Dr Stephen Jones  

During the senior year parents engage in the annual ritual and conversation about selecting a college. Today college cost is frequently at the top of the list of issues that parent’s must confront. Even today money should not be the only reason that you select a college. The ability of your student to live within the philosophy of a college can make a big difference in their success. Sure colleges can put up an advertisement and send you a mailing every week but there is nothing like visiting a campus and talking to the faculty and students who have made a commitment to a particular college. The truth is there are over 6,000 colleges that a student can select from and all; very in size and mission. Some colleges are owned by your state, some private and others are community colleges.

There are eight rules that will help you to select a college that fits your needs. There are some simple rules that you can follow to reduce your stress. These practices will help you to make a reasonable decision about the top colleges that you select. Here are the 8 rules:

1. When you go on a college tour always arrange a meeting with a faculty member and student.

2. Always talk to the financial aid office after you have received their financial aid package.

3. Attend a classroom lecture to get a sense of the class sizes.

4. Check out what students are saying about the college on the internet.

5. Ask if advising is mandatory or voluntary. Advisors can be a critical part of a student’s success.

6. Ask if their professors teach classes or mostly teaching assistants.

7. Ask how many students from your high school have attended the college. It could be a sign that your former classmates really liked the college.

8. Take several friends with you and go on a campus tour together. Sometimes it is good to get more than one perspective on the college you are visiting.

It is never too early to start your college search process. Colleges are putting out all kinds of information every day. You can go on some college websites and download videos and podcasts about the college. Some colleges also offer CD recordings of several aspects of the college. Some colleges even offer a virtual tour of their campus.

You should find ways to creatively engage in conversations with their students and alumni. You want to know how happy they are about their college experience. It’s even better when you can talk with students who are in a particular major. They can share their success and also talk about their challenges with their major. The beauty of a campus is not the only thing to consider. You want your son/daughter to have an enjoyable experience. Take the time to compare the colleges you have selected and what they offer.

Another thing that you can do is pick up a few books that the faculty has written. These writings will reveal their opinions and thoughts. It is a great way to know if the faculty is keeping up with current trends. Get started to day and you will have an easier time making a college decision that you won’t regret.

Every year millions of students go off to college with all kinds of hopes and dreams.  During their high school graduation they are told the future is bright.  As is common with any new experiences there are a lot of adjustments that students must make.  There are a lot of encounters with roommates and adjustments for different ways of living.  For example one student might be very accustomed to a clean room while the other likes to leave their clothes wherever they take them off.  This is a common occurrence on a college campus.  A good book for a college freshman is “Who Moved My Cheese” By Spencer Johnson.  There will be plenty of changes during the freshman year. The first year of college is a significant time when students grow and change emotionally and intellectually.  Here are a few college success tips for students to consider:

1.  Arrive on campus early so that you can get to know where your classes are located.

2.  Find an upper-class student who can serve as your mentor.

3.  Form a study group for difficult courses right away.

4.  Meet with all of the teachers during their office hours the first week of classes.

5.  Focus on your fitness.  Go to the gym three times a week.

6.  Get to know your resident assistant.  They can be very helpful.

7.  Meet your faculty advisor and let him/her know your interest.

8.  Meet the dean/director of your department.  You never know when you will need their help.

9.  Go to the library to get other books about your course topic.

10.  Have fun and join an organization that allows you to network with students from other majors.

Attending college can be one of the most enjoyable experiences in life.  I have met many students in college whose friendship has lasted for a lifetime.  College should be a time of exploration where you get to find out many things about yourself.  You can create a fresh vision for your future by participating in campus activities and taking on a leadership role in your college.

Allow your first year to be a time of seeking new information about your self and your career.  If you are not exactly sure of what you want perform a career search.  Sometimes just by talking to a company representative you can identify some area of interest.  For example did you know that many math majors are hired by an insurance company?  It’s important to have different types of career experiences throughout your college years.   The freshman year is not too early to refine your career search.  You can go to events to meet alumni and also attend the campus wide career fair.

Going to college is a great way to take the limits off of your possibilities. When you meet professors in their offices go prepared with questions.  You must be willing to challenge yourself to learn new things from each of the courses that you attend.  There may be questions that your professor is willing to answer when you are in their office.  You can build a good reputation as a student who is serious about your major.  Make this freshman year a success by exploring all of your options.

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There are many questions about careers that seem to go unanswered. Recently it has been so difficult to narrow the fields where jobs will continue to be plentiful.  Globally companies are competing for the people who can help them to deliver the goods and services that the markets need.  These companies require a variety of people to fill their talent pool.  The question that many students are asking is how to position their education so that a career is possible.

One of the key factors is recognizing that your education must be continuous.  You must keep up on the latest trends in your field. Do you know the people who excel and get promoted because of their accomplishments?  You can read about them in business journals and the internet.  You are the catalyst for your future career opportunities.  Don’t let others place limits on what you accomplish.  Stay connected with teachers and professionals who were researching the latest trends in your field.  There are seven hot careers to consider: (1) engineering, (2) nursing, (3) health care, (4) physical therapy, (5) career consultant and (6) energy technician.  The opportunities in these fields will continue to grow at a steady pace into the future. 

A common area to watch in each of these fields is how new technology influences the way that products and services are delivered.  You will notice that new drugs and materials will shape how all of the industries interact with each other.  There will be a greater need for collaboration among all of these professionals.  The connections may not happen on just one continent.  People will interact globally to determine how certain careers will grow.

You must be ready for change for the foreseeable future.  You will use the technology to keep up with trends.  The use of online courses will continue to grow and so will downloads of content that can be used to conduct training on Ipods and on cell phones.  Try to pursue teleconferences where you can talk to other professionals in field.  You will find that there are people who are willing to help.  They can point you to resources that will help you to become more knowledgeable about your career.

Take the limits off your potential to change as your profession moves forward.  Don’t allow your knowledge to become obsolete. You are in control of your career destiny.  Another way to grow is by listening to books on CD.  Some magazines and books have CDs that you can listen to while you are driving or working at home.  You can set the pace for your career if you remain flexible to adapt to new innovations in the way that instructors in your field are thinking.

Get ready for your career to take off in a new direction every day.  There are some great leaders that you can follow to succeed. The response that you receive as you expand your career options will be based on your input.  Can you imagine what it would be like to know that you are making the right decision about your career?  These are the ways to improve the career decisions you are making everyday.  It’s time to create a bright future and a new pathway to an exciting career.

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