Is college worth the money?

This blog post will talk about how to make your college education worthwhile by giving you the tools you need to make the right decisions about what to study.

Take Heart, It’s Not All Bad News

In their book Academically Adrift, authors and researchers Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa uncover some discouraging news. They write, “With a large sample of more than 2300 students, we observe no statistically significant gains in critical thinking, complex reasoning, and writing skills for at least 45% of the students in our study.”

This tidbit of information has made a pretty big sensation in the media. After all, why would anyone want to spend a fortune on an education that isn’t actually working for 45% of the students who enroll?

What about the 55% of students who do make statistically significant gains? Is college worth a shot if you can be one of the successful students?

Despite what these researchers are saying, statistics show that people with college degrees are better off than those without.

In a study by Pew Research Center, researchers find, “On virtually every measure of economic well-being and career attainment—from personal earnings to job satisfaction to the share employed full time—young college graduates are outperforming their peers with less education.”

What’s more, a high school diploma doesn’t give you nearly the number of opportunities it gave past generations. Researchers write, “The economic analysis finds that Millennial college graduates ages 25 to 32 who are working full time earn more annually—about $17,500 more—than employed young adults holding only a high school diploma. The pay gap was significantly smaller in previous generations. College-educated Millennials also are more likely to be employed full time than their less-educated counterparts (89% vs. 82%) and significantly less likely to be unemployed (3.8% vs. 12.2%).”

And even though the cost of education has risen obscenely over the last several decades, Pew finds that “about nine-in-ten [students] with at least a bachelor’s degree say college has already paid off (72%) or will pay off in the future (17%).”

So Is College Worth the Money?

All this said, it’s kind of a catch-22. If you don’t go to college, then you risk being unemployed or underemployed and underpaid. If you do go to college, then you risk being mired in student loans that can be difficult to pay off, and you may not make as many educational gains as you would hope after such a big investment.

The answer to this dilemma is to find a degree that is actually worth something to you. What makes a degree worth something to you? It’s a combination of three factors:

1. Smart financial investment. Choose a program that is a smart financial investment—one that will give you enough earning potential to repay your student loans. This will help mitigate the high cost of education.
2. Career opportunities. Choose a program that will allow you to find a career in a growing industry. This will help mitigate insecurity in the job market.
3. Interest and aptitude. Finally, choose a program that you have interest in and aptitude for. This will make it much more likely that you will be in the 55% of students who learn something in school.

When you put all three of these considerations together, you will be able to achieve educational success.

Which College Degrees Are Worth It?

Before you settle on your major, it’s a good idea to do some research to determine which industries are going to set you up for success in the future.

According to PayScale.com, the top 7 of 10 degrees that lead to the highest paying jobs are in engineering. The other three are in physics, math, and computer science.

This might come as a serious disappointment for any student who finds a thrill in the arts, humanities, or English disciplines. I remember when, to my parents’ horror, I announced I would be majoring in English Creative Writing of all things. They wondered what I would do with such a “useless” degree. (You should note that I graduated with my English degree the same year that Peter Merholz coined the word “blog”–yeah I’m that old…)

People who shun engineering and mathematics need not despair. It turns out that there is hope for English majors who, according to PayScale.com, have a mid-career earning potential of $71,400. A major in advertising can bring in $79,400 annually, with enough effort. And a major in fashion design can eventually lead to a lucrative career attached to a $77,100 annual salary.

None of these salaries are anything to laugh at. Yeah, you’re not looking at the income potential of the next Steve Jobs (who famously didn’t graduate from college), but you are looking at enough earning potential to repay your student loans and enjoy a comfortable life doing something you like.

So whether you make six figures as a petroleum engineer or a more modest income in advertising, picking a degree in a field that interests you will set you up for the highest success in the future.

If you’re not sure what industry interests you but are positive that you want to pick a major that will lead to a career with long-term potential, let’s talk about how to determine the fastest growing industries and select an education to fit that.

The Top 14 Fastest Growing, Highest Paying Jobs

If you’re concerned about competing for jobs in an unstable job market, you might want to focus your sights on achieving an education in one of the fastest growing industries.

I’ve created a table based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which shows the top 14 highest paying and fastest growing careers over the next decade (2012-2022). (Check out the full list of fastest growing careers.)

What strikes me about this list is that most of the careers are in the medical field. In fact, 12 of 14 of the jobs listed here are related to healthcare.

You’ll notice the columns labeled “Education Requirement” and “Investment.” The higher the level of education you need to qualify for the career, the higher the financial and time investment will be.

Among the careers on this list, it looks like earning an associate’s degree to become a dental hygienist will bring you the highest salary ($70k annually) with the lowest investment ($30k total for associate’s degree).

I highly suggest that, as you try to determine your career path, you explore the Occupational Outlook Handbook as compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can search for jobs, find out their growth potential, and learn about the experience and education requirements for any given industry.

Let’s say, for example, you want to find more information on what it takes to become an air traffic controller. Just type in “air traffic controller” in the search box, and you’ll find this handy little page:

It gives you information on how much you can earn (six figures!), the education requirements (associate’s degree), how many jobs there are in the industry (25,000 jobs in 2012), and other interesting details.

Once you have determined your desired course of study, you can find the best school for you by searching this database of best schools by major.

Then when you’ve settled on what you want to study and where, you can find out exactly how much your college experience is going to cost.

Some Final Thoughts on Whether College is Worth It

Is college worth the money?

The answer is, yes.

Let’s face it. A high school education isn’t enough to succeed in most endeavors anymore. Even though a college education can be an expensive proposition, if you make smart choices about what to study, you can make it worth the investment.

To learn more about ways to make college more affordable, read my post on no-essay scholarships and this one with ideas on how to pay for college.

Good luck!

For these reasons and many more, going back to school is a decision that can’t be taken lightly.

In my last post, Is Going Back to School at 30 the Right Decision For You?, I addressed how to decide whether or not you should go back to school and how to decide what you should study.

This post will cover how to pay for college and how to balance your work-life responsibilities as an adult student.

Ask Yourself: How Are You Going to Pay for College?

One of the reasons that going back to school is such a big decision is because it’s an expensive proposition. Unless you’re independently wealthy and going back to school just for the fun of it, you’re going to have to get creative with your funding sources to pay for college.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average tuition and fees for the 2012-2013 school year were as follows:

• Public Institutions (i.e. state colleges like the University of Colorado or California)
  • $7,500/year, in-state. A four-year degree will cost approximately $30k.
  • $17,000/year, out-of-state. A four-year degree will cost approximately $68k.

• Private Institutions (i.e. College America or The Art Institute)
  • $15,400/year. A four-year degree will cost approximately $61k.

Also, note that these rates tend to increase year after year.

When you are coming up with tens of thousands of dollars to fund something, you might want to ask: 

Is there any way you can minimize your debt?

When considering how to pay for college, it may be tempting to take out your entire tuition in the form of easy-to-get loans. However, there are ways to make the final amount you pay out of pocket smaller—possibly much smaller. 

First, look for scholarships.

I’ve heard many adult students complain, “There aren’t a lot of scholarships out there.” The truth is that there is a whole boatload of them—you just have to know where to look.

The obvious choice is to talk to your financial aid office at school about scholarship opportunities. But this isn’t your only resource.

On the Internet, the world of scholarships is at your fingertips.

First, I suggest that you visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s scholarship search tool. This will lead you to some pretty helpful scholarship options. Here’s a screenshot of the tool:

But, if you want to cast your scholarship net even wider, consider joining one of the many free “college decision” websites. I’ve tried a few, but my favorite is Cappex.com. Cappex and similar services like SuperCollege.com and College Niche offer databases of university and scholarship information.

In fact, it was through Cappex that I found the following unusual scholarship opportunities:

Author Linda Lael Miller offers a scholarship worth up to $1,000 to women who are 25 years or older and are seeking to enhance their family’s future through education.

Although the scholarship may not be currently open, I spoke to Linda’s PR person, Nancy Berland, who says, “Linda will run her scholarship competition again—this is something like the 11th or 12th year she has done this. Usually we launch in June. Women need to either join Linda’s reader e-list on www.LindaLaelMiller.com—she sends early notification to that list—or keep an eye on her website. Linda is passionate about helping women looking to better their lot in life through education!”

Another fun scholarship I found was the Ayn Rand Atlas Shrugged contest, open to undergrad and grad students. Writing 800-1600 words can win you up to $10,000. This is an annually recurring scholarship, and you can apply even while you are in school.

Remember to have your scholarship essay edited before you submit it!

There are many more opportunities like this one. For more ideas, check out this post on no-essay scholarships that are easy to apply for.

Scholarships aren’t the only way to minimize your student loan debt.

If your income is low enough, you may also be eligible for grants.

When thinking about how to pay for college, don’t forget the power of grants. Grants are completely free money! No essay, no work—you just have to have a low enough income to qualify. Here is a great tool to help you search for grant assistance on a state-by-state basis.

And if scholarships and grants aren’t enough, as an adult student, you may have a resource that a traditional student won’t have: your employer.

Will your workplace help pay for your tuition?

Your current employer is another great place for you to seek money for your education. Obviously this choice isn’t for everyone, particularly if you are going to school to get out of your current job or because you don’t have a job.

However, if your new skills will benefit the company you currently work for, it may help you pay. Even if you work in a small company that doesn’t have an existing education assistance program, you should still ask your boss if the company could offer education assistance.

One reason your boss may be interested in helping fund your education is that there are income tax benefits to be gained by doing so. Your employer can donate up to $5,250 per year in funds toward your education on a tax-free basis.

And speaking of tax credits, if and when you do go back to school, don’t forget to take advantage of the tax breaks being a student gives you, including the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit.

Now the next credit you should consider has nothing to do with taxes, and everything to do with your experiences.

Does your school have a non-traditional credit program? 

When you’re trying to figure out how to pay for college, don’t underestimate the power of your experience. One of the benefits of going back to school as an adult is that some institutions will allow you to earn credit for your real-life experience.

For example, if you speak Spanish because you spent a year teaching English in Ecuador, you can test out of language classes, or if you spent a few years in the Army, your military service can equate to credits at some institutions.

By earning credits toward graduation without having to take or pay for some of the classes, you can save hundreds, or thousands, of dollars. Check with your school to see if any of your real-life experiences translate to credit.

Speaking of credit, you should put your credit card away for a while and… 

Save up some money.

I know, saving money before spending it seems like a pretty antiquated idea in our credit-friendly economy, but it might do you well to save up some bankroll before signing up for school.

Try working a second job for a year or two and using the extra money you make to cover part of your tuition. The bonus of this pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps tactic is that you’ll learn a little bit about the time management you’ll need to master when your second job becomes going to school.

If all of that isn’t enough, apply for a federal student loan.

The first thing you need to do when applying for a federal loan is to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). No matter how old you are, you are always eligible to apply for federal student aid. Filling out the FAFSA also helps you obtain federal grants if you have a low income.

Federal loans are typically a better buy than private loans (like from your bank) because you lock in a fixed interest rate, and with payoff schedules lasting ten or more years, keeping that rate fixed will save you interest in the long run.

This article at Forbes.com has great information about federal vs. private loans.

If you do end up taking out a loan, I definitely recommend you read how to avoid four mistakes when it comes to managing your student loan.

Now that I’ve given you some ideas for funding your education adventure, let’s talk about time management.

Ask Yourself: How Are You Going to Balance School With Your Other Responsibilities?

When you were 20, your biggest responsibility may have been the part-time job at the sandwich shop. But now, you’re all grown up and have a pile of responsibilities bigger than the laundry pile lurking next to your washing machine.

If you have kids, who will care for them while you are studying and in class? Even if your kids are teenagers, the time you spend burying your nose in your math textbook is going to take away from the time you can spend telling them what not to wear to school.

So consider how you’re going to balance this responsibility. Many parents use going back to school as a way to be a better role model. For example, you can do your homework at the same time your child does his. A family that does homework together stays together!

If you are in a committed relationship, talk to your partner about how schooling will affect your availability and make sure that he or she is on board with the idea. You’re going to need your partner’s support and encouragement in the grueling, homework-filled nights ahead.

Will you be able to continue to work full-time? Or will you have to cut back your work hours to make time for studying? Find out if your employer will offer you flexible hours so that you have more time to pursue your studies.

If that’s not an option, you may need to take school a little more slowly and attend part-time. Also, take into consideration that for every three credits hours you’ll have at least three hours of homework per week.

As you are considering how much responsibility to take on, remember that there are only 168 hours in a week and you still need time to sleep, shower, eat, and take care of yourself and your loved ones!

Here’s a fun calculation for you:

168 hours in a week
-49 hours for sleep (7 hours/night—but wouldn’t you prefer 8?)
-40 hours full-time work
-10 hours commuting (assuming a half hour each way/5 days per week)
-9 hours class time (3 classes per week as a part-time, but ambitious, student)
-9 hours of homework (at minimum! Plan for more on testing weeks.)
51 hours per week remaining to take care of yourself, your home, partner, friends, family, and pets

This may seem like a lot of time, but consider that before you started school, you had 69 hours to work with, and you already felt like you could hardly keep up.

Now imagine if you upped that to a full-time schedule of 15 hours of class time (and 15 corresponding hours of homework)—it would only leave you with 39 hours per week to take care of your life outside of work and school.

For more great tips, read Amy Hoak’s article about balancing school with work and family.

How are you going to get all that homework done?

Once you get into school, you’ll rediscover the harsh reality of homework. You’re certainly going to be burning the midnight oil (or is it the midnight laptop glare?) to stay on top of your studies.

Try to plan ahead to tackle any learning issues that you know may be lurking in your background. For example, if you have never been a great writer, consider the value of hiring an editor to help you polish your papers before you turn them in. Now is not the time to lose points on your GPA because of difficulties with grammar.

Or, if you have never been great at math, but find that you have to take a math class to earn the right credits toward your degree, consider the value of hiring a tutor to assist you. If you’re not sure where to look, there are lots of online tutor directories like this one.

The other thing you should consider is joining a study group at school to help capitalize on other students’ assets and contribute your own strengths. Sometimes having a study buddy makes a big difference in motivation levels.

Finally, I had a chance to chat with two students over 30 to find out how they manage to balance their work and family lives with school and homework. Here’s what they had to say.

Interview #1: Meet Holly

Holly is a recent 40+ grad. Here’s her story.

Me: Hi Holly, thanks for chatting with me today!

Holly: No problem! Thanks for having me.

Me: First of all, how old are you? Yes, your real age.

Holly: I’m 41.

Me: And where did you attend school?

Holly: I just received my Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services Management from the University of Phoenix.

Me: Phoenix, Arizona?

Holly: (Laughing) Everyone says that! No, it’s actually a private college in Colorado.

Me: Oh yeah, I’ve heard of that place! Aside from school, what other responsibilities did you have to juggle?

Holly: I am a single parent of one, and I have three cats, five hermit crabs, and tons of housework.

Me: I’m sure those hermit crabs kept you really busy.

Holly: Ha! Yeah, busier than you might think, actually!

Me: So between the cats, the crustaceans, and your daughter, how did you manage to get any schoolwork done?

Holly: I actually am very good at time management and it was common for me to ask for help from both my daughter and friends.

Me: Is that your secret to success? Asking for help?

Holly: That’s part of it. Also, I studied when I knew I would be home alone and I only did homework when I was free of distraction. Studying or working on a project any other time was a waste of my time.

Me: You do sound like a time management expert! Why did you decide to go back to school anyway?

Holly: I went back to school because I knew it would play a role in my daughter’s educational goals and desire to be a success.

Me: So you did it to be a good role model?

Holly: Yes, and I wanted to be educated so that I could work with high-risk teens, educating the public about addiction and the effects of addiction. My education provided a foundation for me to pursue this dream.

Me: Any stellar advice for someone considering going back to school after age 30?

Holly: My advice is to get an education! The reward of achieving goals is substantial.

Interview # 2: Meet Antonia

Antonia just started her journey toward earning a degree as a 37-year-old single mom of twin girls. Here’s her story.

Me: Hi Antonia, thanks for taking the time out of your crazy busy schedule to chat today.

Antonia: Not a problem! This is a nice distraction.

Me: So, where are you attending school?

Antonia: I’m going to Front Range Community College for an Associate degree in Applied Science of Holistic Health.

Me: That sounds like an interesting program! What do you plan to do with that degree?

Antonia: As in career goals? Huh, I haven’t really settled on one specific thing yet. I know I love herbal science, so maybe being a master herbalist. But, what if I love psychology more and I end up changing my degree to focus more on that? I’ve left the options open. I want to move forward in my studies and see which subject really speaks to me. I think that’ll help really finalize my decision in the end.

Me: Describe your family and home situation; what’s on your plate?

Antonia: I’m a single mama of beautiful and expressive 11-year-old twin girls. For the past four years, I’ve been self-employed cleaning homes. The furry love of my life is an old Shiba Inu that I rescued over a year ago. She has diabetes and is hypo-thyroid. She needs insulin injections and thyroid pills twice a day. She’s my four-legged, crotchety old lady that I love so much.

Me: You do sound busy! Twin girls and an old lady doggy? How do you manage all that and school?

Antonia: Well, I started out with only 6 credits so that I wouldn’t overwhelm myself. I have one class every morning, I work after class and am finished by the time school gets out. My girls are also very helpful around the house. We have our daily chores so that I’m not bogged down with all of the work, all the while teaching the girls responsibility.

Me: So how are you staying organized and making sure to get all your school work done on time?

Antonia: Since I have only two classes right now, it’s easy to alternate the work. I have one class M, W, F and the other class on T and TH. I study or do the work that’s due the following day even though it’s not the class I attended that morning. It’s working out very well thus far.

Me: That sounds pretty smart! So you’re doing only as much as you can sanely handle.

Antonia: I don’t know about sanely… (laughs)

Me: Why did you decide to go to school? It sounds like you are a pretty successful business owner.

Antonia: I’m going back to school because I am sick of cleaning other people’s homes. I’m grateful I have a job in this economy for sure but, frankly, I’m just not very proud of what I do. I know I’m helping people out by cleaning for them. But, I want to help people in different ways. I want to use my brain. The most important reason, however, is I want a better future for my girls and me. I’m hoping my girls will look back and realize that I didn’t settle for the easy way out. I can only hope that by witnessing me work hard to improve our lives, it will motivate them to work just as hard on their education and make better choices when it comes to their future.

Me: I’m sure you’re an amazing role model for those girls! Do you have any parting thoughts for anyone considering going back to school after 30?

Antonia: I say go for it. As long as you’re motivated, you have a strong support system of family and friends and the desire to change your life for the better, do it. Knowledge is power!

So now that you’ve asked yourself the tough questions, I challenge you to take the next step toward pursuing your dream, whether that’s going back to school or doing something else entirely.

Share your experience with us—did you go back to school after 30? If so, what advice can you offer to others who may be considering going down this road?

Good luck!

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis

Well the good news is that you’re definitely not too old to go back to school—if a 71-year-old can do it, then so can you.

In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, in the 2012-13 school year, 40.5% of enrolled students were 25 to 39 years old, which is not a far cry from the 46% in the “traditional” 18-to-24 age group. And 12% of students enrolled during the school year were over 40.

So the question really isn’t am I too old?

The right question to be asking is whether or not this is going back to school at 30 or older a good decision for you. Going back to school at 30, 40, or even 50 years old is a major life decision that needs to be carefully considered.

Let’s face it—you’re not 18 anymore, and you’ve already made quite a few major decisions from which you can never, ever return. From each of these choices, you’ve experienced successes and failures and piled on a whole ton of responsibilities while you were at it.

You may have had kids (and grandkids!), gotten married (and divorced and married again!), bought a house (or two or three), moved across the world and back (or not), and walked down more than a couple of different career paths.

And here you are on the brink of another big, life-changing, and pretty much irreversible decision.

Should you go back to school?

This is part one of a two-part series that will help you answer this question.

In this post, we’ll discuss four important questions to ask yourself when deciding whether going back to school is the right decision for you. I also interview a 30-something student and ask her for her best advice.

So, Is Going Back to School at 30 Your Best Option?

The number one, most important consideration you need to address before signing up for a college program is: should you go back to school? I mean, are you 100% completely certain that this is the right next step for you?

Without a shred of doubt?

The answer is based entirely on your unique situation and life goals. With that in mind, I’ve come up with four critical questions to ask yourself to help you decide whether going back to school is really your best option.

1. Can you get the credentials you’re seeking through an alternative means?

Are you looking to make yourself more promotable in your current industry? If so, is stepping away (or limiting the hours) from your paying job for two or more years really necessary?

Or, would you be better off taking a certification course to help enhance your existing skill set?

Not all education comes in the form of a university degree. If you are already working in a gainful occupation, sometimes adding a couple of certifications to your name will help make you more sought-after in your career.

Certifications take less time and are a lot less costly than going back to school.

A certification may give you more bang for your buck than a college degree will! (Tweet this)

The U.S. Department of Labor offers a handy certification finder to help you find out more about different certifications you can get in various industries. If you are already working in fields such as real estate, nursing, or IT, for example, then certifications may be the better choice for you.

If there are no certifications in your field of interest, or if you’re really looking for a BIG CHANGE in your life, then perhaps going back to school is still your best option. So read on!

The next question you should ask yourself:

2. Is going back to school at 30 or older worth the money and time that you’ll need to invest?

This question becomes more and more important the older you get because, let’s face it, the older you are, the fewer working years you have ahead of you (hooray!). Going back to school is sort of like pushing the “pause” button on your working life—even if you continue to work while you’re in school, you won’t have the time to put in extra hours or effort on the job.

Going back to school is going to take a lot of resources from you, including a great deal of your time, energy, and money.

But you knew that already, right?

That’s why it’s important to figure out your potential return on investment (ROI).

Common wisdom says that a better education means more earning potential. This wisdom is backed up by some pretty impressive numbers, too.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that people with higher levels of education received higher weekly incomes and were subject to lower unemployment rates. Check out this informative graph from the U.S. Department of Labor:

Based on those numbers, getting your bachelor’s degree can help you almost double your income compared to having no college degree at all. What’s more, having a bachelor’s degree drastically increases your potential for employment.

That said, not all majors and fields of studies are created equally.

Are you looking for an occupation with potential earning power? It might do you well to review these occupation statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It offers a plethora of interesting stats about the highest- and lowest-paying jobs and the highest- and lowest-employing industries.

Judging from the above table, you can potentially double your income if you are currently working as a hospital orderly (at $25k/year) and decide to earn a bachelor’s degree in mortuary science (at $53k/year).

For argument’s sake, let’s say you earn your four-year degree at an in-state school and spend $30k to do it (more on how much school could cost you in next week’s post).

Assuming all goes well, and you get a good-paying job as a mortician in year five, your earnings will increase by $28k/year, which means that for you, school will pay for itself in just over one year of working.

Hooray, you ambitious mortician, you! Going back to school was the right choice.

I suggest you run through a similar ROI evaluation for your decision. First, calculate your potential income change, and then figure out how long your school investment will take to pay off. If you end up being able to recuperate your investment in five or fewer years, you may decide that going back to school is a great choice for you.

That said, any wise person will tell you to never, ever do anything just for money. If you don’t pick an industry that fuels your curiosity and passion, you may not succeed at all, and any money you throw at the endeavor might just be dollars down the drain.

Let me play devil’s advocate for you. While most people think the decision to go back to school is a great plan, here are a few people who think going back to school can spell futility:

Robert Chen says returning to school because you can’t find a job is a bad idea. He writes, “There was a time when an advanced degree was special and having one set you apart from other candidates. Now, not only do more people have advanced degrees, but the cost of higher education is rising much faster than the salary boost it can bring.”

Well that’s not very encouraging!

Daniel Lemire says returning to school for a PhD isn’t a good idea if your only motivation is money. He writes, “I tell my students that they should be in it for the pursuit of knowledge.”

Probably not a bad idea.

Forbes contributor Chereen Zaki says getting an MA hurt her career prospects! She writes, “Two years, twenty-five pounds, and an obscene amount of money later and my master’s degree didn’t sound like a credential, but a mark against me. In the end, I wasn’t offered the job and could only wonder whether my master’s degree was the reason why.”

Twenty-five pounds? Now, that’s a pitfall I hadn’t considered yet!

All of these negative perspectives make me wonder:

3. Would you be better off taking the risk of starting your own business?

Many of the world’s most influential and successful people don’t even have a college degree. If you’re going back to school because you are trying to find a new purpose in your life, you may consider opening your own business.

If you have the expertise, passion, patience, and work ethic to make something grow out of nothing, being an entrepreneur may be a more rewarding option than school.

Both going back to school and starting your own business can be risky. But, if you’re even thinking about plunking down $60k for an MBA, in particular, then I suggest you consider that the money might be better used to fund your business vision instead.

Not sure if being an entrepreneur is right for you? Check out this great Lifehacker article discussing the pros and cons of becoming a business owner.

Now, I’m not saying that education has no value; I’m just challenging you to consider whether furthering your education has a specific and measurable value for you and your goals.

Hopefully the above questions helped you determine whether going back to school is the right choice for you. If you’re still wondering, maybe you should read this post by Donald Asher on 7 reasons to go back to school.

Now, I’m guessing that if you’re still with me and haven’t drifted off into dreaming about opening your own cupcake shop, then you are still thinking school is your best choice.

That leads us to another important question:

4. What are you going to study?

Do you have a well-defined career path in mind?

Chances are, you already know what you want to study—after all, you’ve been on this earth for a while now and have probably figured out some of your major interests in this world.

But, if you’re looking at your choices with the open-minded optimism of your 18-year-old self, now’s your chance to really think this decision through.

After all, you’re paying for college, not your parents, and you probably can’t afford to change your mind after you’ve set out on your educational path.

A great place to start is by visiting the Department of Labor’s list of things to consider when choosing a new career path.  And if you’re seeking to find out more about your strengths and weaknesses to help send you in the right direction, then consider taking this free aptitude test.

Another great resource is AfterCollege.com. The site tries to help you figure out what types of jobs you can seek with your particular education, and then it helps connect you with employers.

It’s a great exercise to run through a few scenarios on this site before you commit to a degree. This way you can get a better idea of where the best opportunities are.

*Bonus* AfterCollege also has a list of scholarships, including a possible $1k prize just for signing up.

Now that you’ve considered whether going back to school is the right choice for you and have thought about what you’re going to study, let’s talk to one student who is successfully managing an adult-student lifestyle.

Interview with a 30-something student: Meet Chelsea

Chelsea is a 35-year-old attending Regis University. Here’s her story.

Me: Hi Chelsea, thanks for chatting with me today.

Chelsea: You’re welcome! I’m actually on a break from school right now, so I’ve got more time.

Me: So what are you studying at Regis?

Chelsea: I’m getting my Bachelor of Liberal Arts with a Specialization in English, minor in Psychology.

Me: Wow! That sounds like a lot. So when do you expect to graduate?

Chelsea: Someday! With working full time, I can only commit to one class at a time, so it’s a long process. I am hoping to be able to walk across a shimmering stage in a nice flowing gown by the spring of 2015.

Me: So aside from slowly knocking out your degree, what do you do?

Chelsea: I live in my fabulously bohemian apartment with nine plants and six brimming bookshelves. I work full-time as an Executive Assistant to one C-level Executive, two Directors and two Project/Product Managers, along with supporting both the development and engineering teams at a start-up software company.  While business hours are typically 8am to 5pm, an assistant’s work is never done. When I’m not doing my homework, I’m usually at Stitch-N-Bitch working on the latest knitting or art project.  Otherwise, I spend a lot of time not doing my laundry or the dishes, but reading non-fiction and poring over Pinterest.

Me: Sounds like you’ve got your hands full. How do you find balance among all of your responsibilities?

Chelsea: One of the best things I taught myself when I was young was how to be organized.  From making myself take computer typing classes to attending Stephen Covey’s “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” workshop, I’ve always learned to prioritize by urgency and importance.

I’m fortunate to have a supportive and understanding boss too, who honors my school schedule and is flexible with my work schedule on the days I have class.

Me: What is your secret to success?

Chelsea: I find it is important to attend EVERY class.  Sometimes I’m not able to finish my homework, or it’s been a vicious day at the office – but I still go to class. Showing up is vital. Also, ask your professors for help, email them for clarification, form a study group with your classmates and take advantage of writing labs and all the support your school offers.

Me: Wow! It sounds like you are taking your education very seriously. Why did you decide to go back to school?

Chelsea: I decided to go back to school for several reasons. As an existentialist, I believe I have an obligation to society and myself to maximize my potential.  I believe in education – I believe it is the key to human evolution and overcoming societal issues like prejudice and hate.  After having entered the workforce, I lost sight of my education.  Existing became about paying the bills and being able to take nice vacations.  I took two years “off” to work overseas in the US Antarctic Program.  When I returned to the US, I realized I had to fall back on my previous work experience to get the job I already had, rather than being able to use a degree to move forward and get the job I want.

Me: And what job do you want?

Chelsea: I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. Taking classes and working on my degree has helped me discover areas of interest I might not have otherwise. Working while I take classes has also helped me realize areas of non-interest such as writing code, while also highlighting aspects of my job that I really enjoy like event planning and office management.

Me: Well good luck finding your heart’s desire over the next few years.

Chelsea: Thank you! It’s a work in progress.

Me: Do you have any stellar advice for someone considering going back to school at 30 or older?

Chelsea: Sure, make sure the schools you look into offer the classes you want for your area of focus.  It helps immensely if you already know your area of focus so that you can form a clear degree plan.

Always go to class! Make sure you fit your homework and reading into your schedule a little bit every day.  It will be a lot easier to manage an hour every day than trying to cram it all into one weekend.  Be prepared: know your learning style, take notes.

Be sure to consider books in the overhead costs as well as project materials, I originally budgeted for tuition and then suffered from sticker shock in having to spend upwards of $200.00 on books.  Studies show that notes taken on a laptop or other electronic device do not have the same effectiveness as taking hand-written notes. Dream big and then dream bigger.

Me: Wow! Thanks for that, Chelsea!

Final Thoughts on Going Back to School at 30

Going back to school at 30 or older is not a decision that should be taken lightly. Before enrolling in classes, you should carefully consider whether this is the right choice for you. Try to envision what your life will be like after you achieve your degree. Will it be better?

In the next post, I’ll cover topics on how to cover the cost of tuition and how to manage your time as an adult-student with a zillion other responsibilities. So tune in next week!

Good luck!

Sure, it takes discipline to become accustomed to a new habit (some studies show that it takes an average of 66 days to get into a new habit), but waking up earlier is worth it.

I know you probably want to stay under your covers until the sun is high in the sky, but maybe you’ll change your mind after reading this article. It turns out that those who wake up earlier are more successful in life than their sleepy counterparts.

This post will give you the tools you need to take control of your sleeping schedule and become more successful. I even talked to a professor at Harvard Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine and found out some shocking truths about waking up early.

Waking Up Early Can Improve Your GPA

If you identify as a night owl, the dark hours might be the time of day that you shine your brightest. So why bother changing your groovy rhythm and waking up early at all?

Well, do you want to improve your GPA? Waking up early might be the answer. A study by researchers at the University of North Texas observed the connection between the sleeping habits and grades of 824 undergrads.

The results were stunning.

On average, students who were morning people had GPAs that were a full point higher than the night owl students.

One simple reason for this phenomenon could be that the early risers are more likely to make their 8 AM classes. Fewer absences and tardies means fewer missed assignments and a higher GPA. Perhaps, in this context, the early bird really does get the worm.

A second reason may be that early risers are more productive. In an article for the Harvard Business Review, biologist Christoph Randler reveals the results of a survey of 367 university students, which found that morning people tend to be more proactive than their night owl counterparts.

Being proactive helps you to accomplish your to-do list more efficiently, which leads to higher productivity and success. It’s good to be proactive.

Getting Enough Sleep Is Important for Your Brain

Early risers may also be more successful in life because they have better sleep habits overall. Not only does waking up early improve academic performance, but so does getting enough sleep to begin with. A study published in the Journal of School Health showed a correlation between inadequate sleep and poor school performance. Apparently not getting enough sleep is bad for your grades.

Even more concerning is a recent study by Penn Medicine that correlates a lack of sleep with a loss of neurons. Scientists deprived some poor, little mice of sleep and forced them to stay up watching reruns of Leave it to Beaver (well… maybe that wasn’t their exact method). They found that the sleep-deprived mice suffered from a decrease in neurons in their brains. These neurons are essential for alertness and cognition.

What’s worse, “catching up on sleep”—say, on Saturday mornings—doesn’t rebuild these lost neurons. Once they’re gone, they’re gone for good. A lifetime of sleep deprivation could ultimately lead to cognitive problems down the road.

Maybe there is some credence to the 18^th century proverb “early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” In study after study, getting enough sleep and waking up early have been shown to directly affect your health and success.

Now that I’ve established why waking up early and getting enough sleep are important, let’s talk about some of the ways that you can actually accomplish this.

How to Wake Up Early: Quit Drinking Coffee

I know you’re thinking, “Armed with my Venti Skinny Vanilla Latte from Starbucks, I have no problem waking up in the morning.”

Well, my friend, I’m about to ruin your day (and your coffee), and for that I apologize.

I’m a coffee lover too.

However, I’ve noticed something funny about coffee. Besides its addictive qualities—the siren–like appeal of its aroma and its delicious flavor—when I get into a coffee habit, I have a harder time waking up in the mornings. The snooze button becomes my best friend.

Despite my affection for all things coffee bean, I have successfully weaned myself from the stuff. Guess what? Without coffee, I discovered that I don’t even have to set an alarm to wake up.  My body just wakes up naturally at 7:30 AM.

I know that when it comes to your beloved coffee, you don’t want to believe me. My own experience certainly isn’t enough to persuade any coffee lover to give up his cup of joe.

With this in mind, I reached out to Quentin Regestein, M.D., associate psychiatrist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and associate professor at Harvard Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine. He has a scientific opinion or two… or three… of his own on the problem of coffee.

Here’s what Dr. Regestein had to say about the coffee phenomenon:

Me: Hello, Dr. Regestein, thanks for talking to me today. I’m excited to share your information with our readers.

Dr. R.: It’s my pleasure! Principled information makes the world a better place.

Me: Ha, yes! I like that. So, is there any scientific basis to the idea that drinking coffee can actually make it harder to wake up in the morning?

Dr. R.: Absolutely, yes. In fact, a pharmacologist named Avram Goldstein went through some Stamford graduate student dormitories about 45 years ago, asking residents how much coffee they drank and how sleepy they felt upon arising in the morning.  The more they drank, the sleepier they became.

Me: But why? Isn’t coffee a stimulant?

Dr. R.: Yes, but here’s why it makes sense. First of all, caffeine has a 12-20 hour duration of action in our plasma, so the coffee you drink at breakfast can potentially disturb your sleep that night.

Me: And a disturbed night’s sleep would make you less refreshed in the morning.

Dr. R.: Exactly. Let me give you an example of how caffeine can affect a person.

Me: Okay.

Dr. R: A 36-year-old psychiatrist with insomnia liberated herself from all possible insomnia provocateurs, including irregular arising times, exciting evening events, bedroom TV viewing, her troublesome boyfriend, stimulating meds, etc. Allexcept for a single cup of coffee with breakfast. I shrugged and suggested, well, maybe there’s a chance that this is the problem; it won’t hurt to quit it.

She quit that one cup of coffee and slept soundly thereafter. I could hardly believe this until I met others who were also supersensitive to caffeine, like the lady who lay in bed totally alert after lights out having taken a spoonful of chocolate ice cream.

Me: Wow! That’s incredible. Just one cup of coffee or one spoon of chocolate ice cream can mess with a person’s sleep cycle that badly?

Dr. R: Some people are very sensitive to caffeine. Add to this the problem of the caffeine withdrawal effect.

Me: What’s that?

Dr. R: Coffee and tea give us a nice warm feeling and increase alertness, but like Newton said, everything that goes up must come down. Caffeine’s boost is followed by caffeine’s bust, leading us to take another dose. Using caffeine represents the eternal human hope to get something for nothing.

Me: So caffeine creates a sort of dependence then?

Dr. R: Absolutely. That’s why more than 80% of American adults use caffeine. And people frequently walk around with a coffee cup in their hands or keep a large container of Coke on their desk. Coffee is something like the second most traded of the world’s commodities, just after oil.

Me: And if you don’t take another dose, then you probably just get sleepier, right?

Dr. R: Right. Caffeine withdrawal can induce great lethargy.  I have seen people incapacitated for weeks after abrupt discontinuation.

Me: So, if a person wants to try going caffeine free, how can he do so?

Dr. R: Caffeine should be withdrawn slowly, gradually replacing coffee or tea with increasing proportions of the decaffeinated alternative.  Thereafter, these alternatives should be discontinued.  Brim and Sanka, for instance, contain small percentages of caffeine.  Restaurant decaf may contain about 14% caffeine.

Me: And what should a person expect, energy-wise, if he gets off of caffeine?

Dr. R: Caffeine-free living means no rapid boost, but no rebound bust.  The average alertness level is likely raised, although a galaxy of individual factors influences this.

Me: And it will be easier to wake up in the morning?

Dr. R: Yes, this will be true for many people.

Me: But not everyone?

Dr. R: Individuals vary.  One’s own optimal behavioral cocktail is best found through caring enough to pay attention.

So there you have it. If you are having difficulty falling asleep at night and/or waking up in the mornings, coffee may just be the culprit. Consider taking Dr. Regestein’s advice and weaning yourself off of coffee today… right after you finish your latte.

Ditching coffee isn’t the only answer to becoming an early bird. There are some other factors you might consider.

How to Wake Up Early: The Problem with Modern Living

Now, don’t worry—I’m not about to tell you to give up on electric lighting and do your homework by candlelight with a quill pen. However, if you are having issues with waking up in the morning, it could be a problem with our modern lifestyles.

Have you ever noticed that it is much more difficult to wake up in the middle of winter when it’s still dark out?

I think nearly everyone has this problem, and it stems from our natural biology conflicting with our unnatural habits.

I asked Dr. Regestein about this, and here’s what he had to say:

Me: So, I think part of the reason students have a hard time waking up in the morning is because they have a hard time going to bed at a decent hour. What do you think?

Dr. R.: Yes, adolescent students face the effects of the electric light, late night TV, college dorm life, late library hours, parties, and even professors’ office hours (at least some at MIT) that begin at midnight.

Me: What’s the result of all that?

Dr. R:  All these forces worsen the tendency for younger people’s internal physiological days to be longer than 24 hours.  As the days go by, they would like to get up later and later and later.  The average bedtime for computer science majors at MIT is around 4 a.m.

Me: I can’t remember the last time I stayed up until 4 a.m. That can’t be healthy!

Dr. R: No, it’s not healthy. Late sleep hours often cause sleep deprivation as timed morning obligations force a person to get up.

Me: Is there such a thing as a “night-person?”

Dr. R: Yes, but constitutional night people are a neglected social minority in the day-dominant work schedule. Their mismatch with the way the earth goes round may explain why they have more mood disorders. Nevertheless, they too can comfortably get with society’s normal rhythm.

Me: So, what is behind this issue? Do we blame the electric light?

Dr. R.: These timing problems were not known even for some years after the electric light was invented.  College surveys from c. 1915 reveal that college students slept an average of 8.5 hours a night, which lies on a continuum of gradually declining sleep hours from birth through old age.

Me: That’s really interesting. I take it that today’s students don’t get nearly that much sleep.

Dr. R: No, it’s practically impossible for them to do so.

Me: Is there anything that a student can do to try to get on a more regular sleeping schedule?

Dr. R: Yes … regular arising timed into bright light at the identical clock time 365 days a year blows away all circadian rhythm disorders, except for jet lag (long story).

Me: Even if a student wakes up at the same time every morning, I bet she’ll have a tough time going to sleep at night with all of the stimulants of student life.

Dr. R: Indeed. Night living does not fit our physiological design.  We are vision-dominant creatures, destined to prosper in the sunlight and sleep in the dark.

Me: What are the long-term effects of this?

Dr. R: Violating this routine imposes a health cost insufficiently felt to change behavior (except to take another cup of coffee).  However, it affects our body rhythms, hormonal, electrolyte, neural, cardiovascular, etc., which are organized within an integrated temporal structure. Ultimately, industrial man pays a price for overriding this arrangement.

So now that you can blame our modern lifestyles for your inability to wake up on time in the morning, let’s talk about some steps beyond quitting coffee that will help you to learn to be an early riser.

Beyond Quitting Coffee: Six Steps You Can Take to Wake Up Earlier

So here’s the reality. Our lifestyles are not healthy or natural—and the quality and quantity of our sleep are bound to suffer. While you probably can’t resolve every issue with your hectic student lifestyle, here are some actionable steps you can take to try to start waking up earlier and set yourself up for success.

1. Wake up at the same time every day, 365 days per year. This doesn’t mean that you have to go to bed at the same time every night, but it does mean you have to forego long, luxurious Saturday sleep-ins. This is a hard fact if you want to master the art of becoming a “morning person” and getting all the benefits of this lifestyle.

This method has been tested and written about by motivational speaker Steve Pavlina, who writes, “Go to bed only when you’re too sleepy to stay up, and get up at a fixed time every morning.”  He also says, “I recommend getting up at the same time for 30 days straight to lock in the habit.” After you’ve trained yourself in the habit of waking up at the same time every day, you may occasionally sleep in, but on most days you won’t feel the need.

2. Try using an alarm clock with a light feature. Dr. Regestein says that waking up to full light is important. By using a clock with a light feature, your body has the opportunity to wake up to light, even in the dead of winter. This will make rising in the early morning easier since our brains recognize light as a signal to wake up.

3. Adjust Your Internal Clock Slowly. If you’ve been barely rolling out of bed at 7:45AM to make your class, don’t try to immediately force yourself to be up and at ’em at 6AM. For the first morning, get up at 7:30 AM, the following morning at 7:15, then 7:00, etc., until you’ve hit your goal of waking up at 6 AM.

In severe cases of circadian sleep disorder (a condition that occurs when your body clock does not align with your schedule), some doctors recommend a more drastic method of chronotherapy.  Rather than trying to wind your internal clock backward (as described above), they encourage you to wind it forward! This means you would go to bed three hours later each day until you have taken your body all the way around the clock and set it to the appropriate schedule.

For example, if you normally go to sleep at 12AM, but want to go to sleep at 9PM, you would first start by going to sleep at 3AM, then 6AM, than 9AM, etc., until you achieve your goal of a 9PM bed time. This method probably should be used only under a doctor’s supervision, and you’ll need to take some time off of your responsibilities since it is disruptive.

4. Try taking Omega fatty acids at bedtime. Scientists at the University of Oxford undertook a study of 362 children and found that supplementing their diets with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids (found in algae and fish oil supplements as well as in nuts, olive oil, and fish) improved their ability to fall asleep and get more restful sleep.

5. Eat breakfast. Dr. Regestein says eating breakfast every morning increases morning alertness. Eating a high fiber, high protein breakfast will wake you up a lot more than eating a sugary or fatty breakfast. So choose fruit and eggs over Fruit Loops and bacon if you can.

6. Exercise regularly. A study at Northwestern University of 11 insomniacs found that participants who regularly exercised eventually slept an average of 1.25 hours longer each night than their non-exercising counterparts. The study indicated that improvement in sleep occurred over time, not immediately upon beginning an exercise routine. Have patience, grasshopper! Exercise will slowly improve your sleep and your physique.

How to Wake Up Early: Track Your Sleeping Habits

Here is one more tip to help you learn how to wake up early. I’ve been successfully using the Sleep Cycle app to become a better morning person. The app tracks and reports data based on your sleeping patterns.

To use the app, turn it on before you go to bed (make sure your phone is plugged in), set the alarm, and place it face down under your sheet right next to your pillow. While you’re sleeping, it will track your motions and record how soundly you sleep all night long. Here’s a screenshot from a night’s rest:

The crests of the graph show the times during the night when I was closer to waking, and the troughs show the times when I was in a deep sleep.

Below the graph, you’ll see the exact time you entered and left the bed, a rating of your quality of sleep (based on how much of the night you spent in a deep sleep), and your total time in bed.

At the bottom, you’ll see a summary of how many nights you’ve tracked, how much total time you have spent in bed, and your average time in bed. Lucky me—I get an average of 8.5 hours in bed a night.

While this is pretty interesting, there is some debate on the accuracy of Sleep Cycle.  Even so, there are two things about it that I find to be really helpful. One is knowing how long you’re sleeping at night. For example, if you find that you are only logging 4 and 5-hour nights, you’ll be able recognize that you need to do something to adjust your schedule and get more sleep.

The second helpful thing is the built-in alarm clock. It works a bit differently than a standard alarm clock.

If you want to wake up at 7:30, you would set the alarm to go off between 7:00 and 7:30. The app will be on the ready during this half hour period and start ringing (in a nice, melodious tone) when your body is naturally closer to being “awake.” This morning, my alarm started ringing at around 7:21. Yesterday, it went off around 7:15.

The idea is that the alarm will wake you at the optimal time during that half hour window and improve your alertness from the moment of waking. In general, I hate alarm clocks. I really do. The calm melody of this alarm, however, keeps me from feeling like I’ve been violently shaken awake by an annoying polar bear. I find that I do wake up feeling more alert and ready when I use this alarm.

If you’re struggling with waking up on time for class in the morning, but you don’t want to download some pesky app, you may just choose to go the old-fashioned route and chart your sleeping habits on paper.

This is the chart used by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. It can give you a clue as to what might be getting between you and feeling refreshed in the morning. (Click to zoom in).

This chart takes into account your overall habits, including your alcohol and caffeine consumption, how often you exercise, which days you go to work and school, which days you are off, and any medication you might be taking.

By tracking your daily habits, you can finally pinpoint what may be causing any sleepless nights. You might find a direct connection to your caffeine or alcohol consumption or just the stress of your schedule.

In any case, armed with knowledge, you can begin to take steps to improve your sleeping habits and start getting up earlier.

Final Thoughts on How to Wake Up Early

No two people are exactly alike, and there is no magic bullet that will help you learn to wake up early.

What we do know is that early risers tend to be more successful in life. If you’re looking to make some self-improvements, managing your sleep schedule more effectively is a great place to start. You may find that the answer to improving your grades isn’t about staying up all night cramming for a test, but about getting better sleep.

Evaluate your habits and see if making adjustments to your lifestyle can help you improve both your sleeping and waking life.

Good luck!

*Cover Image by Artur Mikołajewski (Creative Commons License)

So what’s the downside?

Applying for scholarships is a time-consuming process that will take a great deal of your focus and dedication. A typical scholarship will require you to submit an extensive application and write a brilliant essay proving that you are an exceptional student who is aligned with the donor’s mission and worthy of its financial support.

If that’s where you’ve been focusing your time, hopefully you’re having someone edit those scholarship essays before you apply.

But what if there was an easier way? There are some scholarship opportunities that don’t require much more than your ability to share some personal information. The no essay scholarship works like a sweepstakes or a lottery ticket.

In this article, I’m going to tell you how to find a no essay scholarship, and I’ll lay out the pros and cons of applying for one. I also had a chance to talk with a lucky winner of one of these scholarships, and she’ll give you the inside scoop on what it took for her to win and whether or not she felt like she sold her soul (or at least her info) in the process.

What Is a No Essay Scholarship?

Basically, a no essay scholarship entails the following: the donor company takes your information (such as your email, home address, and scholarly interests) and passes it around to various retailers and institutions (typically colleges that want your tuition or retailers that want to sell you a beanbag chair for your dorm room).

In exchange, it offers you a chance to win some cold, hard cash to put toward your ridiculously expensive, yet necessary, college education. There are quite a number of different no essay scholarship opportunities. Let’s talk about specifics now.

No Essay Scholarship at Colleges.Niche.com

During my research on no essay scholarships, the first website I came across was Niche. It actually has a pretty cool interface that allows you to compare colleges by majors and rankings.

It also allows you to research a database of scholarships based on your career goals, interests, major, state, etc. This is a great tool for you to use to find countless scholarship opportunities that match your qualities, including the no essay scholarship.

As you can see in the above screenshot, the first scholarship listed is the $2,000 “No Essay” Scholarship. Niche itself hosts this scholarship, and it’s been awarding $2,000 to one lucky winner every single month since June 2009 (formerly as CollegeProwler.com). It even provides a list of past winners to reassure you that this is for real.

Just like the title says, there is no essay required. Just fill out the form, and *boom*—you’ve applied! Even better, you can keep applying month after month, even as you are attending school and sweating your tuition money while working the counter at McD’s.

In the fine print, Niche says, “If a scholarship applicant indicates an interest in receiving offers from Niche and its trusted business partners, Niche reserves the right to use your personal information and may sell or share it with selected outside companies. If you express interest in particular schools or affiliates, Niche may sell or transfer your personal information to those schools or affiliates accordingly.”

Basically, Niche admits that it’ll be selling your information to these institutions so that, in turn, the institutions can send you glossy school catalogs.

But you do have the choice of whether to allow your information to be given away.

Niche says, “When submitting an application for the scholarship contest, applicants may opt-in to receive student related offers from Niche and our trusted business partners. The choice is entirely optional and has no impact on the applicant’s submission to the scholarship contest.”

It isn’t just taking your info and running off with it like some no-integrity purse-snatcher; you have control over the process. Just make sure to check the right boxes as you apply if you don’t want to get offers from trusted partners.

It sounds like your personal info is pretty well-respected by this organization.

*HINT* A great way to keep your email inbox spam-free is to create a dedicated email address that you use just for entering scholarship sweepstakes. For example, mine might be NaomiWinsBig@Yahoo.com. I chose Yahoo! because it sounds celebratory.

Naturally, the next question I had, and I’m sure you do too, is what are your chances of winning this thing? I mean, it’s easy to apply, and you can apply repeatedly month after month, but are you really going to take home the two grand?

Niche’s website says, “The odds of winning are determined by the total number of eligible entries received. Only one (1) prize will be awarded to any one person and/or e-mail address.”

This isn’t really that informative. I decided to email Niche and ask about the chances of winning.

Here’s what a representative told me:

“While we do get many applicants every month, we do offer access to many other scholarship opportunities on our website. The more opportunities you apply for, the more opportunities you have to get money for school. Hope this helps!”

Hmmm, I’m not sure that does help. Niche is definitely holding its numbers close to its chest. From what Niche says, it sounds like your odds of winning aren’t all that high.

A quick search on Alexa.com ranks Colleges.Niche.com as the 10,792nd most popular website in the United States.

To put this in perspective, Pinterest has a U.S. rank of 12, and the University of Delaware (home to 22,000 students and 4,000 staff members) is ranked around 7,000. So it seems that Niche is a moderately popular website, but not quite as popular as the University of Delaware. You’re probably up against a moderate amount of competition for this money.

Based on this, I think it could be worth it to go ahead and apply—every month for the rest of your student career, even. Think positively, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll win.

No Essay Scholarships at SuperCollege.com

If you’re hesitant to part with your personal information but still want to search for no essay scholarships, you can actually bypass Niche and visit SuperCollege.com.

SuperCollege.com maintains a database of more than 2.2 million available scholarships and has an interface that helps you match scholarships to your unique qualifications—you amazing-sumo-wrestler-cupcake-baker, you!

SuperCollege.com does not sell your information to third parties; it says, “We use the information you provide about yourself when placing an order only to complete that order. We do not share this information with outside parties…”

Well that’s refreshing!

SuperCollege.com makes its money from advertisers, and it sells some interesting books about getting into and paying for college, taking the SAT, and other things students are interested in. It also offers free ten-step guides that cover topics like applying for scholarships, finding colleges, and seeking financial aid.

While SuperCollege.com doesn’t offer a no essay scholarship itself, the site will definitely be able to point you to more no essay scholarship opportunities, including the ones I found at Cappex.com.

No Essay Scholarships at Cappex.com

Cappex (Alexa U.S. ranking 14,137) offers a helpful interface for students seeking to apply for scholarships and learn about schools. You have to sign up for an account to see any information, though. So that’s your first step.

In exchange for your personal information, Cappex offers about $9,500 per month in no essay scholarships that are easy to apply for.  For example, the CappexCash Monthly Scholarship gives you a chance at winning $1,000 just for signing up and completing your profile.

It publishes a list of its scholarship winners on its Facebook page. Will you be one of them?

Cappex also keeps a database of scholarships offered by other institutions, and if you ask me, it has the best interface of all the sites that I mention in this post.

After signing up for a Cappex account, you’ll be able to view a list of scholarships that match your interests and qualifications under a tab called “My Scholarship Matches.” The cool thing is that its scholarship database can be sorted by amount, deadline, ease of applying (i.e., how much writing is involved), and the amount of competition you’re up against.

In this example, I sorted by the “competition” column. Check it out:

By checking out the competitiveness of various scholarships, I can see that with a bit of effort, I may have a decent shot of winning the Boettcher Foundation Scholarship (Say what? A $160,000 prize? I’m in!).

But let’s say you want to find the easiest possible scholarships to apply for, with no essay writing involved (the fact that you’re reading this blog post probably means that you do).

Simply sort the scholarship list by the “effort” column. In this screenshot, you can see that I’ve sorted mine so that the scholarships rated one pencil (least effort) appear on top:

You can see that the easiest scholarship to apply for is at ScholarshipPoints.com, where you can win a big, fat ten grand. Notice that the competition on this one is pretty stiff (lots of people apply).

No Essay Scholarships at ScholarshipPoints.com

So I went to check out the deal at ScholarshipPoints.com and found that it offers another essay-free scholarship opportunity. You can win money by taking surveys, reading blogs, and playing games, among other online activities. It’s the perfect opportunity for a professional Internet surfer like you!

By participating in these marketing and information-collecting schemes (because let’s be honest, that’s what they’re all about), you rack up points, and these points are used as entries into the monthly scholarship giveaways.

I asked ScholarshipPoints (Alexa ranking 40,159) what the real odds of winning are, and here’s what a representative had to say:

“I think it’s safe to say that everyone in the ScholarshipPoints program wants to win a scholarship and everyone wants to know how to increase their chances of winning some cash for school!

The best advice we can offer is:

1) Complete AS MANY activities as you can.

2) SPEND those Points!
When it comes the time to enter your points into our monthly drawings, keep in mind that there is no such thing as spending “too many” points.

Good luck!

Note: please make sure when providing any private information during an activity, that you read all the terms & conditions. If you are not comfortable providing specific information, please do not complete the activity.”

I also had the chance to talk to a recent recipient of a $10,000 scholarship award from ScholarshipPoints.com. She asked that she remain anonymous because she’s training to be a CIA operative, or maybe a ninja.

My Conversation with a Real-Life Ten THOUSAND Dollar No Essay Scholarship Winner:

Me: Hi there! Thanks for taking the time to chat with me. I’m sure a lot of people are really interested in hearing about how you won a $10,000 scholarship.

$10k Winner: You’re welcome. Thanks for asking me.

[sociallocker]Me: So, how many activities did you have to rack up in order to win?

$10k Winner: I’m not exactly sure…I think I used between 50-100 points on each drawing that I chose…And each point was worth one entry. (So that’s about 50-100 times.)

Me: How quickly did they pay you?

$10k Winner: They contacted my college pretty much right away, and they called and let me know that I had won, and then sent me an email saying what I needed to do in order to confirm my scholarship…I did what they asked, and they said that it was confirmed. A couple of months later, my school received the money directly.

Me: So the money is real?

$10k Winner: Haha, yes, it’s definitely real.

Me: It sounds like a pretty amazing deal. Would you recommend other students try this?

$10k Winner: Yes, I would definitely recommend it.

Me: So what’s the catch? Have you noticed that you are getting a lot of spam or anything unwanted in your email?

$10k Winner: No, I haven’t really noticed any extra spam in my email. And, as of right now, I don’t know of a catch.

Me: What made you apply?

$10k Winner: I really, really need money for college, and I won’t be eligible for school scholarships until at least next semester. I honestly didn’t expect to win anything though.

Me: Have you also applied for more traditional scholarships?

$10k Winner: I did apply for traditional scholarships when I graduated from high school, but I wasn’t able to find many for people who were already enrolled in college.

Me: Were the traditional scholarships more difficult to apply for?

10K Winner: The traditional ones were definitely more time-consuming.

Me: Can I ask you a weird question? Are you a real person?

$10k Winner: Haha, yes, I am definitely real…I actually had the same question before I applied. I looked up past winners on Facebook to see if they actually existed… they do![/sociallocker]

Thank you, super-secret ninja winner, for sharing your story!

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to finding an easy-to-apply-for, no essay scholarship. Here is one other opportunity that I found while traveling down this rabbit hole:

No Essay Scholarship from Zinch.com

Zinch.com (Alexa U.S. ranking 38,115) offers a weekly $1,000 giveaway. In exchange for a chance to win, it asks you to answer a short essay question (I mean really short, like 280 characters, max; if you can Tweet, you can do this). Here’s a sample prompt:

It also collects your email address and sends you info about schools, scholarships, and other third-party services. You can easily opt out by following the instructions here. And like the other scholarship sweepstakes, Zinch lists past winners on its website.

No Essay Scholarships Are Easy to Apply for and Easy to Win (Sort Of!)

I’ve sorted the no essay scholarship sites I mentioned in this post into a handy table for your reference. If you look at it this way, it seems that the opportunities at Zinch.com and ScholarshipPoints.com might be your best bets. They have lower Alexa rankings and high payouts for little effort. While SuperCollege.com has the lowest Alexa ranking, it’s best used to find no essay scholarships offered by other companies.

No essay scholarships are easy to apply for and are usually a way for companies and schools to collect and share your information. And while real students can and do win prize money all the time, you really can’t put all of your hopes and dreams into winning these types of scholarships.

Go ahead and apply, but make sure to improve your chances of winning scholarship money by also applying for some of the opportunities that require a little extra effort.

When it comes time to write your scholarship essay, the guys over at StudyMode.com have aggregated thousands of essays to help get your ideas rolling (however, remember that plagiarism is a big no-no and won’t help you win any money).

Don’t forget to edit your essay before you send it! We employ some of the best editors in the biz to make sure that your scholarship essay shines brighter than the rest, so make sure to send it over to us for a thorough edit before you send it off to the scholarship committee.

Have you ever won a scholarship? How hard did you work for that money? Share your experiences in the comments below.

*Cover image by thisisbossi. (creative commons license)

How to Write a Timed Essay: Before the Test

While you may only have a few precious minutes to take your actual timed essay, you should spend several hours preparing for the exam.  Just as you would study for a math or science test, you need to organize your thoughts and materials in advance of your timed English or history essay.

Follow these six tips to make sure that you walk into the test ready to rock your essay.

1. Don’t wait until the last minute to study. Give yourself plenty of time to familiarize yourself with the material. Carefully read the work provided in class, and review your notes.
2. Memorize important facts, dates, names, etc. The more you have stored in your brain, the better you’ll be able to provide solid supports and arguments during your exam.
3. If the timed essay is “open book,” mark down important elements and insights in advance with a highlighter, sticky notes, or notecards with page numbers and quotes. When it comes to test time, you’ll know exactly where to go for information, and you won’t waste time trying to find “that perfect quote.”
4. Get to know the possible prompts, and carefully review your study guide, if one is provided. Otherwise, look over old exams, if you can, to see what kinds of questions are typically asked in this class.
5. If you’re really nervous, practice writing under pressure before your test. Set a timer for the same amount of time you’ll have during the actual test, and work on writing a coherent essay about a sample prompt or an important topic from class.
6. If the topic of your test is pretty common (i.e., iconic literature like Shakespeare or topics in American history), you might find some helpful study tools on Spark Notes. Another great resource is Shmoop.com. So check them out!

For our example, let’s say that we’re taking an open-book timed essay on William Golding’s book Lord of the Flies. In advance of the test, I would, of course, read the book from cover to cover. I would mark up key ideas with a highlighter and sticky notes. I’d also check out the Spark Notes to get some ideas and perspective on the work. If you want to follow along with our sample timed essay, first check out this Spark Notes video summary of Lord of the Flies.

How to Write a Timed Essay: Minutes 1-5, Understand Your Topic

Now that you are familiar with the material and ready to take your timed essay, let’s talk about what you’ll need to do during your test.

First of all, you need to relax. Take a deep breath, and don’t get stressed out because you’re feeling rushed. You need to feel in control of the time you have to avoid test anxiety. It’s important to focus on the task at hand and not allow your mind to wander or worry.

Now that you’re relaxed, get to work. For the first 1 to 5 minutes, read and re-read the essay prompt to get an understanding of what you’re being asked. It’s important to take the time to understand the prompt so that you don’t go wandering off and writing about something totally incorrect or irrelevant. Don’t skip this step!

Underline keywords, and check to see whether the question has more than one part.

For our example, I’m going to use this sample prompt:

How does Jack use the beast to control the other boys? Compare this to an example in today’s society of a person or institution using something frightening to control other people.

When reading and re-reading this prompt, I would underline the important words:

How does Jack use the beast to control the other boys? Compare this to an example in today’s society of a person or institution using something frightening to control other people.

It’s important to determine what type of essay your teacher is asking from you.

Use this table for clues:

This table breaks down four basic types of essays: argument, evaluation, explanation, and problem/solution. The keywords are words you can look for to unlock what direction your teacher wants you to go. And the action column let’s you know what the goal of your essay should be.

In this example, the prompt is asking for an explanation essay.  I know this because it asks me to analyze the beast and compare it to an example from real life. Knowing what type of essay I’m working with will help me focus my thesis and supports.

How to Write a Timed Essay: Minutes 6-15, Organize Your Response

Set aside a few minutes to prepare your thoughts. First jot down ideas and notes related to the question. This is called a memory dump. This takes the pressure off your brain of having to recall this information as you are structuring and writing your response.  Here’s an example of a memory dump:

With your ideas and notes dumped onto paper, it will be easier to organize your thoughts into a coherent order. The next step is to make an informal outline of the major points.  This step is important because it will allow you to stick to your topic and ensure that you don’t leave out any important details. 

Don’t worry about building an epic, detailed outline, like the one I developed for the 5-paragraph essay outline, but definitely sketch out the important arguments you want to cover.

Place a number beside each point to organize what you want to address first. Start with the most important idea, and work down to the least important. This way, if you run out of time, you’ll have already covered the more important stuff.

In our sample essay, according to the prompt, I need to correlate Jack and his beast with a real-life fear that is used to control a real-life society. I don’t want to start a political discussion in this blog post, so I’m going to use a fake idea having to do with an alien invasion. Don’t worry; none of this is true… yet.

Here’s a sample rough outline of the points I want to cover in my essay, starting with the most critical first:

In doing this outline, I’ve uncovered four important arguments to develop. I’m ready to start digging into the real work of writing the essay.

How to Write a Timed Essay: Minutes 15-40, Develop Your Essay

Now that you have a rough outline, it’s time to develop each of your points and write them out in your exam.

I won’t develop the entire essay in this blog post, but I’ll show you how I might write the thesis and point number one.

To develop my thesis statement, I’d simply make an argument and include a summary of each of the points I plan to make in the body text.

Here’s my thesis:

In William Golding’s book The Lord of the Flies, Jack creates a mythical beast creature as a way to band the boys together under his oppressive leadership; this is similar to how the world leaders have used the alien invasion to control the Earth’s population through fear of a common enemy and the belief that oppression is necessary for safety.

Then I’d make my first argument:

In the book Lord of the Flies, Jack bands his group of boys together by creating a common enemy in the beast. This is similar to how the government has bound our nation together against our greater enemy, the aliens from the Andromeda galaxy. In both cases, having a common enemy has ignited a sense of solidarity and being “in it together.” Anyone who is not against the beast, or the aliens, can be considered an enemy to the cause.

Then I’d include some supports with direct quotes from the book. I would, of course, have already marked off these quotes during my study time with sticky notes that say “beast” or “Jack”:

The boys in the Lord of the Flies have never seen the beast, yet they are afraid of it. During an assembly of the boys, one of the Littluns says, “I was frightened… and I saw something moving among the trees, something big and horrid” (85). This echoes a recent news story where a woman recounted her meeting with an alien, and although she hadn’t actually seen it, she said she saw the shadow of one pass by her window.

As I write my essay, I’ll expand on each of the points in my rough outline and support each with a direct quote from the book. It’s important to avoid making big, general statements. Every correlation I make needs to be supported.

Finally, I will write my conclusion, which will sum up my arguments and offer a greater insight.

For more information on writing better essays, I suggest checking out this awesome article, How to Write a Great Essay About Anything.

How to Write a Timed Essay: Minutes 40-45, Final Edit

Don’t forget to leave a few minutes to review and edit your work to ensure it makes sense. Because you won’t be able to have your paper professionally edited or edited by a parent or peer before you turn it in, your teacher probably won’t grade you as hard for grammar mistakes as she would otherwise. However, you still want your work to make sense and to be as error free as you can make it, so leaving a few minutes for editing and revision is helpful.

Now you know how to write a timed essay. The process doesn’t have to be stressful. Remember to always prepare in advance, take the time to understand the prompt, organize your thoughts, write detailed and supported information, and review your essay before you turn it in.

If you plan your time wisely and follow all of these steps, you have nothing to fear…except maybe aliens.  Good luck!

How are you ever going to get organized and stay ahead of your professors’ many demands?  Don’t worry. Kibin has your back. This back to school special includes seven great ideas to help you gear up and get ready for a successful college semester.

#1 The Best Transportation

One major back to school consideration is finding the best transportation. Depending on your college, it’s better to walk, ride a bike, or take public transportation to class. There are a lot of advantages to foregoing a car. First, you can save money on gas, maintenance, insurance, and parking permits, and you can use this money to help pay for your textbooks and school supplies. Second, riding a bike or walking gives you a chance to get some exercise, even during your busy school schedule. And, exercising can make you a better student.

A study at the University of Georgia Department of Exercise Science has found that exercising for up to sixty minutes improves brain function and memory, but they caution that exercising to the point of dehydration has the opposite effect. The final reason it’s awesome not to have a car on campus is that you won’t be the one that everyone goes to when they need a ride off campus.

Don’t have a bike? Don’t let that stop you. Many towns now offer bike libraries where you can borrow a bike for cheap or free. Check out this directory of community bike programs compiled by the International Bicycle Fund to see if there is a service near you. And, after you’ve taken a ride to class, post your six-second bike ride video here to show why biking is so great!

I know I just told you to forgo a car, but there are some circumstances where a car is really the best way to get around. If you must have a car to get somewhere every so often, you may opt to use a car sharing service like Zipcar.

These cars can be rented for a low monthly fee if you drive fairly regularly or on an hourly, as-needed, basis if you drive infrequently. They are insured and you don’t have to worry about maintenance, car loans, or other expenses… including gas (yes, even gas)! Many universities now offer this service on campus; visit Zipcar to find out if your university is one of them.

#2 Find a Study Space

Second on the back to school agenda, now that you have transport, is finding an optimal study space. Dr. John Grohol of Psych Central says,

“Finding an ideal study place is important, because it’s (a habit) you can reliably count on for the next few years.”

Your dorm room may or may not be your best option. It depends a lot on whether or not your roommate is likely to distract you with conversation, a blaring television, and/or party plans.

Second, if you choose your dorm room as your study space, make sure that all those creature comforts you have in your room, like your game console and your cozy bed, don’t lure you away from your textbooks. You may even find your own laptop to be pretty distracting; if so, try to leave it untouched and study with just your textbooks and a notebook instead.

If that’s impossible, download an app like SelfControl (for Mac) or FocalFilter (for PC); these apps block you from accessing certain websites that you know distract you (oh, like Facebook or Google Plus) during the hours that you decide you should be studying. If this isn’t enough, Jocelyn K. Glei at 99U has compiled a list of 10 online tools to help you focus.

Laptop in tow, blocked or not, other potential locations to study include a coffee shop or your school’s library. The library is a great choice because it has additional resources you can use. And, you won’t find yourself spending five bucks on a three-hundred-calorie café mocha that busts both your budget and your diet.

If these spots are too obvious for you, check out CollegeInfoGeek.com’s list of 14 legit study spots, which includes some unusual locations, like the roof, and some very logical ones, like the gym. Reading your history book while on a stationary bike or a treadmill is another great way to make sure you get in your daily exercise!

#3 Stay Positive

Staying positive is important when heading back to school, and exercise can help you. Carl Ernst et al. of the University of British Columbia published a study showing that exercise can help alleviate depression. This is especially important as your class responsibilities get ever more intense this semester. Make a commitment to keep smiling throughout every challenge you encounter at school.

“Aim to think positively when you study, and remind yourself of your skills and abilities.” – Dr. John Grohol, Psych Central

So, to take Grohol’s advice, as you sit down to write your English essay, think about how far your writing skills have come (perhaps, in part, thanks to your Kibin editors!).

According to the happiness experts at The Pursuit of Happiness Project,

“Evidence suggests that optimism is important in coping with difficult life events. Optimism has been linked to better responses to various difficulties, from the more mundane (e.g., transition to college) to the more extreme (e.g., coping with missile attacks).”

Find ways to be a glass-half-full kind of student as you head back to school this semester; when you find yourself having negative thoughts (I’ll never finish this history reading on time!), think positively instead (I’ll finish this history reading on time, if I take it with me to the gym!). 

#4 Eat Healthy on Campus

Another great way to stay positive while going to college is to eat healthy on campus. Don’t try to subsist on Ramen noodles alone; you need to be adequately nourished to study!

Dietician Kate Fortunato says, “Skipping meals, especially breakfast, can throw off your entire routine. You may feel weak and have a hard time focusing, make poorer food choices at your next meal, and gain weight over time.”

This could spell bad news for you because, if you are unfocused, you won’t be able to finish the entirety of your astronomy assignment. So, eat your breakfast! A great breakfast includes a protein, a complex carb, and a piece of fruit. Instead of chowing down on Lucky Charms, select a scrambled egg and a bowl of oatmeal topped with fruit.

Fortunato also reminds you to make healthy choices at your school’s cafeteria by heading to the salad bar at lunch, but she says, “Stay away from creamy dressings, mayonnaise-based prepared salads, and excess cheese and croutons.”

If you’re looking for easy, healthy meals that you can prepare in your microwave (yes, your microwave can be good for something other than reheating Chinese leftovers), check out Fortunato’s awesome post about healthy microwaveable dinners. I also suggest you read this great resource for eating well on campus from Hungry Girl.

#5 Sleep Well

Now that you’re properly nourished, be sure to also get your sleep. As you get back to school, you may find it hard to sleep when you have three papers due, a test to study for, and a late shift at your job. You have to find a way though, as sleep is critical to your success.

But, how much sleep is enough? According to The National Sleep Foundation, the amount of sleep you need varies depending on your age, genetics, activities, and other factors. A good rule of thumb to know if you’ve had enough sleep is if you are able to wake up without an alarm, feeling refreshed.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: this is never going to happen… Chances are you won’t be hopping out of bed refreshed at 7AM on your way to your 8AM physics class, and I’m well aware of your habit of hitting the snooze button on your alarm clock before rolling out of bed.

According to The National Sleep Foundation, a study found that students who had caught up on missing sleep by sleeping as much as possible, settled upon naturally waking up after about eight and a half hours of sleep. Also, staying up all night to cram for your bio test may not be the best tactic.

A study by researchers at UCLA found that students who sacrificed adequate sleep hours to study actually experienced a decrease in academic performance compared to their well-rested counterparts. The lead scientist at UCLA, Professor Andrew J. Fuglini, says, “Although these nights of extra studying may seem necessary, they can come at a cost.”

Yes, the cost of not being able to think straight when your history teacher surprises you with a pop quiz the next morning! No matter how intimidating your biology test is, you need to make time to get your sleep; so, structure (ideally eight or so) sleeping hours into your master schedule. You should also try to go to sleep at about the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning (I know that’s easier said than done).

#6 Get Organized

Speaking of your master schedule, you’re going to need to be well organized as you head back to school this semester. So, have a plan, write it down, and follow it! Use one of the many organizational apps for your smart phone (a great, free one is Errands To-Do List by Yoctoville, or, for a paid app that is perfect for this type of thing, try iHomework for your Apple product).

You may also opt for a simple, paper day planner; I know that I enjoy scratching out something on my to-do list with a real pen. Record every task you need to accomplish and include deadlines for when to accomplish them. This includes your full class, work, workout, and sleep schedule, when to turn in your Shakespeare essay, and when to study for your first math test.

If, during your study session, you have a hard time deciding what task to tackle first, Greg Ferro of EtherealMind.com suggests starting with an easy subject, moving on to something more difficult during the middle of your study time, and then ending on a high note with something easier again.

So, for example, you might start with your art project, then spend a couple hours tackling your chemistry homework, and end with a review of your humanities notes.  By planning your time in advance, you’ll be better equipped to stay ahead of your homework.

#7 Accessorize

If you’ve been following me so far, you have a time and a place to study, you’re well rested and well nourished, and you’re thinking positively. Now, it’s time to accessorize!

As an expert student, you’ll need the right tools for a successful college semester. Some items you might not have considered taking to school with you include:

1. A mattress pad to make your springy dorm bed more comfortable, and help you get your sleep.
2. A mini-fridge and a microwave oven for your dorm room. This helps you whip up those nutritious microwaveable meals mentioned above.
3. Laundry detergent and rolls of quarters to run the washing machines. Obviously, you need clean clothes!
4. And, shower sandals to help you navigate the common dorm showers. Visit this blog post featuring some more often forgotten school necessities, like a toolkit, surge protector, and an electric fan.

Realistically, it’s difficult to completely follow these tips, but it is important to get close. Take it from a recent graduate of  Beloit College who survived four seemingly eternal years at college.  In our chat, she shares how she managed to get through college on six hours of sleep per night and lots of carrots:

Me: Tatiana, thanks for chatting with me today.

Tatiana: You’re welcome, it’s my pleasure.

Me: So, how did you get around your campus? Did you bike or take a bus?

Tatiana: I actually walked everywhere. Beloit is a very small campus.

Me: Oh, that’s convenient! Where was your favorite place to study?

Tatiana: I preferred studying in my dorm room. There were no distractions from other people and I kept my space neat and comfortable.

Me: So, you didn’t have a roommate, I take it?

Tatiana: Nope, I was lucky. I had a dorm room to myself all four years.

Me: You were lucky! So, how did you manage the stress of school and stay positive?

Tatiana: I found that the best way to deal with school related stress was to get off campus.

Me: Meaning what? Where did you go? Like, on vacation?

Tatiana: No, it doesn’t have to be that big. Getting off campus just means going to the movies, shopping, going out to eat–anything, even for a walk by the river.

Me: What did you eat? What was your favorite food item during your college years?

Tatiana: I lived on carrots and cereal all four years. There was no preparation needed, and it was tasty. Oh… and Monster Energy Drinks… though I probably shouldn’t admit that.

Me: Energy drinks, huh? Guess that powered you through your study sessions.

Tatiana: Yeah, you gotta do what you gotta do!

Me: Did you manage to eat enough healthy food?

Tatiana: It was tough for me to get healthy food at my school. My first two years, I bought my own food a lot and ate out because the food on campus was disgusting. My senior year, I went off the meal plan and cooked for myself.

Me: Cooked for yourself? Did your dorm room come with a kitchen?

Tatiana: Yup! All the dorms at Beloit have kitchens.

Me: That’s great!  So, how did you keep your school work organized? Did you use a paper day planner? An app?

Tatiana: Actually, I used both paper planners and electronic organizational tools. I stayed pretty organized somehow.

Me: Tell me, what are three must-have items that every student should bring when living in a dorm?

Tatiana: A laptop, a scale, and a coffee maker.

Me: Are you sure you needed that coffee maker with your Monster drinks?

Tatiana: (Laughing) Yeah, you’re probably right, huh… Now that I’ve graduated, I’ll just drink carrot juice for a while, maybe.

Me: Did you prefer to study with a partner or study alone?

Tatiana: For most of my work, I preferred to study alone. But, I studied with friends or classmates for group projects and finals.

Me: That makes sense. When you studied with other students, what do you think were the benefits of working with a group?

Tatiana: I found that pulling an all-nighter is always more efficient with others. You are less likely to fall asleep and more likely to keep a healthy and productive pace.

Me: All nighters, huh? How many hours of sleep did you get per night as a student?

Tatiana Oh, on average, I’d say I slept about 6 to 7 hours per night during the week, not counting naps during the day.

Me: That actually sounds like a fair amount, but would you have liked to sleep more than that?

Tatiana: Yes, I would have liked to get at least 8.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night.

Me: Yeah, I just read that 8.5 hours is about right for college students, actually! So, do you have any other tips for surviving college?

Tatiana: Yeah, my biggest piece of advice is that it’s better to go to a college no more than two states away from your hometown–I didn’t do that and it was rough! I was in Wisconsin, while my family was in California. Having family or close friends nearby is a huge plus and undervalued by most prospective college students.

Thank you for the great interview, Tatiana!

As you can see, it just takes a little bit of planning and execution to ensure your back to school success. Tell us in the comments, what are some of your best tips for a successful school semester?

But who says you can’t mix school with pleasure?

I’m going to lay out how you can plan your summer schedule to be as hard or as easy as you want it to be. It’s up to you to knock out a harder course during summer school or simply punch the clock to get course credit for an easier class.

Summer School Is Definitely Harder

The first camp claims that summer school classes are harder than regular school classes. Maybe it’s just because anything is harder than taking three months off and working on a suntan. But believe it or not, there are other factors that can potentially make summer school courses more difficult than your regular college classes. Here are a few:

#1 No Time for Procrastination

Let’s face it, you’re human… right? I figured as much! Well, chances are you’re slightly (a’hem) prone to procrastination.

Here’s the bad news: that simply won’t fly in summer school. Just the tiniest bit of procrastination, or a single missed class, can lead to a potential domino effect of failure since you won’t have much time to catch up on missed work during the short semester. In an environment when tests can come once a week, there’s really no room for error or playing hooky when you should be studying.

So if you tend to put things off and take your time, chances are you’ll find summer school a bit more challenging than normal school classes.

#2 Lots of Material

So you thought your spring Anthropology 1140 class covered a ton of material, did you? Well if you take the next Anthropology unit over the summer, you’re going to be digging into your course material even faster!

Professors need to cover a whole lot of material in a short amount of time, which means that you’ll need to absorb a lot of information really quickly

What’s this all boil down to? You may find yourself in a situation where you have a quiz, a lab, and a midterm all in the same week! But don’t worry, the summer session is short and the pain will be over quickly.

#3 Professor’s Expectations Are the Same

Many professors will have the same expectations of you over the summer as they would have during the normal school year. You are going to have to show up on time and regularly, finish your homework, and limit your extracurricular activities so you can get above average grades on your exams.

Your professor is busy working over the summer teaching you, and, chances are, she’ll want you to work hard too! I know you can do it, just make the commitment and stick to it. Oh! And if you have a hard time getting up early for class, check out these awesome tips for never missing your 9 o’clock lecture.

#4 New Material Is Difficult

As you’ve probably already discovered by now, learning new subjects can be tough! If you sign up for that exciting summer astronomy course, for example, you may be shocked to find out that it’s not all about gazing at the stars and memorizing the constellations (yeah there’s some of that…).

There is some legit new stuff you’ll have to learn to master astronomy, so don’t get too excited about jumping on a mission to Mars just yet. First you’re going to need to figure out the difference between absolute and apparent magnitude and learn how to calculate escape velocity!

Classes you’ve never taken before can be very challenging since all the material is brand new—unlike the universe, which is 13.77 billion years old (and counting).

#5 Hours and Hours of Reading

Are you a slower reader, like me? Or does reading put you to sleep in less time than it takes you to turn the page? If so, you may want to avoid taking that Shakespeare course this summer or any other class with a ton of reading on its syllabus. You don’t want to fall behind on your homework because of simply having too much reading and too little time. If reading too slowly is often a problem for you, you may want to learn the art of speed-reading.

#6 Limited Time

Oh, so you’re planning on bussing tables at Applebee’s full-time, going camping with your friends, and acing your summer Greek Literature class in the next four weeks, are you? Well you may need a reality check. Summer school leaves little time for much else, what with all that homework, and testing, and class time.

Remember, you’re not immortal; I encourage you to be careful before you venture out this summer and try to take on too many challenges at once.

But before you get too freaked out, fear not! There’s some pretty solid evidence that summer school classes are actually easier than normal college classes.

Actually… Summer School Is Easier

#1 A Pared-Down Syllabus

Wooohoo! You only have to do a portion of the assignments that the Art History students had to do last spring! It’s time for celebration, especially if Art History is just a filler class for you. The time constraint of the short summer school schedule doesn’t allow for everything to be crammed in; that would be crazy.

This means that teachers will typically only pick out the most important aspects of the course to teach. But beware! This method is easier in some subjects (English and art classes for example) than it is in others classes (like sciences and math) where a foundation of knowledge must be meticulously laid (less can be left out).

#2 Graduate Students and Postdocs Are More Lenient Teachers

Fact: some summer school teachers are easier than the regular school year profs. This is because they are often postdoc or graduate students trying to get some teaching experience in.

There is a really great tool on the web for you to use to help you determine whether your potential summer school teacher is tough or not, but I’ll give you more on that later in this post. So hang on!

#3 You Already Know This Stuff!

Are you taking this summer class to re-take a class that you didn’t do too well in last fall? Well it may be disappointing for you to have to re-take the class, but the good news—no the great news—is that it should be easier the second go around, as you’ll already be somewhat familiar with the material. Ummm…assuming you didn’t sleep through all the lectures the first time, of course.

#4 No Time to Forget

Do you suffer from I forgot what the heck I learned in the beginning of the school year syndrome? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! And even better, you won’t have that problem this summer. During summer school, since you are covering a subject over a few weeks, rather than a few months, there is less time to forget the material. You learned the stuff just a few weeks ago, so the information you need to know for the final exam is still “fresh”.

#5 Smaller Class Sizes

The smaller class sizes of summer school mean that there is more opportunity for you to interact with your teachers, and you’ll have more chances to get all of your questions answered.

In fact, Professor Ellen Bremen, the Chatty Professor, encourages you to take advantage of this and talk to your professor every day if necessary, starting from day one. She writes, “If you need an A, or any other grade, in that summer school class, see the prof before the first class, after the first class, or walk with him/her out to the parking lot if you have to (but no stalking!).”

I know what you’re thinking by now: “Hmmm… so it seems like summer school classes really are easier. Sign me up, Sally!”

Not so fast.

Before I jumped to this conclusion and started recommending students earn some easy credit over summer, I wanted to make sure I wasn’t unknowingly sending you to the summer schools slaughterhouse. In fact, I chatted with four different college summer school professors and asked them what their opinions are on the difficulty level of summer school classes compared to normal school courses.

Is Summer School Harder or Easier? Here’s What the Profs Say

YIKES! That sounds like a nightmare.

Unfortunately, Professor Morris Maduro didn’t offer much to alleviate our concerns. He told me, “I make the same demands of students in terms of knowledge, scholarship, and responsibility. Exams, assessments, and expectations are the same as during the regular academic year.”

Oof…that’s not very good news, is it…?

But there’s hope… so don’t get too stressed out just yet.

The associate dean of UC Riverside Department of Biology Dr. Leah Haimo, says, “It is often not regular faculty who teach in the summer, but graduate students or postdocs. (For this reason), most summer school classes are not as rigorous as are the regular courses…mostly because they are not taught by regular faculty.”

Thank you Dr. Haimo for that good news, right? And she’s not alone in her opinion that you can get through the summer with little stress. 

I also talked to Dr. Eva Telzer, Assistant Professor of Psychology at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and she says, “If I were teaching summer school I would be more flexible, given that the schedule is more packed and there’s less time for the students to develop.”

Phew! So they’re not all out to make your summer miserable.

Tips for Summer School Survival

So what’s this all boil down to? Can summer school really be a good time to bank some course credit without sacrificing your entire summer?

Yes, it can be, as long as you follow these three tips on how to survive summer school:

#1 Watch Your Credit Load

If you’re going to take multiple classes, make sure they are redos or less intensive courses (e.g. don’t take organic chemistry, physics, and calculus). Typically you shouldn’t take more than two classes simultaneously, three at most, because the classes in the summer are so intensive.  In fact, most schools have a maximum credit load limit that ranges from 8-15 credits for the entire summer semester.

#2 Select Subjects That Make You Feel Like a Ninja!

If you are trying to pick an easy summer load, then select subjects that you are strong in (for me that would be English), rather than subjects that make you scratch your head in confusion (Chemistry…ick!). On the flip side, if you are trying to challenge yourself, or knock out your most hated subject, this summer, plan to take a single class that you find difficult, and focus on it like a laser beam.

#3 Snag the Most Popular College Courses

At some universities, courses that are hard to get into during the spring and fall semesters will be offered during the summer to meet demand, so this could be your chance to get into that awesome Film History class that you’ve been waitlisted for every semester since your freshman year.  But be careful, summer classes are typically first come first serve, so sign up as early as possible, especially if you’re going for the hottest course offered in your school.

And finally this brings us to the most helpful, amazing tip of all to make sure that your summer school experience isn’t too hard to handle.

#4 Use College Professor Ratings to See if Your Professors Are Easy (or Hot!)

Even if you choose less intensive classes, you can still get stuck with a “hard” teacher. Make sure you research the professor you’re considering taking a class from before you sign up.

Remember how we got you all freaked out when we told you what Professor Hyman said? Good news, according to RateMyProfessors.com, it turns out he’s rated a 2.3 out of 5 rating for “easiness,” showing that he is somewhere between an “easy A” and “the usual” when it comes to difficulty (a 5 score would denote he’s the hardest prof). So no need to get too worried, just try to avoid those 5s on the easiness scale if you don’t want a tough professor over the summer.

Now let’s say that you need to take an intensive chemistry course this summer to get those science credits you’re after. The best way to survive a summer chemistry course would be to avoid the hardest chemistry professor in the whole school (that is, unless you’re some kind of proton-neutron-lovin’ genius!).

Here’s a Step-by-Step Tutorial Showing How To Find Ratings for Professors

Step 1: Search Your School

In this example we are searching Diablo Valley College – Pleasant Hill.

Step 2: Select the Appropriate Department

Now select “chemistry” from the department drop down menu.

Step 3: Sort By the Easy Professors

Now sort the profs by the “easiness” column by clicking on the blue column header.

And voila! We’ve discovered Chemistry Professor Richard Samuelson is the hardest of the chem teachers at Diablo Valley College, with a 5.0 easiness rating, which means “hardest thing I’ve ever done” according to the scale.  And check this out, he’s been rated by 5 students, which makes his rating more believable than Professor Dorota, who has been rated by only one student so far.

To find the easiest prof, just look for a 1 or 2 score in the easiness scale.

 *Side note* if you’re looking for eye-candy this summer, just look for professors with hot peppers by their names. But, really, how do these teachers feel about being objectified? Dr. Telzer sarcastically reveals that hot peppers are “all she wants!” Love them for their brains, people!

Step 4: Read the Reviews!

This is the fun part where you really get to find out the dirt on your potential prof. Previous students will have left glowing or hateful reviews of the professor in question. Be sure to read a few to make sure this professor has the qualities you seek in your ideal summer school teacher. (And when you’re done with your summer school class, leave a review of your own!)

Final Thoughts on Summer School

The Lesson? Summer School can be easier than normal school, you just have to make sure you play your cards right.

Summer School can be easier than normal school, you just have to play your cards right.
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Just like during a normal school semester, summer school classes are either easy or difficult depending on your comfort with the course material and the difficulty of the professors. You can end up with a hard schedule if you overload yourself, or get stuck with a tough teacher.

But if you are looking for an easier summer schedule, make sure to do your research and choose your subject and professor wisely, consider how much time you want to spend doing schoolwork over the summer, and you’ll be fine. You can still enjoy your summer and get a little school credit if you plan accordingly.

Share your summer school experiences with us. Was it difficult? Was it a breeze? Let us know in the comments!

, while others argue that math and science scores are suffering because of the long break. In an act of sheer genius, we’ve come up with ways to stay smart over the summer, without burying your nose in a book of Shakespeare’s plays or memorizing the periodic table of elements.

Here are six stress-free and fun ways to keep your mind sharp over summer vacation:

#1 Get Some Sleep

Yes, you read that right. To stay smart, you need your sleep. In a recent study at The University of Cincinnati, researchers found that only a quarter of college students are getting the recommended eight hours of sleep (although a good fifth of students are habitually skipping their 8AM Physics class and clocking in over eight hours of Zs per night).

According to neuroscientists—who need their sleep to stay so smart—sleep deprivation can lead to mental instability, stress, and other health problems. So during the summer months, take time to recharge your brain by the skipping all-night partying (at least don’t do that every night), and regularly getting your eight hours of shut-eye.

During the night your brain processes the information that it has absorbed during the day, keeping the good stuff and getting rid of the unnecessary stuff. Adequate sleep leads to better brain function and a smarter you.

#2 Meditate

Some researchers have found links between consistent (weekly or daily) meditation and an improvement in cognitive function. Meditation has also been shown to decrease stress levels and improve focus.

This summer, why don’t you get into the meditation habit by committing to a weekly session of meditation, and see how it helps you? If you find the habit leaves you more mentally alert and ready to take on life’s challenges, you can carry it forward into the next school year.

Here are four steps for a basic ten-minute meditation, and check out this fascinating TEDx talk about how meditation changes the brain.

#3 Build Something Cool

Break out the potatoes, hairspray, and a hacksaw! It’s time to build a potato gun. Whether you’re a kinetic learner (you learn by doing), or prefer getting your smarts from a book, learning to make stuff or to do new activities, like juggling, can help you stretch and grow your brain.

Amazing inventions, like iPods and airplanes, were built by kinetic geniuses that started out in their basements building things like potato guns and rockets. Here’s a great step-by-step guide to making your own spud rocket. Just don’t break the neighbor’s window!

#4 Play Brain Games

In 2008, researchers at Columbia University endeavored to prove that playing “brain games” could improve fluid intelligence (the brain’s ability to solve new problems).

While some scientists claim that “Brain Games are Bogus”—and the abilities you master playing a game won’t transfer well to helping you write a better essay, for example—the study at Columbia University showed that test subjects significantly increased their fluid intelligent scores by playing the game that researchers developed (play it for yourself here).

The researchers behind Luminosity.com have likewise undertaken studies that show regular brain training can improve student test scores. And if spending time this summer playing tedious brain games doesn’t sound like your idea of a good time, no worries!

Game designer Jane McGonigal says that playing smartphone games—like the popular game app Angry Birds—can make you a “more-resourceful problem solver, more collaborative, and less likely to give up when the going gets tough.” So this summer when your mom or girlfriend accuses you of wasting time on your iPad, tell her that you are exercising your brain!

 #5 Use a Paper Road Map

Are you taking a road trip or visiting a new city in a foreign country this summer? We challenge you to put away your GPS system and break out a paper map to keep your brain sharp! Map reading is, by nature, a mental exercise; for example, you have to compare the real world landmarks around you with the icons on the map to figure out where the heck you are, and which direction you should be going.

Cartographers say that relying on GPS systems to get you from point A to point B is wiping out our ability to really take notice of our surroundings. As a tourist in a new city, you’re more likely to run across a gorgeous cathedral or fascinating museum by taking the time to run your finger across the lines of a paper map.Also, one of the best ways to meet the locals is the simple exercise of stopping and asking for directions.

Not sure how to read a paper map? Learn to read a map in six simple steps. Also, don’t miss out on the “Greatest Paper Map of the United States” ever. According to cartographers, this mapmaker didn’t skimp out on the details, and the maps shows the true personality of the U.S.

 #6 Start a Blog

Stephen Krashen, professor emeritus of the University of Southern California, says that the very act of writing makes you smarter! But, let’s be honest, you’re probably burnt out from writing all those thesis papers for your Mark Twain-obsessed English Literature professor this year, so we aren’t asking you to spend your summer months re-evaluating your battered copy of Huckleberry Finn.

A fun way to keep your writing skills honed, and your brain agile, is to write a blog. You can keep your friends and family updated on your awesome adventures in India, or you can show off your gluten-free cooking skills. The trick is to find a theme or topic you’re interested in and post a short entry a couple of times per week.

Who knows, maybe you’ll find you have a knack for blogging and will clock in on the top ten most successful bloggers list next year! Not sure how to start a blog? Here are some quick and dirty tips on how to get your blog rolling.

Don’t let your gray matter turn into mush. Practice these six fun and easy brain-strengthening tips to keep your synapses firing all summer long. When school picks up next year, you’ll be ahead of your game. Do you have other fun ideas for staying smart this summer? Let us know in the comments.

If you need writing help but don’t have time to pop into your college writing center, check out these online tools:

• The Harvard Writing Center offers a free collection of “Brief Guides to Writing Papers in the Disciplines” and they are snappy, useful guides to academic papers. Many students at liberal arts universities must take courses in many academic disciplines and here you can find a guide for most areas, from English to Economics to Art History to Life Sciences to Politics to Music.

• The University of Toronto has a simple guide to spotting common mistakes in grammar, punctation, and style. Learning to correct these errors yourself can keep you out of the writing center and may be the difference between an average grade and a high grade. You can download any of their guides as a PDF.

Above: From the handout “Hit Parade Of Errors In Grammar, Punctuation, And Style”

• The UNC Writing Center posts short, informative multimedia videos to their YouTube channel on academic writing topics such as brainstorming, proofreading, and citing sources. The videos are two minutes or less, but they can quickly jump-start your assignment writing.

• Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab (OWL) maintains a dedicated help section on job search writing. Here students can find a useful job skills checklist and detailed resume and cover letter guidance. The real-life examples demonstrate how to write and format CVs, cover letters, personal statements, and resumes with real feedback.

Note: College writing centers are fantastic for free writing, editing, and formatting help. They are staffed by credentialed faculty and staff who can help you to strengthen your academic skills.  Did we mention free? Writing centers should not typically be avoided, but rather utilized for academic success. The online tools here are just a glimpse of the usefulness you can find by visiting your school’s writing center.