at your own pace, depending on your schedule, always provided the course is completed within the allowed time.

Generally the standard time frame allowed for the class work of an online degree is one class every five weeks. This schedule allows you to concentrate completely on one class or module at a time letting you learn all of the information presented in that lesson. This is better than traditional four year colleges because with an online program you can devote your time to each session without being sidetracked by other classes and information.

Tuition payment is also easier with an online course. Online degree programs usually qualify for the same tuition aide that on-site courses do, so you are able to apply for student loans, payment plans and employer payment programs. Furthermore, some online colleges will let you to pay as you learn, this helps with initial college costs.

Studying on line for a degree is a great way for those of us that are working full time to further their careers. When studying online, you can keep your job and still obtain a degree in a reasonable time, online degrees are also the perfect choice for anybody that must work full time to pay for the cost of their education.

If you are thinking of going for a degree, then an online degree program is with out a doubt worth checking out.

By deciding on an accredited online degree course as against a regular degree program, you are still getting a degree of especially high standard, that you can work for at home in a flexible manner.

For all the latest information about online degrees visit http://www.find-online-degree-information.com

You may print this article provided you maintain an active link back to http://www.find-online-degree-information.com

Although researching and writing a college paper has never been child’s play, it was a bit more straightforward and less complicated before the advent of the Internet. Aspiring student researchers simply visited their university’s library, where they could easily check out a few relevant books after consulting the card catalog and use a periodical index to find a journal article or two. Nowadays, there are many more choices in addition to those regular, “old-fashioned” standbys. Still, the Internet has yet to render the library obsolete!

The World Wide Web has become a boundless source of information, bringing knowledge to the homes of millions. Yet, despite the tens of billions of pages available online, it’s a mistake to conclude that everything is available (somewhere!) on the Web. Contrary to popular belief, the entire world’s wisdom is not online and free for the taking. Some information will cost you, while other resources are nowhere to be found.

Additionally, the Web is rife with misinformation. Unfortunately, many students not only turn first to the Internet for their research needs, but they are also handicapped by their inability to distinguish reputable resources from unreliable ones. While use of the Internet can make research more convenient, it may also result in carelessness. Students are better served by beginning their research at the library and using the Web as a secondary resource.

Fortunately, the Internet has also changed the way in which the supposedly passé library functions. While you may still see drawers upon drawers of card catalogs, most libraries have also made their catalogs available online. Computers have facilitated interlibrary loan (ILL) as well. Likewise, paper journals and microfiche persist, but these resources are supplemented with subscriptions to online academic databases. Ultimately, libraries have used the Internet to provide the best of both worlds - the reputable resources available at the library, digitalized for greater accessibility.

1. Online Catalogs

In all likelihood, you’ve probably already used a card catalog, even if it was way back in elementary school. While catalogs do still exist, the good news is that most of them have been digitalized. Now available online, they’re much easier to access and search. If you can connect to your library’s computer system remotely, you can even browse their holdings from your dorm room!

Online catalogs generally consist of records of the library’s holdings (books, journals, dissertations, manuscripts, etc.), as opposed to the holdings themselves. A record can include any of the following information: author, title, publisher, date and place of publication, journal title, subject, and keywords.

You might be tempted to dismiss catalogs since they don’t provide instant gratification - immediate, full-text access to all available resources. However, you can access many of the holdings either via online academic databases or in the library itself - all it takes is a little detective work!

Other libraries offer access to their catalogs as well. WebCATS (http://www.libdex.com/) is an index of over 18,000 libraries’ catalogs. You can browse them by geographical location or search the index by keyword. Each entry provides a direct link to the library’s online holdings.

2. Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

Some libraries partner up with others and form groups called consortia. These consortia provide access to one another’s holdings - this is where ILL comes in. When you search your library’s catalog, most likely you’re simultaneously searching the catalogs of your library’s consortia as well. These libraries include not only university libraries, but also public, school, government, corporate, and institutional libraries. If you find a resource that isn’t available at your "home" library, you can either borrow it or obtain a copy from the library that houses it.

Many libraries offer this service online, but if you have any questions or are unable to locate an online form, it can be done at your library’s reference desk as well. If you aren’t affiliated with a library (or if you need a resource that belongs to a library that your own library isn’t associated with), you might be able to borrow or order it for a fee.

3. Academic Databases

Academic databases are privately owned or proprietary databases that charge users a fee to search their holdings or retrieve full-text documents. While members of the public can pay to use these services online, students have ready access to dozens of proprietary databases that their libraries subscribe to. These academic databases can cover a wide range of subjects, from business to the humanities, and offer everything from citations and abstracts to full-text documents. A single company may produce several different databases, and different databases may include some of the same materials (including journals, articles, or even smaller or more specific databases).

Before you can choose the right database, you need to have a general idea of what subject you’ll be researching. Then, browse your library’s site for a database that covers your desired topic. Most likely, you’ll have several promising databases from which to select. Don’t be discouraged, and don’t rely on just one - try them all out! Although some of their coverage may overlap, you’ll probably be able to find unique resources in each of them.

While students veer towards databases, especially those that provide instant access to full-text articles, this is a grave mistake. As expansive as they may be, academic databases don’t usually include books, dissertations, or multimedia materials. Their coverage generally only dates back to the 1970s, and they don’t provide exhaustive coverage of most disciplines. Even worse, the full-text articles sometimes contain mistakes, including typographical errors and omissions of sections of the article - or even the entire article itself! Ideally, you should supplement your use of full-text databases with databases that only provide citations or abstracts. Then, you can use your library’s online catalog to locate hard copies of the materials. If the sources you’re interested in aren’t available at your library, it’s very possible that you’re librarian will be able to help you track them down.

The next time you need to do some research, make the first stop your library as opposed to your laptop! Far from being supplanted by the Digital Age, libraries have integrated new technologies into their services, making them more useful than ever.

Copyright Kelly Garbato, 2005
Kelly Garbato is an author, ePublisher, and small business owner. She recently self-published her first book, “13 Lucky Steps to Writing a Research Paper,” now available at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com) or through Peedee Publishing (http://www.peedeepublishing.com).
To learn more about the author, visit her web site at http://www.kellygarbato.com.

You’ve decided to go to school. You’ve decided to change your life. Perhaps you are tired of your job, or just tired of making less money than you deserve. Maybe you’ve decided to pursue a secret passion. With the easy accessibility of the Internet, finding a college is easier now than ever before. You can find directories, programs, schools, and all kinds of resource sites with just a simple search engine query. All this information is useless unless you know what questions to ask. To help, I have compiled a simple list of the basic questions to consider when searching for the school of your dreams.

1. Do they offer scheduling that fits your lifestyle?
Take into account your lifestyle. Do you have a family? When will you go to work? Many programs offer day, evening and online courses to help you fit school into your life.

2. Do they offer job search assistance and/or career planning for students and graduates?
Does the school offer resources to help you find a job once you have graduated? Do they offer assessment testing to help you determine the best possible career paths for your talents?

3. Do they offer professional certifications or memberships?
Certain jobs require you to have professional certifications in order to become employable. Other professions, such as technical writing, are greatly benefited from the professional associations such as STA. Many professional associations offer discounts and benefits for students.

4. Do they offer chances to take courses outside of your chosen major/program?
This is something you might not initially consider; however, you may find as time progresses that you would like to take some courses in something that is not in your specific major or degree program. Sometimes courses taken outside your major can add value to your knowledge base and marketability.

5. Do they offer hands-on training or real world work experience?
Let’s face it; if you are going to be an auto mechanic, you need to work on cars to learn your craft. You’ll want to make sure your school offers such training before you enroll. Does the program require an internship? Internships are not only valuable to your education, but they help give you the real work experience employers seek.

6. Cost.
Aside from the decision to go to school, cost is probably the next major factor you will consider. Cost will help you narrow down the list of possible schools. When looking at cost consider not only the cost of tuition(classes), but the cost of books, housing, food, other expenses such as program fees, materials fees, computer fees and expenses that may be unexpected (and trust me, they happen so it is best to be prepared.)

7. Demographics: location of school, size of student body, faculty and reputation
Location; is the school close to home? Will you have to travel or will you live on campus? Consider the climate; are you prepared to walk through several feet of snow during the winter? How large is a typical class? How many students attend the school? Is the school well known? These are all questions you should answer when choosing the right school. Also consider the following: What sorts of resources are available to students? Is there a library on campus? Are the faculty members accessible? Do you like the campus?

8. Transportation–can you get there?
This may seem a bit silly to some people, but it is a real concern. School is a major commitment and investment in time and money. You may be involved in group projects where members count on you to show up to class and meetings outside of school. How will you get to school? Will you rely on public transit; busses, trains, subways, or do you have a personal auto? Consider cost such as bus or train fare and gas prices as well as how much time it takes to commute to and from campus.

Remember this is just a basic list of questions to begin your search. There are many more things to consider when choosing the right school, but if you abide by the above list, you will be far and away ahead of the game. Good luck and happy searching!

Kate Leas is a freelance writer living in Kansas City, Missouri. Her current fields involve education and the Internet. www.collegesearchengine.net

Distance learning colleges are popping up all over the world. One of the most well-known, University of Phoenix, started in 1976 with 8 students. Currently, its academic enrollment numbers more than 200,000 students located all over the world, making it the largest private, accredited university of the distance learning colleges. In fact, it’s the largest private accredited university in the United States, period. Over 100,000 of those students are enrolled strictly in the online distance learning programs.

Distance learning colleges are flourishing for a number of reasons. There is our fast changing economy. People need to stay up to date on their skills, or constantly acquire new one’s so that they can advance in their career and stay valuable to their employer, without becoming obsolete.

There are also many people who feel education is a lifelong pursuit and not something that stops once you graduate from college. Both of these lead into one of the biggest reasons for the popularity of distance learning education and that is convenience.

We all lead very hectic lives and the one thing we always seem to be short of is time. Distance learning colleges eliminate the time aspect of education as much as it can be eliminated.

Continuing your education through distance learning eliminates a lot of the hassles of night school. You don’t have to work all day and then drive to class, spend three hours of your evening, drive home, and then study. You can just log on to your computer when you get home instead. This is a much less stressful way to pursue a degree. Another advantage is not going through the hassle and stress of finding the right classes, in the right order, that are available at a time that is at least somewhat convenient for you.

What happens when a class you need is only available Tuesday evenings from 6 - 9 and that’s the one night of the week that you travel for your job. You’re out of luck. But attending college or graduate school through distance learning gets rid of that obstacle. You can get an online degree instead.

Another big obstacle in the way of getting an education is money. There aren’t many of us that can quit work to go back to school full time. With a distance learning program you can get an online degree without giving up your current job. This makes it a heck of a lot easier to pursue your degree when you can keep your current income while you go to school.

The virtual classroom that is available in most distance learning colleges offers other advantages compared with typical academic settings, and that’s 24-hour access to programs, faculty, and the other students, as well.

With the large number of distance learning colleges you can choose from today, you can find a degree or certification, or continuing education courses, in almost any subject, from journalism, to an MBA, to a PhD, Law degree, accounting, bachelor’s, engineering, culinary school, investing, real estate, paralegal, medical billing and more.

Rob Thomas is a freelance writer and the webmaster for http://www.a1-online-distance-learning.info, where you’ll find more free articles on distance learning and online degrees. Have a look around at all the information on distance learning colleges so you can decide what distance learning model is best for your life, goals, and situation.