Going to College in Chicago: What You Need to Know

Being a college student in Chicago is one of the coolest states of being ever recorded. Chicago’s a great city, and there’s always plenty of fun stuff to do around town. But there are some very important things to keep in mind.

For one thing, Chicago’s a modern city, which means the roads can be difficult to navigate. When it comes to Chicago apartments, you want one close to the train or on the bus line. The closer you are to mass transit, the easier it is to get to class, to work, or to the best drink special you can find. Those are all vitally important things to the proper expression of college life. But transportation isn’t everything. You also want to make sure you’re in a reasonably good neighborhood. When you don’t have a lot of local friends, being in a lower crime area is worth the extra costs. Being in an unfamiliar area kind of walks the line between being really exciting and seriously scary, so finding your way around is definitely going to be a priority when you first move in.

Take a few days and just walk around. In a city as big as Chicago is, you just never know what you’re going to find until it’s right in front of you. There is always some little hole in the wall that serves the best of something or sells the funkiest whatever, and when you take a date there he or she will be impressed with how well you know the area. You never have to tell them you just found the place last week. You’re going to have the best time.

Filed Under: Education, International Learning Tagged With: , ,

Majors in High Demand

When you are trying to decide on what to major in it should be a combination of doing something you love and doing something you can be successful in the field. Yet, as times change so do the careers that are in the most demand.  There are some fields that will be in demand for a long time to come, such as IT, medicine, and education. Granted some of these fields pay much more than others but as long as there are people we will need medical care and someone to educate us.

Within these fields there are certain majors that stand out when choosing your path at college. Princeton Review offered its take on the top ten college majors and Business Administration and Management/Commerce topped the list. Our society is driven by business and commerce and as a result skilled management is like gold. Companies want the individual who can put them at the top of the market share in their industry. The catch is that many people go into this field therefore it is highly competitive. The other nine majors consist of psychology, nursing, biological sciences, education, English language and literature, economics, com

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: ,

Should I Attend a Campus or Obtain an Online Education?

For some individuals going to a traditional campus is not feasible due to limited college schedules. For a person who has to work a traditional 40 hour a week day job many traditional campus class schedules do not work out very well. Some universities are starting to see that in order to attract students they must offer classes during the evening or online. As the economy makes it harder for individuals to live without a full time job, it makes it even more difficult to balance work, family and school.

While online courses do make it easier for a person who works full time and has an active schedule, there are things to consider about educating yourself from home. First, will you be able to fully commit to getting on your computer to absorb the knowledge when your favorite television show is on in the other room? There are a lot of distractions a person must compete with and it is important to know you will be able to overcome these distractions at home.  The other option is to find a local coffee shop to become your school room. Either way you will need to be able to focus on the work at hand. For individuals who are easily distracted it may benefit you to research the university schedules to figure out a way to be in the classroom. You will still have homework that will have the same issues regarding distractions, but often the traditional classroom can help the easily distracted become more focused.

Of course one of the main aspects of choosing a university is to determine that the school offers all of the courses that you will need to complete your education. A good and credible online school is earnmydegree.com, and you’d have countless or certifications, degrees and courses to choose from.

Also, ensure that whatever college you attend is an accredited university. When obtaining an education, you need to do the proper research to determine that the school meets the requirements of other universities.

Filed Under: Education, Online Learning Tagged With: , ,

What is Collaborative Learning?

In the world of education there are many types of education programs and ways of learning. A method that is becoming more popular is the form of collaborative learning. This form of learning is just what it sounds like, it is a collaboration among two or more learners. Basically, it is a group process in which the individuals learn due to the sharing of the experiences of all members.

There are a variety of forms in collaborative learning such as collaborative networked learning, computer-supported collaborative learning, learning management systems and learning in virtual worlds just to name a few. Each has its benefits and drawbacks, but the basis premise of sharing information and experiences is very similar.

Collaborative networked learning usually is electronic and consists of teams with a group leader. Yet, even though there is a group leader each member depends on other members for the project that they are working on to succeed. Computer-supported collaborative learning is very similar but the reliance on technology to regulate the group is more important. Learning management systems incorporate the use of tools, such as virtual classrooms, to help the group achieve their goals.

No matter what form the collaborative learning takes, it consistently requires a group of people participating. Therefore, it is a good tool to help individuals learn to work together in situations of deadlines, assignments, and other aspects of learning that can apply to real world work scenarios. In the workforce one of the hardest aspects of a job is to be able to work with other people that you may not particularly like, but tolerate to get the job done.

Filed Under: Collaborative Learning, Education Tagged With: , ,

How Do I Know What is The Best Online Education?

In today’s society many people find that they do not have enough time to attend a traditional university. In this case many turn to online education. One of the problems of online education for some is determining which online university meets the standards required for the field in which they wish to study. So how does a person go about determining which online universities are places of quality education?

The first step is to determine whether the college offers the courses necessary for your field should you need to attend graduate school. When you have found a school that offers the courses and majors in which you are interested you should investigate the accreditation of the university. Accreditation by various institutes can ensure that the university meets the minimum standards of quality education. The U.S. Department of Education has a website in which you can do a search to find whether the school of your interest is an accredited university. On the site you can search either by institution or by the accrediting agency. If your school is not an accredited your degree may not be accepted at graduate levels or even by some employers.

It is very important to do your research on the online universities. Just like any area of the internet there can be scams waiting for you to jump on and later you will discover after spending thousands of dollars that your degree is worth less than the paper your diploma is printed on (if you even get a diploma). Therefore, do not make a spur of the moment decision.

Filed Under: Education, Online Learning Tagged With: ,

How Can I Finance a Study Abroad Program?

Many students seek to experience new adventures during college and one such adventure can be the study abroad program. The main obstacle for some students is how to finance their trip. If money is tight there are options that can be investigated such as scholarships.

International Education Financial Aid is a website that has a scholarship search, links to loan programs, and other resources to help a student finance their study abroad program. Planning is necessary to go on a study abroad program, so do not wait until the last minute to apply for a scholarship. Usually scholarships have certain deadlines and a limited number are awarded. It may be necessary to supplement a scholarship even if you are lucky to be the one who is awarded.  Therefore, it would be wise to look into other options for financing.

Many individuals will work a second job to save the money for a trip, borrow money from parents, or obtain a loan from a financial institution. If you are obtaining a loan keep in mind that you will have to repay the loan and often the first payment of the loan may come due while you are in your study abroad program. So you must have a means to cover your payment for your loan.

Whatever your choice for financing a study abroad program it should be one that is carefully thought out. Study abroad programs are wonderful experiences, but ensure that when you return you do not return to a financial nightmare. Planning should also include additional amounts for extra expenses and for emergencies.  Do not assume that everything will go as planned.  Many travelers find themselves in situations they could not have foreseen so be prepared for here and abroad.

Filed Under: Collaborative Learning, Study Abroad Tagged With: , ,

The Causes and Solutions of Inequality in School Systems

In an ideal world, every school would offer the same opportunities to receive high levels of education and experience. In the real world, though, everyone knows that some schools prosper while others fall behind. This has a negative effect on neighborhoods with poor schools because they children there never get the opportunity to learn the skills that they need to succeed in life.

Inequality in School Systems

Much of the inequality in school systems comes from phenomena called gentrification and “white flight.” Gentrification occurs when affluent people move into a poor neighborhood, bringing along the high-priced stores that serve them. This often increases housing costs in the area, which makes it difficult for long-term residents to afford their bills and continue using services in the neighborhood. This has a negative impact on families, which, in turn, has a negative impact on the local schools.

White flight is a phenomenon that occurs when white people move to the suburbs to escape the city. When they leave their original neighborhoods, they take their tax dollars with them. Without affluent families paying property taxes, the schools lack funding to purchase important equipment and hire good teachers.

Combating Inequality in Schools Systems

Some school systems combat inequality by giving certain students vouchers to charter schools. These vouchers allow children to attend private schools without paying for the education. Instead, the government picks up the tab. Others simply do not know what to do. The children attending those schools rarely get the education that they need to succeed in life.

Preventing Inequality Between Schools

A good property management firm can help prevent these inequalities by keeping the area in good condition even though many affluent families have left the neighborhood. Mesa property management firms can keep real estate attractive to entice new buyers to come to the area. When new buyers move in, they take the places of those who left and contribute tax dollars to the local school system.

Filed Under: Collaborative Learning, Education Tagged With: , ,

The Benefits of Study Abroad Programs

While in college many universities offer students the opportunity to study abroad. What can be gained by traveling to other countries to study college subjects? From foreign language classes to anthropology expeditions there are a wide array of programs that can be found in many schools. What are the benefits?

Global Student Experience offers some insight into reasons why you should study abroad.  The first reason is that studying abroad can change your perspective on your own country and the world in which you live. Many people never travel very far from where they grew up, much less travel to other countries. Therefore, studying in a foreign country can help students to appreciate their own culture and other cultures. Another reason is to earn credit toward your degree. Often the programs will earn a student a certain number of credit hours toward their degree. How can you beat a trip to an exotic location and getting closer to graduation?

StudyAbroad.com helps students get information about different programs all over the world. Not only does the site list various programs, but it also gives valuable information about travel essentials. Subjects range from art to engineering and the programs can be from volunteer programs to academic year programs. There are quite a few resources to help finance a study abroad program and many scholarships are listed on the site.

For individuals who are learning a foreign language what better way to learn than to be surrounded by native speakers of the language. Direct immersion into a culture can be very beneficial for learning a new language. So it is highly recommended for students who are majoring in a foreign language to take advantage of a study abroad program. But whatever your major, it is always good to try new experiences that will increase your knowledge and help make you a better person.

Filed Under: Collaborative Learning, Study Abroad Tagged With: , ,

Should I Go To Graduate School?

Getting through your undergraduate years is quite an achievement. For some this is as far as they wish to travel in the pursuit of education. Yet, for others it is just the beginning. Graduate school is an important aspect of being able to gain entry into certain fields or careers. So how do you determine whether you need to go to graduate school?

Peterson’s offers information on not only why you should go to graduate school but also why you should not go to graduate school. The top reason given to go is a higher earning potential. This is obvious in many fields, but not guaranteed. There is no certainty that anyone will graduate from a masters or doctorate program and earn any more than if they simply had a bachelors degree. Other reasons offered are to advance your career, research opportunities, and even travel opportunities.

Some of the reasons that you should not go to graduate school are that they are highly competitive, require several years to complete, are stressful, and often students graduate with high levels of debt. Therefore, it is important that a student considers all aspects good and bad before leaping into the world of graduate school. A large focus in today’s society is the increase in students defaulting on student loans. Graduate schools are often a great deal more expensive than undergraduate schools, so financial realities should play a role in your decision.

Obviously if you are pursuing becoming a doctor, a teacher at a university or lawyer then graduate school will be necessary. Therefore, plan in advance and research grants and other finacial opportunities. There are some institutions and employers that will even help pay for your education if you are willing to continue your work with the organization for a period of time. There are opportunities that can help you attend graduate school if you take the time to look.

Filed Under: Collaborative Learning, Education Tagged With: , ,

The Top Business Schools in the United States

The need for individuals who excel at management, marketing, and other areas of the business world will always be part of our society. Therefore, there will always be interest in which business schools offer the best education and produce the best graduates. Companies compete on a daily basis for market share and their employees are considered their most valuable resource. Which schools should you look into if you want to compete in the marketplace for these positions within the corporate world?

According to Bloomberg Businessweek the best undergraduate school for business is the University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business in Notre Dame, Indiana. In the 2009 – 2010 year only 29% of those who applied were accepted and of those 97% were of the top 25% of their high school class. On the full-time graduate level the top spot goes to the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business. In Booth 22% of the applicants were actually accepted into the college. Of these accepted the average age of the person entering the program was 28 years old. With the increase in interest in distance learning the Businessweek site also lists some of the online programs that are available to students.

The level of education that you achieve can make a difference in how much money you can earn. An article by BusinessSchoolEdge.com compares the differences between associates, bachelor, masters and doctorate degrees. For example with an associates degree an average for an office manager is $37,380. On the other hand, for an individual who has an MBA there is the possibility of a salary in the medical field on average of $111,477. Therefore, you should do your research into the various schools to determine how far you want to go and which university will provide the best education. Just getting an MBA will not guarantee a six-figure salary; therefore, take the time plan your education and goals after college properly.

Filed Under: Collaborative Learning, Education Tagged With: , ,
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »