College News & Views - Vol. 1

BetterGrads College News & Views is a weekly collection of college-themed posts around the web. Our social media team, partners and guest contributors take part in providing this service to you. This week, we came across several articles related to being ready for college, what students think of the price tag for a degree, and some tips students can use when gearing up for the semester.   College Preparation: ACT Scores show 1 in 4 high school grads are unprepared for college (TIME) Standardized tests are questioned by many as a legitimate measuring system for a student’s success, but this year’s ACT results are out, regardless. Nearly 30 percent fell below the college-level standards in English, math, science and reading. Is this reflective of a larger problem? Or are there other ways we can effectively test students’ college preparedness? Getting ready for college (Freelance Writer Network) This author provides a [...]

Avoiding the Holiday Crash

When I was watching “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” on Halloween night in college, I was excited. Thanksgiving was around the corner with the holidays following afterwards.

I also was amazed at the fact that I had been at college for nearly three months. Time went by fast! I started to think about all the good food: warm apple pie, sweet pumpkin pie, homemade pasta with the freshly grated cheese…

“Wait,” I warned myself. “College isn’t over yet. In fact, it’s just beginning. Don’t get roped into abandoning your scholarly duties just yet!”

Looking back to my first day of college, I was overwhelmed with the idea that I was not going to be able to succeed at college. After all, according to the American Institute for Research, in 2010 nearly 30% of freshmen will drop out of college by the end of their first year, presumably due to their workload, their inability to properly manage their time, or even too much partying.

All-Nighters and Other College Sleeping Myths

Side effects include: heart disease stress depression No, these are not documented side effects from consuming too much candy on Halloween. And no, this is not a new FDA-mandated warning label that will appear on cans of the controversial energy drink Four Loko. Rather these are the some of the long-term side effects stemming from lack of sleep.

High School vs. College: Views of A College Freshman

“Beep… beep… beep…” The alarm clock goes off, and you hit the snooze button. You expect to have your mother’s kisses, or your father’s tickles, to wake you up. When you realize they’re not there, you jerk yourself out of your slumber. This isn’t high school. You remember… you’re now in the real world. You’re now at college. As you turn to look at the clock, you see you’re late for European History, having spent all night attempting to finish that psychology assignment. It’s now a quarter to eight, and you have to be across the campus in 15 minutes.

Why I’m pro-procrastination (sort of)

It took all of college and this first year of graduate to realize that when I reach this point, it’s time to call a spade a spade and stop torturing myself! Setting bite-size goals is definitely a great way to get things done, but giving into distraction can sometimes be the best way to go.

The Computer Conversation: Are laptops in class too distracting?

Don’t get me wrong, access to technology greatly enriches education. But this doesn’t mean that we should allow it to distract us from the basics or replace important learning processes.

Home for The Holidays

Thanksgiving weekend is a time when many college students are able to return home and see their families for the first time since those August and September move-in days. When college is within driving distance from home, making the return trip by car for the Thanksgiving holiday feels like any other time when you come home for the weekend, give or take the turkey, pumpkin pie, and other festive foods that await you this time around. But for students who attend college 3,000 miles from home, the annual Thanksgiving trek, and home excursions in general, take on a different meaning, one of self-reflection and an opportunity to reconnect with family members and friends. So, in the spirit of the holidays, where family gatherings and yummy food, await bleary-eyed, jet-lagged college students, I will be interviewing my sister, Sarah, a senior at Columbia College, in NYC, who will share some of [...]

Academic Support

When struggling with a subject in high school, you might have looked for a local tutor to help clear up the confusion. And it was safe to say that the tutor was either a local college student, or recent college graduate. So, what happens in college when you are struggling with your coursework? Who tutors the college kids? Who offers to the opportunity to proofread your 20-page research paper a few days before you need to turn it in? Who offers the opportunity to take un-timed exams if you have a documented learning disorder? All of these things happen when you take advantage of your college’s Center for Academic Excellence / Writing Center. These places are usually located somewhere within the caverns of your school’s library (which should become one of your top-5 places you could be found, during any given day, while in college), and should be put to [...]

Why You Should Not Fear Failure While in College

In continuing to answer questions sent from the Granada High students, I wanted to spend some time answering one that was not included in Lisa’s post. The question was something along the lines of, “What was your favorite memory from your days in college?” The easy answer would be something along the lines of, “Well, there was this one weekend, where I went to this fraternity / sorority house, and everything that happened that night made me feel like I was in Asher Roth’s ‘I Love College’ video / “Animal House.” During my college career, I did partake in these kinds of weekend activities. But, those fleeting moments did not define my college experience. On the contrary, my favorite college memories include the times I failed. In particular, failing one of my intermediate economics courses was probably one of the best things to happen to me, and here’s why: Failing [...]

Alternative Weekend Activities

In the spirit of Friday, I believe that it is only appropriate to discuss other fun things you can do during the weekend instead of partying like a rock-star :) 1). Get to know your local community: There is always something fun and exciting happening on a Friday night within your college’s local community. In Eagle Rock, CA, there was a fantastic farmer’s market with delicious fruits and vegetables, and some of the best floral arrangements I had ever seen. There were plenty of times where I purchased the raw ingredients that were soon to become part of scrumptious dinner dishes later that night. Research whatever it is that your future school’s community specializes in, and take advantage of the opportunity. On a similar note, take advantage of the your community’s cultural offerings. Perhaps there is a huge Lebanese population and there are a plethora of delectable Mediterranean restaurants surrounding [...]