The "Perfect" College Essay and Is There Such A Thing?

Some students have a difficult time starting their college essays. Perhaps, it is a challenge selecting topics or a feeling that their essays must be perfect. The words "perfect essay" are engraved all over the media and Internet. No wonder this task can be intimidating.Once students let go of the idea that their essays must be perfect, ideas flow easier and great stories can be told. Too often, students are inundated with articles about writing the perfect essay, filling out the perfect college application and aspiring to perfect test scores. This, for the most part, is unrealistic and can even hinder creativity. Why is it that colleges such as MIT ask students to discuss a time they failed or Yale asking students how they would like to improve? Perfection is not a requirement and it is from our errors along the way that we grow and learn.

So, dispel the thought of the perfect college essay and begin writing. The goal in college essays is for admission officers to gain insight and learn new information about students that they cannot find elsewhere on the application.

Virtual Tools for Finding the Best College

The rising cost of higher education has many high school graduates and their parents investigating ways to save money whenever they can, including during their search for the ideal university. Parents and students are now questioning whether the visits to multiple institutions of higher learning that prospective undergraduates once shrugged off as a necessary expense are really necessary. While most college counselors recommend a physical visit before making a final decision, virtual college visits offer economical alternatives to traditional visits, allowing students to make informed assessments that can narrow their choices.

A limited number of universities offer virtual as well as physical college fairs, allowing people for whom distances present challenges to get a feel for the school by experiencing the same content that they might normally discover during a visit to the campus. While it can be helpful to engage in an individual college fair associated with a particular campus, few universities currently host their own online events.

Spice Up The Dorm Room With Nice Linens

College bound students might ask themselves what is the difference between dorm linens and regular? To account for the diverse heights and body sizes, each dorm room is equipped with a bed that demands extra long twin bed sheets. This is only true for the bed sheets, whereas; regular twin duvet covers, comforters and blankets will fit as typical.

There are some other concerns to keep in mind about dorm linens. College students often find themselves spending a substantial part of their time on the bed, whether studying, eating or sleeping due to compact space in the room. Because of all of this time spent on the bed, students may contemplate acquiring a more expensive brand of sheets that have a higher thread count. A higher thread count means a softer, more durable, and smoother bed sheet. An additional concern is whether to choose white or colored bedding. Often since college students spend a lot of time on their bed, sheets may become dirty from food or just dirt. So students must keep all these things in mind when acquiring dorm linens.

Campus Visit: Thomas Aquinas College, A Truly Unique School

Students and families involved in the college search process should plan to visit their top choice schools. Not all colleges and universities are the same and not every school will be right for every student. Here is an example of a very different college-one you might like to visit.

There are only a handful of truly unique colleges-schools so exceptional in their curriculum and approach to education that there is no comparison. Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, California is one of these schools.

Thomas Aquinas is located 65 miles northwest of Los Angeles and is home to 350 students. It is a Roman Catholic college and Christian faith plays a major role in campus activities.

Collaborative Learning: The Right Kind of Nursing Education

Medical education has come a long way over the years. The days of massive lectures in stuffy halls by tight-suited professors standing over preserved cadavers have given way to a variety of competitive and versatile training programs. More importantly, it is no longer only doctors who must undergo specialized education, but the increasingly important profession of nurses also requires intense schooling. There are many different kinds of training programs for nurses, from general bedside helpers to specialized assistants and personal care workers. Before thinking about what kind of nurse you would like to become, the first step is to consider what kind of education you want.

There are several teaching methods that give the nursing student a competitive edge when entering the professional world. One specific method of education that some schools offer which could be considered superior is known as the collaborative learning method.

The Pharmaceutical Path

How often does a visit to the family doctor always lead to a second visit to the local pharmacist? We all know those dedicated apothecary workers are experts at reading those illegible scribbles the physicians made on those valuable slips of paper. But the pharmacist and the pharmacy technician need much more knowledge and expertise than mere bad handwriting discernibility.

A pharmacy technician is a healthcare worker who acts primarily as an assistant to a licensed pharmacist, but could also work in many other related functions. Although not a licensed pharmacist, a pharmacy technician does require a diverse and engaging educational program before being able to work. Because of the many functions and areas of industries where a pharmacy technician can work, the courses they take over four-semester programs gives them a wide knowledge of the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. For those looking to pursue a career that can combine knowledge of everything ranging from anatomy to legislation and human relations, then enrolling in a pharmacy technician program may be worth considering.

College Campus Visit Must Do's

A college visit is the single best way for you to evaluate a potential college and determine if it could be a good fit for you. Where do you begin? What should you do? Are there any must-see places?

Begin by scheduling your visit through the admissions office. Most colleges will allow you to schedule online. Often you will be given the opportunity to attend an information session, possibly presentations by particular departments or schools, and a campus tour.

Don't try to skip the official visit and substitute a do-it-yourself tour instead. Some colleges track "demonstrated interest" and may consider the fact that you've visited campus when making admissions decisions. Additionally, the information presented in the session will help you decide whether admission and scholarships are likely, possible, or a reach at this school.

Off-Campus Housing: How to Convince Your Parents

Many colleges have a requirement that freshmen spend their first year in the dorms. Beyond that, most universities are happy to allow their students to move into off-campus housing if they prefer. Of course, many students choose to live in the dorms the entire time. Others, however, crave a bit more freedom. If this is you and you aren't paying your own bills, you'll need to persuade your parents that it is a good idea. Easier said than done, but there are some compelling arguments for moving into your own place. Here are some of them.

Decreased Distractions

If you're to convince your parents that you should be able to move into off-campus housing, you're going to have to make arguments they will respond to. Giving them arguments about increased freedom to party and relaxed rules about having the opposite sex sleep over are unlikely to make your case.

3 Handy Tips for Writing the IELTS Test

If you are considering taking the IELTS test then you should look over the academic requirements and decide whether you will be applying for the academic version or the general training version.

The academic test is for those seeking higher learning and the general test is for immigration purposes or work experience. If you are unsure which test is right for you then a qualified IELTS training organisation will be able to help you arrange the correct test. The IELTS test comprises of 4 parts; listening, reading, writing and speaking. It is the writing section of the test which has the lowest average mark.

This article will cover 3 tips for improving your writing skills to get better results in the IELTS test:

Collaborative Learning: The Right Kind of Nursing Education

Medical education has come a long way over the years. The days of massive lectures in stuffy halls by tight-suited professors standing over preserved cadavers have given way to a variety of competitive and versatile training programs. More importantly, it is no longer only doctors who must undergo specialized education, but the increasingly important profession of nurses also requires intense schooling. There are many different kinds of training programs for nurses, from general bedside helpers to specialized assistants and personal care workers. Before thinking about what kind of nurse you would like to become, the first step is to consider what kind of education you want.

There are several teaching methods that give the nursing student a competitive edge when entering the professional world. One specific method of education that some schools offer which could be considered superior is known as the collaborative learning method.

The Pharmaceutical Path

How often does a visit to the family doctor always lead to a second visit to the local pharmacist? We all know those dedicated apothecary workers are experts at reading those illegible scribbles the physicians made on those valuable slips of paper. But the pharmacist and the pharmacy technician need much more knowledge and expertise than mere bad handwriting discernibility.

A pharmacy technician is a healthcare worker who acts primarily as an assistant to a licensed pharmacist, but could also work in many other related functions. Although not a licensed pharmacist, a pharmacy technician does require a diverse and engaging educational program before being able to work. Because of the many functions and areas of industries where a pharmacy technician can work, the courses they take over four-semester programs gives them a wide knowledge of the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

College Campus Visit Must Do's

A college visit is the single best way for you to evaluate a potential college and determine if it could be a good fit for you. Where do you begin? What should you do? Are there any must-see places?

Begin by scheduling your visit through the admissions office. Most colleges will allow you to schedule online. Often you will be given the opportunity to attend an information session, possibly presentations by particular departments or schools, and a campus tour.

Don't try to skip the official visit and substitute a do-it-yourself tour instead. Some colleges track "demonstrated interest" and may consider the fact that you've visited campus when making admissions decisions. Additionally, the information presented in the session will help you decide whether admission and scholarships are likely, possible, or a reach at this school.