Leaders Are Leaders, Not Managers

By James Gilbert Pynn

The argument is leadership is seldom an innate skill. To be sure there is a case for personal charisma or even the ability to inspire those around you, but true leadership, the kind that rallies nations, is a refined, learned skill. Military intuitions, like West Point, have long believed that leaders are trained, not born. Leading men and women into battle or into the boardroom, the skills are essentially the same. It is no coincidence: a disproportionate amount of military-trained individuals find themselves in leadership positions in the corporate sphere.

Humans have historically been concerned with their personal security and survival. Now, they spend an inordinate amount of time in the employment of organizations, typically corporations. Yet, humans are still driven to affiliate themselves with one another to protect their security and belongings. Indeed, even within the corporate structure people are compelled to protect one another from being fired or protecting the "herd." Amidst all this they are constantly looking leaders to help them, and they are seldom to found among their supervisors.

It has been argued that leaders emerge from informal structures, not from rigid institutions. So, despite the military's emphasis on leadership, true leaders of men and women are unofficially and seemingly randomly appointed. The theory as to why one person is held up as a leader and another is not is still subject to much speculation. They are never appointed or respected because of their position within the organization; they emerge by means of influence. This influence is the ability to gain cooperation from others by means of persuasion alone, seldom from the threat of force.

A theorist, Abraham Zaleznik, identified substantive differences between leadership and management. According to Zaleznik, leaders are inspired visionaries, concerned with substance. On the other hand, managers are planners who are concerned with process. Another leadership theorist, Warren Bennis, further explained the difference between managers and leaders.

Bennis alleged that managers administer, while leaders innovate. Managers ask how and when, while leaders ask what and why. Managers imitate, while leaders originate. Furthermore, he argued managers emulate the classic good soldier, whereas leaders are their own person, preoccupied with originality. Indeed, it seems leadership, though a skill that can be learned is a way of living. Leadership programs can teach you how to lead, but it seems a leader simply knows how to lead.

About the Author:

If you are interested in a viable leadership program, it would behoove you to do a fair bit of research. Although leadership seems to be a predominantly innate quality, a leadership program could help you single out your strengths and weaknesses.

What is So Fascinating About Medical Schools?

By Anne Ahira

Doctors are greatly acknowledged personals in the community, plus our well-being as well as well being depend on their intelligence and proficiency in their selected province.

Their helps are vastly very appreciated, and doctors create relatively the fine livelihood. medical schools are the basic main to raise the occupation like a physician.

Medical schools are focused academy foundation which educate its learners the whole about medication. There are a selection of differentdissimilardiverseunlike scales plus fields that medical students could get. Medical schools present subjects like biochemistry, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, as well as relations remedy to label some.

Medical schools admittance obligations are usually very rigorous. Hopeful students have to sign up to one of the various medical schools which are nowadays in operation.

The request procedure usually for instance an submission, a review of the probable candidate student coursework, a few placement, plus might the majority prominently their point on the MCAT (a standardized medical exam). If the aspirant able to productively direct lead this then they going to possible receive admittance to the medical school of their decision.

However, medical schools do not totally get ready a applicant to become a physician. Truly, later than the medical student has obtained their grade they ought to pass their country medicinal board examinations.

About the Author:

About Author: MedicalSchool-s.com. Enjoy a collection of medical schools in our site. Practical tips on medical schools. Covers medical schools related issues, news, research, tips, and guide.

Who Gets Admitted to an Ivy League College, and How

By Daniel Z. Kane

If your goal is admission to an Ivy League College, you've set the academic bar as high as possible. It's tougher now to get into Harvard, Yale, etc. now than ever in their histories.

Ninety-five percent of the students admitted to Harvard graduated in the top ten percent of their classes. And, remember that a significant number of those students come from academically competitive schools public and private schools.

As you might guess, their test scores were also pretty impressive, with the middle fifty percent of the class (25-75%) scoring in the top 1% of all students tested. To put that in perspective, the middle half of the class (excluding the top and bottom 25%) correctly answered about ninety percent (90%) of the ACT or SAT questions.

Clearly, students who want to wind up at an Ivy must beat out some very talented competitors. But...here's some worse news for applicants...they have to beat out lots of them. Harvard received 22,754 applications this year. Only 2,124 received the letter they wanted from the Office of Admissions.

Are the other Ivies easier to get into than Harvard? Maybe, but not much. Is it impossible to be admitted to an Ivy? Not impossible. But, awfully difficult.

If you hope to attend an Ivy, know two things. First, no matter how big a star you are in high school, there are no guarantees. Even valedictorians and students with perfect ACT or SAT scores are sometimes denied admission.

The second reality is that if you are anywhere near the statistical profile of a student with a chance of admission to an Ivy, you have no reason to feel sorry for yourself. You may not get into an Ivy, but you should have great college choices.

So, how do you maximize your chances for admission to an Ivy or other highly competitive college? First, take the most challenging high school courses available to you. And, if you can take a few college courses while concurrently enrolled in high school, you might want to do so, especially if you run out of genuinely difficult high school courses.

Take the ACT and SAT as early as possible; perhaps even as a high school freshman, to get the experience and receive a profile which lets you know how your scores stack up comparatively. Begin doing some test prep work (on your own or with a tutor or test prep organization) early in your junior year of high school.

Make yourself what used to be called a "well rounded" person; it's good for you and good for your candidacy. Join clubs or organizations in which you have genuine interest. I repeat, genuine interest. Accept positions of leadership if they are available.

A good or bad essay can be an important "tip" factor for you. And, it's your best opportunity to tell the admissions committee who you are. Don't waste it.

Early decision may improve your chances. Consider it carefully.

Choose carefully the teachers you ask for recommendations. Be as certain as possible that they will recommend you with enthusiasm.

Anything you can do to help others and/or accelerate your personal growth can only help you as a person, and make you at least a marginally more attractive applicant.

The Ivies, and other highly selective colleges, are after bright, motivated, high-achievers. In addition, they seek diversity and students whose backround, accomplishment, and talents indicate their potential to be significant contributors to the campus community.

About the Author:

Daniel Z. Kane has had a long career in education. His many educational websites deal with subjects such as online college degrees , online and distance education , financial aid, and scholarships.

10 Tips on Writing a Press Release for the College Media and Getting it Picked Up

1. "Why should college students care?" Before you start to write, ask yourself this question. If you can't come up with a good answer, then don't even bother. By knowing and writing for your demographic, it will help you to deliver the right message to the college media.
2. Make sure your Press Release is newsworthy (Definition of Newsworthy). It's time to brush up on your Journalism 101. Make sure you know what makes a good news story. The more elements of a newsworthy story, the better.
3. Is the story unique? Have we heard this story before? Let's hope not. How is your story/product/organization unique? Stop the spin. This is the age of the internet where real news travels fast and unique news travels faster. Help your client by stopping the spin and telling them their product/story just simply isn't unique.
4. Target - Specifically tailor your message to an individual school or select group of schools. A little semantics goes a long way. We all know what it's like to receive a personalized letter versus a generic robo message. Take the time and make it personalized. This also applies to inside the newsroom. Most likely there is a college journalist that covers your beat. Find out who that beat writer or editor is and introduce yourself.
5. Headline - This is the most important part of your press release. What will grab the attention of a college journalist? Make sure it is captivating, quick and collegiate. (Example: One of our most viewed releases entitled "Best Internship Ever!")
6. Sweeten the Pot - Include samples for review or the access to interviews. Get your product into their hands. Let them taste, wear, listen, watch, feel or use your product or service. Do you have access to an expert or celebrity? Make sure to include these opportunities in your press release.
7. Necessities - Make sure to include the following: Your contact Information, including email, as well as information about the organization, or its history. It is also important to include a link to your website, if applicable.
8. HTML - The days of faxing are long gone! Embed videos or images that highlight or best convey your message. Include links to demos, examples, web pages, etc. (Example: Best Internship Ever! by STA Travel).
9. Quotes and testimonials - Make the story more tangible by including quotes from real college students, faculty or staff.
10. On campus representation - There is nothing more powerful than face-to-face delivery of a message. If you have ambassadors of your brand on or near a college campus, have them deliver your message directly to the newsroom. It makes your message that much more powerful and you have a source for the journalist them to quote.
The takeaway - Content and Relationships are paramount.

Why starting early helps you get into Harvard and Stanford

By Ivy League Secrets

If you're like me, you waited until the last minute before worrying about college. Luckily, I pulled it off - getting accepted at Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and a few other schools. There are some tricks to make this happen - but that's for another article.

Here, I'd like to talk about what you can do when you're a freshman or sophomore. When you have a lot of time to plan and work hard. My time as an Admissions Officer really showed me the difference between those that plan ahead, and those that don't make the grade.

1) Make sure you have a good GPA and SAT score. Take every AP-level class and test that you can - and get 4s and 5s. Princeton expects you to challenge yourself at the highest academic levels, over and over

2) Participate in several clubs, and focus on leadership. But don't just be President - do unique, new things with the clubs (holding conferences, partnering with area schools, entering competitions, etc)

3) Sports and music are helpful - they show specific passions and interests

4) You need to think about NATIONAL and/or INTERNATIONAL awards, prizes, and scholarships to distinguish yourself in this competitive environment. Admissions is simply too competitive to only win local or state honors

Make sure your accomplishments and experiences tell a STORY ABOUT YOUR LIFE. Admissions committees want to know that you have clear interests, clear goals in life, and all those things are reflected by your essays, recs, and experiences

Rejections happen because applicants do a little of everything, and nothing truly well. They're not DISTINCTIVE in anything they do - and they don't get into Harvard or Stanford because they don't have a story.

Always value depth of success over breadth.

Follow this advice, and you'll have a great shot. Please don't forget - 50% of your success is hard work. The other 50% is crafting the right application, so don't forget about TELLING A STORY.

About the Author:

Have an average GPA? Low SAT score? Hopeless To Harvard is an insider's account of how a B+ student got into Harvard, Stanford, and Princeton. Click here to learn how any smart high school student can get into an Ivy League school. Get into Harvard now!

3 secrets of extracurriculars to get into Harvard and Stanford

By Ivy League Secrets

Extracurricular accomplishments are tough to judge, because they vary widely by school, by region, and by state.

There are well-known organizations and competitions - for instance, Debate and National Honor Society.

For everything else, it comes down to a qualitative judgment. That's why you need to do everything you can to be the best, regardless of what activity you're involved with.

Having worked in the Admissions Office of a Top 20 college (as well as being a former Ivy Leaguer), I've developed a clear perspective on exactly what you need to accomplish in your extracurriculars to stand out.

Here's what you must focus on:

1) Leadership positions that are SCHOOLWIDE - like student government and class government. It's impressive because you stand out across the entire school. Princeton will be impressed.

2) Involvement in the ECs where your high school is strong. Most College Admissions Committees know what each school is good at (for instance, Academic Decathlon) - participating in your high school's best areas will help your admissions chances at Yale

3) Anything that leads to national or international recognition - given the competition these days, it's the best way to stand apart from the pack for the Ivy Leagues

As I share in Hopeless To Harvard, half of your success is what you accomplish in high school. The other half is how well you present it in the college admissions application.

Describing the results and effect of your leadership and extracurricular activities. Don't just talk about the steps you took and the process - talk about why it was important to you and what the positive impact for your school was

Follow the above steps, and you'll be opening an admissions packet from Harvard in less than a year!

About the Author:

I was a former Admissions Officer for a top 20 school. Before that, I got into Harvard, Stanford, and Princeton. I wrote Hopeless To Harvard to share my secrets on how you can do it too. Click here to read my insider's account to Ivy League admissions. Discover how to get into Harvard now!

What You Need To Know To Get A College Grant

By Chris Channing

College students are famous for being the most poor of all social classes- but they get by nevertheless. Helping them do so is the government, who passes along grants their way to help finance their classes, living quarters, books, and food. Keep in mind that it will take work to get such grants, as they will certainly not come to you by themselves.

Grants require a massive amount of information in order to obtain. In many cases, it will require that a student has filed for their taxes and had a valid tax return in order to complete a grant application. Because of this, it's recommended that students wait until they file their taxes before filing for student aid. Some organizations will require specific tax information on both them and their parents. Some specific grants may also require other types of information, although easier found, such as test scores or merits.

As far as government grants go, the Pell grant is the easiest to obtain. This grant in particular is a favorite among grants, since it doesn't have to be repaid like some others. There are certain restrictions, and total value is determined by the information sent to the government. Rules of the grant should be learned, such as the statute that says only one Pell grant is available per student per year, no matter how many colleges are attended.

The majority of grant opportunities are going to come from filling out a FAFSA. This application is required by some institutions before even gaining entry into college, so it's necessary no matter what the financial need is of the student. It usually takes an hour or two to fill out, and is best filled out after filing taxes.

Also consider obtaining grants through the university, in which doing a work-study is possible. A work study program allows the student to take a job on at the university, in which will pay for part of the tuition for the given semester or year. Often times the university will get compensation from the government in offering such programs, so they like to do so when possible.

If you do decide to go for a loan, be sure that you will have the means of paying it back by the time college is said and done. Most loans available to college students will have to be paid on as soon as the student leaves college. If one doesn't obtain a job almost immediately, it'll be tough to pay the bills each month.

Closing Comments

From here, students should now go talk to their counselors, fill out a FAFSA, and fill out as many scholarships as possible. Every little bit helps in paying off an expensive education.

About the Author:

Learn more on free government grants and free money.

Don't Think about a Purple Elephant

By Louis R Burns

I wanted to comment on something I've seen people doing recently.

Whenever you tell people not to do or think something, they have to go inside their head and make a representation of it before they can negate it. Even if they decide not to do it as you recommend, they'll still have experienced whatever it was like to make that picture, sound, feeling, etc.

You may have heard some people say that the subconscious doens't process the negative part of messages. It goes about bringing into existance whatever you focus on even if you're trying not to think about it.

Whenever you find yourself telling people what you don't want, pause a moment. Figure out what you do want and say that instead. That ususally gives you the same logical argument without encouraging them to make a representation you don't want them to have.

People don't consider the images they're putting into people's heads. A friend was recently heating some wax and facitiously said not to eat it. My response was, "I was just about to, I'm glad you said something." That kind of response lets people imagine the silliness of their statements.

A problem/solution approach to persuasion works too. You'll have to test each method to know which converts better for your particular situation.

So when you're editing your copy, make sure to filter for negations and see if there's something else you'd prefer your reader to be thinking about.

About the Author:

Louis Burns is certified in NLP Copywriting. He has created a 12 lesson home study course on hypnotic writing. Visit his blog at www.louisrburns.com.

The Happy Schools Blog - Definitely Worth Checking Out

All you students need to check this site out.
It is a pot of gold for all of you.

http://www.happyschoolsblog.com/

Thank you for the comments

Dear all gentle readers, that you for the comments that have given.
Really appreciate it.
Its these little responses, regardless of how short they are, are what gives us the energy to carry on blogging.

Again Thank You
Wishing You All the Best

Moe Lwin

Exist Clever, Exist Cleverer

By Simon M Skinner

You hear a lot these days about how important it is to live a greener life that you should lighten your carbon footprint on the earth. Sometimes it seems like we're getting lectured everywhere we turn.

Happily, there are some simple steps you can take towards living a greener life. In most cities, there is curbside recycling; so all you need to do is to separate your recyclables and place them out on the curb along with your trash for pickup - the pickup service takes care of the rest, all you have to do is separate your recyclables and take them to the curb.

One great (and easy) way to live greener is to join your local Freecycle email list. Instead of throwing away unwanted items, you can post them on the list - it's more than likely that someone will have a need for them. Of course, when you need something, you can look there first before going out and buying new things. Freecycle keeps a lot of trash out of landfills and is a great money saver.

You can substitute some of your household items for more green friendly items. One such item is compact fluorescent light bulbs. These bulbs are much more energy efficient, which means that they use a lot less energy (and save you money) while being about the same price as any other light bulbs - they also last much longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.

You can also get rid of your existing yard lights and replace them with solar powered lights. These do just as good of a job of illuminating your outdoor spaces, but use no electrical power. You can find solar powered yard lights in a variety of pleasing designs and you can install theme yourself without the assistance of an electrician. Solar powered holiday lights are also available, letting you save money on your electric bill while dressing up your home for the holidays.

Another great way to save money while doing something to live greener is to use rechargeable batteries - these have greatly improved in recent years and are long lasting, easy too use and of course save money as well. When the batteries are finally used up and cannot take another charge, they may be recycled at almost any hardware store.

It's actually pretty easy to live a greener lifestyle. You can benefit the environment and your pocketbook at the same time. You may soon find yourself looking for more ways to add a little more green to your life.

About the Author:

Simon Skinner is the owner of green-base.com. Green-base.com is your base for all things green, providing news and views as well as advice and services to assist you in your new eco-friendly lifestyle! Bookmark www.green-base.com for all of your green advice.

Be Eco-Friendly, Be Greener

By Simon M Skinner

One of the benefits of living green is it can extend your lifespan. This may be surprising, but it is very true. There are many things that not only help the earth, but they help you, too! Eating fresh organic foods, cutting down on driving, and many other things will help you live greener, longer!

Most foods are grown using pesticides; there are natural ways to get rid of these pests without polluting the earth. Commercial meet producers use growth hormones and antibiotics to grow the animals bigger and faster to gain more profits. You can buy organically grown foods or grow your own if you live where this is possible. You will be able to eat fresh food and meat daily, full of nutrients, and free from chemicals and the bad effects they can cause. This will greatly improve your health and also help the environment.

There are many things you can do to cut down on driving. Try to do everything in one trip if possible. You will save money, cut down on traffic, and reduce emissions into the environment. Driving is stressful and stress is not good for you so less driving means less stress. Ride with someone or use public transportation if you can. You can ride a bike or walk in some cases and it will also give you some healthy exercise.

Composting your food scraps can save you money in garbage waste and provide you with great soil next season for your own garden. It also keeps a lot of good stuff out of the landfills. Just keep adding your fruit and vegetable wastes, egg shells, coffee grounds, and grains to the compost pile. You can add your raked leaves and lawn clippings as well. Don't add meat or bones... they will attract insects like flies and will take longer to compost. Water the compost down once in awhile to get the enzymes activated. Come spring, you'll have some nice compost soil to add to your own vegetable garden for more healthy eating.

There is a lot you can do in your home to get more green. Open up the curtains and let the light in. Natural light is the best light to see by and you can avoid using energy by leaving your lights off more. Start using the new compact fluorescent light bulbs and stop wasting money and energy on the standard bulbs. These bulbs will last much longer and use less energy. You will love not having to change light bulbs all the time.

The little things add up, start recycling your aluminum cans and anything else you can. Not only will you help the earth to be greener, you will get a little cash too. Take your own bags to the store when you shop, you will have less trash and the store may even give you a few cents for doing it. Try to buy things with less plastic packaging if possible. You will help your air to be cleaner to breath by doing these things.

It's not that hard to live a greener life. You will feel much better about yourself and you will also feel better because you are eating more healthy foods. A green life means a longer life, give it a try and see the difference for yourself.

About the Author:

Simon Skinner is the owner of green-base.com. Green-base.com is your base for all things green, providing news and views as well as news and services to assist you in your new eco-friendly lifestyle! Bookmark www.green-base.com for all of your eco-friendly news.

Train Your Brain- Exercises to Improve Your IQ

By Vlad Stivenson

The brain is one of the most important organs in the body that you should be able to maintain and work out. Since it is as well part of the body which you usually are concerned with when performing certain exercises, it is important that you should perform the same maintenance to your intellectual ability to enhance your mental capacity.

Well, you should definitely make sure that your brain is still capable of responding into any activity that concerns utilizing it. There are various ways where you can workout your brain so it can be able to adjust readily to different conditions in the environment. You'll actually find games or exercises that can contribute to this intellectual workout either if you would like to be comfortably sitting on a chair or working or you might as well go in front of your PC.

If you would like to know how would you be able to keep your brain in good condition, then you should be aware on how your brain memorizes and keeps everything it absorbs through your memory bank. The mind can be easily influenced and that is why it thinks. When it thinks it tries to gather up information from the memory bank which definitely are relevant to the situation that the brain in trying to decide on. What if let's say you forget? What makes the brain experience this then?

Usually you hear people blanks out because they are unable to remember. They'd say that probably their age has to do with forgetting to do something or why they could not easily remember. Actually one can win a victory over this issue and that is through "Brain Fitness".

Have you ever heard of Alzheimer's disease? This disease actually has a lot of medical definitions but basically the disease is associated with the continuously loss of memory which leads to not being able to get access to those memories anymore. And isn't it a very sad thing not for you to remember those happy memories that you once had in your life? Like it just get's wiped away because of a certain disease that acts like a virus that have deleted and corrupted important files in your computer. Well you certainly don't want to be in this situation right? So, try to make your brain more functional as it should be to be able to obtain its maximum production possible.

Your brain actually serves as the main network of the whole body. It receives the signals, decides what to do with it, and have other parts of your body execute what is being asked. So if your brain malfunctions, definitely other parts of your body would as well be affected. Now. in string details into your memory bank, the brain doesn't simply stores what you did or a certain memory by keeping it a single entity. Memories are stored like packets of data being sent into a central unit which distributes them to the different channels of the brain.

Achieving Good Memory Skills

In an ordinary conversation you have with your fellow colleague or with somehow someone you has just got an acquaintance with let's say for about a day that passed, can you recollect the details that you have been able to discuss which pertains to that particular situation accordingly? If not, then try to reconstructing certain activities that may be related to it and see if it would bring up a clear recognition of that particular conversation that you have had earlier.

Of course to achieve the best results in enhancing the capacity of your brain to think and recall, you'd definitely need to practice to recall what things may have happened to you recently or even the not so distinct details in a situation or a conversation. This would exercise your brains capability of storing information to its memory bank and keep it going for a longer period of time.

Including different Activities To Everyday Living

The different activities that you add to your life would be part of your brain's memory enhancement program. You can start by actually by choosing your chores dynamically and changing routines. try getting involved with new topics and new conversations with new people, this would help your brain absorb other things and gather certain information accordingly.

Being able to bring something new to the brain give it the capacity to produce more space for it to store more memory instead of overwriting the old ones so the more you add new experiences, the more you obtain sharper memory.

Even your brain get's bored with the same old thing that happens everyday, so try something new to make your life more exciting as possible.

Gain New Knowledge About Almost Everything

Do you know that physical activities can contribute as an exercise for your brain as well? That definitely is true, so don't hesitate to keep a healthy lifestyle by not only getting new food for the brain but as well as keeping a healthy lifestyle by enjoying new physical activities such as sailing, skiing or maybe even those silent activities that involves physical and mental stress relief like for instance yoga. Another thing is that, you should always enhance what knowledge you have in store for your brain. How will you be able to interact with intellectual conversations if you are not prepared to what you are going to say? It is necessary that you try reading books of your interest but should as well be challenging on your end where you wouldn't feel that what you are reading is something that you already know about. In short, try reading something that you have never read before and absorb what's in it for a change! What is more important in adding that excitement to your life is having the ability to practice what not only is healthy but is challenging to it as well. This is the same as maintaining your brain's intellectual state and its capacity to fill up all those spaces with memories that you will be able to recall in the future. You may as well add up a manifestation of joy to your life as well as putting yourself into a good mood, because this would definitely help you gain mental stability as well as a definite stress reliever for your mind and your body.

About the Author:

Vlad Stivenson, developer of difficult intelligence test

Cost of repeating subject: $479

By Desmond Ong

ALL he wanted to do was to upgrade himself.
Having done badly in his O levels in 1976, Michael decided to retake one O-level subject, mathematics, some 32 years later. He wanted to improve his credentials.
The 49-year-old, who didn't want to give his full name, paid $56 to attend a one-year part-time course in O-level maths in ITE Bishan last year. That amount covered his course fees and once-a-week lessons.
Unfortunately, Michael scored aD7in his examination, only a small improvement from the E8 he scored for the same subject in 1976.
Last Saturday, this dejected administrator, who took a diploma in Business Administration from a private school in 1992, returned to ITE Bishan to register for the same course once again.
He was shocked to find out that he now has to pay $479 to do so - some 81/2 times the amount paid the first time.
The new fees for repeat courses came into effect this year.
Previously, it would have cost Michael just $56 to repeat the course, the same as for those taking it for the first time.
Said Michael: 'I thought that $56 for a course is okay but to pay so much just to repeat it is quite ridiculous.
'And I felt humiliated when an ITE staff member said, 'Well, you should have tried better, then you wouldn't have had to repeat'.
'I felt so ashamed. If I am so bright, I wouldn't be here re-taking my O-level subjects, right?'
This repeat fee does not include an examination fee, which cost Michael $140 last year.
He said that he felt helpless, because he liked the General Education (GE)programme offered by ITE. It provides opportunities for adults to acquire academic qualifications up to the GCE N and O levels on a part-time basis.
It offers courses from Secondary 1 Normal onwards and includes subjects such as English, mathematics and science.
The course fee per subject starts from $51. But from this year, the cost to repeat a subject is $407 to $479, according to the ITE website.
Said Michael: 'It's kind of sad. It's either I pay up or I don't repeat the course. But I figured that I could always study on my own, which is going to be a challenge.
'The Government is encouraging people like me to upgrade ourselves. But on the other hand, why is there a need to increase the fee by so much'
'Shouldn't these course fees be subsidised?'
Playful then
He said that he managed to get only two O-level passes in 1976 - a B4 in English and a C6 in technical drawing.
He said: 'I was quite playful when I was young. And during those days, even if you don't do well in your O levels, it was still considered quite okay. We could still get a job and work.
'It was during the last few years that there were more of such courses and I had more time to think about upgrading myself. I thought it would be good if I can make use of the time to improve on my mathematics.'
Michael, who is married with no children, had thought of taking two more O-level subjects this year - science and English - to improve on his past scores. But he has decided against it, just in case he fails the subjects again and has to pay more money to repeat them.
Another mature student, nurse Anita Devi, 32, said she too had to pay $479 to repeat her O-levels mathematics this year.
A Singaporean like Michael, she had scored F9 for her O-level English, mathematics and science last year. The mother of three had paid $102 per subject under the GE programme last year.
The course fees vary depending on the student's age, qualification and citizenship.
'I failed all three subjects because I didn't put in much effort. I was doing shift work and I had to take care of my three children. It was challenging trying to juggle all that,' she said.
Madam Anita is married with three sons, aged 15, 14and 13.
'Can't afford'
She's going to retake only her mathematics because she said she can't afford to pay for all three repeat courses.
She said: 'Times are so bad, maybe some things can be changed. I have other expenses. The ITE could've given some rebates or moderated the increase. But this is too much of a jump.
'How about those who are not working and wish to retake? It's so expensive.'
When contacted, ITE said this policy on repeat modules took effect for intakes after April 2007. It was part of the Government's review on funding for part-time courses offered by ITE and the polytechnics. Said an ITE spokesman: 'The rationale behind this review of funding is to optimise the use of the high subsidies (of up to 90 per cent of course fees) from public funds to benefit as many Singapore citizens and PRs as possible.'
ITE's centre supervisors will explain the various financial assistance schemes available for students who are affected by the policy and who require financial assistance.
And this policy does not affect part-time students who withdraw from the module owing to situations like medical reasons or official work.
ITE is also offering shorter and more affordable revision courses as an alternative to the GE Programme for repeat students.

This article was first published in The New Paper.

How Easy Is It To Become An American Citizen

By Kevin Harper

Becoming an American citizen is not as easy as it once was. only ten or twenty years ago the border could be easily crossed and and gain citizenship in the US by registering. Immigration laws have really gotten a lot more strict, however, and the procedure for an immigrant to become a citizen of the US and is more often than not necessary to hire an American immigration attorney to assist you. This will not only help you to be able to enter into the United States fairly easily, it will help greatly you to be able to steer clear of any pitfalls that might hinder the process along as you go.

An easier method of becoming a citizen in the United States would be to marry an American citizen. But this is no guarantee That you will to become a citizen of America without difficulty. What it does say, that if you wed this person for a reason other than becoming a citizen of the United States you certainly will be able to apply for the status of citizen. With that you will be given a lot of forms that you must fill out out either as their fiance, prior to marriage or as the spouse after marriage.

A few of the regulations that are necessary in your quest to become an American will be covered by the attorney you hired. This is a great help for those who lack the ability to speak English as a native language as some of the regulations can get quite lengthy and be very wordy. They will help you to make sure that you are compliant with the laws. and as well as that all of your forms are filled out properly and shipped to the right offices. By doing this you will ensure that you will complete this process with the least amount of problems necessary.

If you met your fiance in a different country and you want to come into the United States for the purpose of marriage there are particular forms that you must to fill out. Your attourney will guide you in filling them out as well as regulations that shows if your marriage will or will not be accepted by the United States for citizenship or not. Some reasons for why your application might be rejected might be because you knew your fiance for too short a time, you failed to marry within three months of entering the country or else it is illegal for you to marry according to the laws in either country.

If you wish for this process to go smoothly hiring an American immigration attorney could benefit you in a number of ways. Not only do they know the ins and outs of immigration and gaining citizenship in the states, they have also completed all the forms that you must fill out many different times. If the forms are filled out right and forwarded to the right offices, they will be streamlined through this long process. If you decide to do it yourself and they are filled out wrong, there will much delay in getting into the country.

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Regardless of how much you think you are aware about fiancee visa attorney information such as resources about immigration interview questions spouse.

Is an Online College Degree Right For You?

By Jon P. Slater

Online education has revolutionized distance learning, providing greater convenience and opening new doors for a lot of people who want to increase their career potential. If you are interested in getting a degree online, there are a number of things you should consider.

The first thing you have to make sure of is if online learning is right for you. Enrolling in an online two-year college or college is ideal for working people or stay-at-home parents. If your other priorities leave you no opportunity to make it to scheduled classes, taking courses online is the best way to go, provided you have a good amount of self-discipline when it comes to time management. Online learning is really for people who do very well with minimum supervision. It can also provide that second chance at further training for older adults who may not feel too comfortable attending classes with people who are a lot younger.

Signing up for an online law school degree doesn't mean that you'll be getting substandard instruction. An accredited online school ensures that students get adequate online guidance from their teacher with the use of internet tools. Challenging individual and group projects may be given by your professors, for which you can use various online resources. Forums, message boards and chat rooms are often provided in online postgraduate school websites to have a venue for and encourage interaction between online students.

There are a lot of different online degrees available including associate degrees, bachelors, masters, and even doctorates in fields like health care/nursing, business and marketing, information technology, psychology, education, and even biology and electrical engineering. As long as you enroll in accredited online universities, there's no need to doubt the credibility of this kind of education. The syllabi, resource materials, exams, and sometimes even instructors are the same for both online and classroom courses. Employers are also generally confident that online graduates have skills as competitive as those who got their degrees the traditional way.

Once you've made up your mind to continue your studies through online education, the next step is to choose the right degree program and online school to enroll in. Keep the following in mind:

1. When choosing a field of study, you may want to consider what kind of career may be lucrative for you.

2. For colleges who are not purely online and have physical campuses, check if there's still a residency requirement or if you'll have to occasionally show up for exams, etc. Consider if you can work these in your schedule.

3. See if the credits you'll be getting from an online two-year college will be transferable just in case you'll have to continue with another college at some point.

4. Check if the college has resources like an online library and tutorial services. You may want to get more value out of your enrollment.

5. Beware online diploma mills, especially if what you're really after is education that can be of use in your future career.

6. Most importantly, check if the online university is accredited by the appropriate regional agency. Your diploma will be useless if not issued by an accredited online college.

About the Author:

Best Online University training is becoming more and more in demand. You can get a quality education through Online College Classes by simply attending classes via online web classes and digital home work. To find out more about the Online College Classes go to this website: http://www.onlinecollegestoday.org

Ten Tips for College & Graduate School Applicants

By Daniel Z. Kane

Thirty or forty years ago, it was not unusual for competitive colleges, universities and graduate schools to require all applicants to complete an interview with a staff member (or alumni volunteer).

Today, far fewer institutions mandate an interview, but a significant number do. And, although other institutions do not use the word "interview", they may evaluate applicants after meeting with them. In fact, at some institutions, even current students who come into contact with applicants may formally or informally record their opinions of them.

You would be well advised to assume that anything you say to an institutional representative may influence your admission decision. Here are ten ways to help yourself.

1. Never indicate that a college or university is a back up choice. Institutions are far more likely to admit a student who is expected to enroll if admitted.

2. Do not express doubt about wanting to continue your education.

3. Dress well for all meetings with institutional representatives. If you think dress does not matter, you are wrong.

4. Research the institutions to which you are applying. Never ask a question about a college or university which you could have found an answer to in a few minutes on the institution's website; it will make you appear lazy and/or not very interested.

5. Do not say anything to a student tour guide, discussion leader or interviewer you would not say to the Dean of Admissions.

6. Send personalized thank you notes to the key people you meet. Take the time to write a good note; not merely a cookie cutter one.

7. Feel free to bring immediate family members with you on campus visits. But, be sure they understand that they should not try to "sell" you or speak for you. There are few things admissions personnel or faculty find more objectionable.

8. Have at least one intelligent question prepared for each person with whom you meet.

9. Do not hard sell yourself. Humility and self-effacement are valued in the academic community.

10. If possible, visit and interview with representatives of the institutions you are least interested in first. A little practice can help your performance with those which interest you most.

Good interviewing is, more than anything else, applying common sense, active listening skills, and common courtesy. Good luck.

About the Author:

Daniel Z. Kane is a veteran educator who has worked as a school counselor and a university dean. He also contributes to websites designed to help adults select

Education Loan Consolidation Options

By Dennis Powell

So you've worked your tail off for the last several years eating Ramen and pulling all nighters while living on your student loans that almost covered the bills, and now you've got a great job, a new life and a mountain of debt. Life next pop quizWhat do you do? Fortunately for today's education Loan borrowers there are plenty of options to help you get your new life started without having the old one hanging around your neck like an anchor. There are plenty of student loan consolidation options available for the savvy borrower, and one of them will probably fit your life.

Most people start their borrowing with a Federal Family Education Loan or FFEL. FFELs cover both subsidized and unsubsidized loans, and an FFEL consolidation loan can wrap both of a borrower's federal loans into a single manageable package. FFEL consolidation programs offer extended repayment terms and fixed rates, and in some cases even those who have been in default in the past can qualify. If you have any federal education debt an FFEL consolidation loan should be the first place you look.

Private consolidation loans can package all of your non-federal loans into a single easy to make payment often with extended terms to lower the monthly bite even more (Though at the price of a higher overall cost.) Private and federal loans cannot generally be consolidated into the same package due to the variance in interest rates between them. Private loan interest rates are based on the borrower's credit rating so if your credit rating has improved since graduation - through a better job, etc. - they may be a good option.

Many parents use the PLUS loan program to borrow for the children's education. PLUS loans can be consolidated using a PLUS consolidation program much which offers similar benefits and potential pitfalls of FFEL and private consolidation - fixed rates, and lower payments spread over a longer term. Plus loan consolidations are great for some people but parents need to take a good look at all of their options before consolidating.

Even if none of the traditional consolidation methods work for your situation, there are still alternatives to help students get started on the right foot towards financial solvency. Some people take out second mortgages on their home and use the money to pay off all of their loans. ( An added benefit of this method is that you may be able to retain some of the tax benefits of regular consolidations) Private personal loans from family members can also help those with poor credit, and some companies offer tuition reimbursement programs which may help off set up to 100% of your education costs.

New technologies have come to the lending world where the idea of peer-to-peer programs and micro-financing has taken root. Peer to peer financing allows the borrower to present a request for funding to a group of potential "micro-investors" who then bid on the loan by offering different rates and terms. Once a deal is struck the network services the loan, ensures payments are made and the necessary paperwork is taken care of. For borrowers with needs outside the comfort zone of traditional banks a P2P loan may help them get started down the path to getting their loans paid off.

Making the transition from school life to your career is a road with more than its share of lessons and challenges. Having to make large student loan payments on an entry level salary while trying to save cash for a professional wardrobe, deposits on housing, and other "grown-up" essentials is enough to stop that progress dead in its tracks. There are many things to consider when applying for a consolidation, but knowing that you have options available can help make your transition manageable.

About the Author:

Consolidate your student loans to save time and money. Dennis Powell specializes in writing about federal government student loan consolidation.

Choosing Federal Student Loans

By Anne Ahira

Federal Student Loans are one of the most accepted methods in which persons just like you obtain cash to support their college education.

These are credits that are believed plus really work towards the educational improvement of the student. There are fundamentally two different types of Federal Student Loans that you might be interested in if you are trying to find fiscal support for the furthering of your schooling.

These include the "William D. Ford" as well as the "Federal Family Education Loan". If you are seeking a loan that you may actually stand the chance of getting, and one that is especially designed for you and your education endeavors, Federal Student Loans are a great option.

(IfWhileWhenAsWhilst you are appealed in Federal Student Loans, there are many different areas in your convergence in which you may obtain one. It is best to consult with the monetary aid section of your institution in order to acquire a recommendation to an establishment that recommends the variety of loan.

If you are seeking Federal Student Loans on your own, you may check at various types of banks and financial facilities. Many of these locations will advertise that they offer these loans. There are many wonderful things about this loan.

First, you will not have to disburse as a lot interest on the credit as other loans. As well to this, Federal Student Loans give you an additional time to purchase them back than standard credits.

About the Author:

About Author: FederalStudentLoan-s.com. There are many different types of loans out there that can fund your education. However, Federal Student Loans are among the most popular. Check out this article to learn more!

Life Skills Prepare Students For Overall Success

By Lauren Tyson

The road to self-discovery is treacherous; we can never know what we will encounter along the way. Is it safe to leave the beaten path to explore other avenues? Do you have everything you need to guide you past obstacles, pitfalls, and anything else that may delay your progress towards personal success? One can never predict these things at the beginning of the journey, but we can try to prepare as best we can.

Whether you are a determined parent trying to communicate with your discouraged teen, or a hard-working student attempting to juggle your academic, social, and personal time all at once, it is safe to say that we could all use as much help as we can get to maintain harmony. Time constraints, prior commitments, social appointments, and work-related stress can often overwhelm us and strip our attention away from things we deem personal priorities, particularly during times where focus and concentration are needed the most.

Kids and teens may feel this strain more acutely than adults, due to lack of life experience. At a time where social interactions are foremost in their minds, kids and teens need help balancing their priorities to stay content. SuperCamp, a leading academic summer camp, provides guidance and resources for students that assist them with maintaining harmony. Even if they seem able to accomplish that now, there is no telling what may happen in their futures. Equipping them with life skills can only help them as they encounter challenging situations further down the line.

SuperCamp provides the 8 Keys of Excellence as a solid foundation for any child or teen - a foundation which can be uniquely adapted to all aspects of life. Principles like Integrity, Speak with Good Purpose, Ownership, and Failure Leads To Success remind a student that they are personally responsible for creating a positive environment for themselves and others, while other principles like Flexibility, This Is It!, Commitment, and Balance keep them grounded and aware of the importance of setting priorities.

Teen programs and youth development programs typically focus on giving students the tools they need to tackle a future full of responsibility, but Supercamp gives students the support and guidance they need to make responsible choices best suited for their lives. Through "real-life" activities and a comfortable social environment, students will flourish in ways that will transcend their personal life and extend to their academic career.

Accumulating responsibilities won't bring fun and enjoyment to a screeching halt when students are able to effectively manage their time with the life skills they acquire at SuperCamp. Interactions with teachers, family, and friends can be stress-free when they have ceased to worry about social engagements conflicting with their academic career. The environment around them will remain positive, and that positivity may encourage others to follow their lead.

Forming lasting bonds with others at this point in their lives is crucial to kids and teens, but they also need a place to safely express themselves. Academic summer camps like SuperCamp provide that place as well as keep students focused on bigger goals like personal and academic success. No matter how they go about life, the life skills they acquire at SuperCamp will allow then to venture outside of their comfort zones and the break personal barriers preventing them from achieving their dreams.

Students will not only be able to guide themselves, but others down the road toward success. As leaders of their own lives, the lessons they learn along the way will only strengthen their resolve to overcome obstacles and forge ahead onto a new path of their own creation.

About the Author:

SuperCamp has promoted positive youth development through kids & teens summer camps for over 27 years. For more information, check out our free report, "10 Easy Ways to Study More Effectively," for a taste of the academic & life skills we offer at SuperCamp.

Vital Attributes of Leadership

By Ethan Beh

What are the characteristic of leadership? What does it take to be a good leader? No matter where you are in life right now, having leadership skills can be very useful in the various situations that you face. The benefits it brings in helping you handle tough situations are priceless.

What separates a good leader and a poor one is having the right characteristic of leadership and using effective leadership styles. There are plenty of attributes required to be a good leader. For this article, lets focus on the most vital ones.

1. Communication. It is very important for a leader to have good communication skills as he or she would not only be constantly communicating with the team, but also to external parties. In fact, communicating is one of the things that leaders do the most.

So what does it mean to be a good communicator? For starters it means saying what is required, not what is desired. Good leaders tell the truth like it is, without sugarcoating or fearing of hurting others' feelings.

Criticize when necessary, give credit where it is due, encourage when encouragement is needed and always listen to what your followers have to say. Being a good communicator means also being a good listener.

II. Decision Making. The second vital attribute of being a good leader is to be a good decision maker. A good decision maker must;

I. MAKE TIMELY DECISION - To make decisions within the required time frame and not spend too much time considering and analyzing each possible decision. 2. BE RESOLUTE - It means having the determination to stick long enough to a decision and not giving up halfway through. 3. BE FLEXIBLE - Be flexible enough to change prior decisions and directions when it is known the wrong decision has been made.

Sometimes it is not possible to have all the information to make a decision. Thus, often times instinctive judgment is needed. A good leader trusts his judgment and has the courage to use it. Courage to make decisions defines a good leader.

Developing these two attributes will bring you a long way towards becoming a great leader.

About the Author:

Author Ethan Beh is a business consultant and personal development enthusiast who has spent many years seeking, learning and practicing the best personal development techniques available. Check out his website for more resource which includes leadership attributes.

Speed Reading for the College Bound

By Jay Polmar, Ph.D.

Speed reading is designed especially for college students who read large volumes of printed material. Sometimes they get frustrated when they can't keep up with all the reading workload they must accomplish. Instructors and professors who are authors produce an endless stream of printed material, that even the most avid of students struggle to keep up.

With our Complete Speed Reading method, you'll easily be able to speed read twice to three times the amount you now read in the same time. And you will have enhanced memory, recall, concentration, and comprehension.

The human brain/mind is capable of comprehending and cataloging from 10,000 to 50,000 units of information every minute (one unit being equal to one word) and this is based upon old statistics.

Based on new technology in education and strides in self-development, your brain/mind is capable of speedreading much more. Speed reading is a great educational tool.

Whether you study online, or in live speed reading classes, or use software, audio or video, we are confident that your abilties to read better, read faster, and understand what you read will be improved.

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The best grades in college makes life easy. Get The best grades Complete Speed Reading , and Memory, Recall, Test-taking, Writing Papers, and more. The Complete Speed Reading Course Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

What types of Jobs can someone get after Studying Accounting?

By Amy Nutt

An accounting major seems pretty cut and dry; the course of study will prepare a person to handle all of the situations that they come across in a career in accounting. What may surprise some people is the fact that a degree in accounting can also prepare you for several other, even higher paying jobs than just preparing someones taxes.

Public Accountant

This is the job that people most often associate with a degree in accounting. A public accountant is usually self-employed and extraordinarily busy during the months of March and April, preparing the tax returns for individuals, couples, families and small businesses. The downside of public accounting is that it is very seasonal in nature; aside from the first quarter of the year the workload can be very lean so many public accountants have other another type of job to subsidize their income.

Private Accountants

Private accounting is a good gig, youll most likely have your own office and youll spend your time working on only the books from only one company. As the private accountant youll be in charge of organizing the books for the company so you have the opportunity to make your job easier by simply being more organized.

This is a full time type of position that often pays pretty well, but youll be responsible for more than your public accounting counterparts. The business that you are employed by will be expecting a lot from you " youll be filing the company returns, assuring that the books are kept up to date and in order, and youll be responsible for helping the company to avoid many financial pitfalls that can occur without the proper dedication to the position.

With the added pressure of the position will often come with added reward " as a full time employee rather than being self-employed, youll most likely be entitled to paid sick days, paid holidays, paid vacations and a host of other benefits.

Government Accountant

There are accountants at almost every level of government " township, city, county and federal. Government accountants work to oversee all allocations of funds and financial performance of wherever they happen to be in charge of. Usually the higher up in the chain of government, the more opportunities there are available for accountants. On the federal level accountants are needed for the IRS, the Department of Exchange, as well as in the Treasury.

Government positions often offer a good level of security, very competitive pay and an excellent benefits and retirement package. The level of competition for these positions can be very high because they are among the best jobs available in the accounting field.

Internal Audit

Internal Auditors can be responsible for implementing and conducting a corporations financial strategy. This could include elements of general accounting, conducting audits and involvement in purchasing and loss prevention. Members of an internal audit team, if they perform well, will often have the opportunity to move up into areas financial planning or even upper management.

Internal Audit may very well have the most room for growth and advancement of any of the different careers that can come from a degree in accounting, which also means that there is one of the highest earning potentials among positions available to those with accounting degrees.

Dont be fooled into thinking that an accounting degree can only lead to filing taxes for people in April; a degree in accounting can lead you to many secure and highly profitable positions in all different types of fields. The preparation youll receive from the accounting coursework can and will prepare you for types of jobs you may never have thought possible.

About the Author:

Halifax College has one of the most reputable paralegal schools that will expose the students to the most relevant aspects of a paralegal career. Offering Accounting, Continuing Care and Health Studies.

College Summer Programs Prepare High School Students for College

By Lauren Tyson

Students everywhere rejoice when summer finally arrives. Video games, social outings, and personal time can all be expected during the interim between school years. But for many high school seniors, summer marks the transition from high school graduate to college freshman.

What transforms a high school graduate into a college freshman? Other than the passage of a summer, not much differentiates the two. Though a high school graduate may be driven and goal-oriented as they take their first steps onto a college campus, they often do so still operating on an old set of conventions that no longer apply to their new environment.

Many students will enter their first crowded lecture-style college classroom and be shocked what they find there. Some will find it exciting to experience new learning styles. But many will struggle with the impersonality and discouraging lack of individual assistance that they have grown accustom to in high school classrooms. How are they ever supposed to study notes that they weren't able to take because they had trouble following the professor?

College summer programs specialize in giving high school students and even new college students a taste of what the high-stress environment can be like. Through "real-life" scenarios and activities designed to help them manage their time, college freshman can use the knowledge to find the path to college success. They will learn how to juggle challenging classes, increased amounts of homework, and studying with new social situations, academic career choices, and financial responsibilities.

SuperCamp offers a college success program called Quantum U that addresses all of these issues and more with a unique framework called the 8 Keys of Excellence. The overall message is simple: Success in all aspects of life depends on you. The 8 Keys consist of the following principles: Integrity, Failure Leads To Success, Speak With Good Purpose, This Is It!, Commitment, Ownership, Flexibility, and Balance. Personal responsibility will be their watchword under the inspiration of the 8 Keys.

An important concept that Quantum U stresses for college students is Everything Speaks. Whether they are at a social function or sitting down to write a paper, the way they present themselves is the way that the world will view them. Similarly, their environment can affect them significantly; picture a tidy, organized desk as opposed to cluttered chaos. These things will affect the way they approach school work, be it positively or negatively.

Independent studies show that of over 6,000 SuperCamp and Quantum U graduates, 73% reported improved grades, 68% increased motivation, 83% increased confidence, and 98% continued to used the high school and college skills they learned long after camp was over. These skills will give many students the boost they need to move forward in their academic careers.

College preparation can give students invaluable learning and life skills to help them succeed in college, professional, and personal lives. Megan Adams, a SuperCamp graduate of the Quantum U program had this to say about her experiences: "[Quantum U] was the most life changing experience of my life thus far and I have recommended it to all my friends and all my mom's friends for their kids. I don't really know that you can completely put into word the amazingness of it... the whole program should be a requirement at some point in all kids' lives." Every student should have the same opportunity to get a head start on college success.

About the Author:

See for yourself how SuperCamp can help your teen achieve college success this summer - request your free Quantum U college success program information or call 800-285-3276 to speak with a customer care specialist.

The Advantages of Earning a Degree Online

By Laura Greene

College students are no longer constrained by having to take classes on a college campus. Recent technological advances have created the opportunity to earn online college degrees, and tens of thousands of students are taking advantage of this option.

Many people are unable to pursue a traditional, campus-based college degree because of family commitments, demanding jobs, and/or other obligations. For them, online education is a great option, an option that allows them to achieve professional goals which otherwise might not be possible.

But, with online education, students can make academics fit their schedule. That means that anyone who is motivated to do so can find the time to earn a degree.

Another major benefit of taking classes online is that the time, trouble, and expenses of commuting are eliminated.

What about course scheduling conflicts? They do not exist for online students. And, online students are never "closed out" of a class because a classroom can not accommodate additional students.

Because online students can enroll in any courses they need, whenever they wish, they are frequently able to earn degrees much more quickly than their counterparts enrolled in campus-based degree programs. As a result, they have the potential to reach their professional career goals more quickly.

Discomfort with technology used to prevent some adults from earning online degrees, but those days are virtually gone. Because almost all jobs now require at least as much computer skill as are needed to take classes online, most adults now feel far more comfortable sitting at a computer than they do in a classroom.

With the increased use of webinars and discussion boards in online classes, the other concern some people had about online college programsabsence of interaction with faculty and classmateshas also nearly disappeared. No longer does online education mean that students are alone.

No responsible educator would suggest that students should not automatically rule out traditional, on-campus degree programs. In fact, for some, it is the best option. But, when most working adults weigh their educational choices, they will conclude that online education offers them the best chance to meet their educational goals without neglecting their professional and/or family responsibilities.

About the Author:

Laura Greene is an education columnist and freelance writer whose interests include online college degrees, adults returning to higher education, scholarships for adult students, and the advantages of online college attendance.

Choosing the Right Online University; What you Need to Know

By Daniel Kane

There are more online degree programs than ever before.

While that's a good thing, it can be difficult for students to narrow down the choices to those best meeting their needs.

But, it doesn't have to be so tough if you spend a little time thinking and putting together a list of questions. The first question should be to yourself. What are you looking for in an online degree program? As you develop answers to that question you will be well on your way to choosing an online degree program.

Below is a list of questions to which all students should get answers by reviewing college publications and websites and/or speaking with admissions representatives. You can and should add to them, depending on what you are looking for.

First and most important is accreditation. If an online college or university is not accredited by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education it should be eliminated from consideration immediately.

Next is the question of majors? Which colleges offer the major in which you are interested? How strong are their programs? Do they offer concentrations or specialties of interest to you? What are the backgrounds of faculty? All are questions worth asking.

Finances, of course, are important to most people. But, asking only about tuition does not result in a full picture. Be sure to find out about the availability of scholarships, student loans, grants and tuition installment options. All can play a role in making an institution affordable.

If you have done prior college coursework, or if you have experience for which you might be granted college credit, ask about colleges' credit transfer policies. Specifically, be sure you understand what you must do to determine which transfer credits you might receive and the number of such credits which might be applied to your degree. In addition, ask if you can be informed, in writing, which credits will be accepted before you enroll.

You also need to ask about student services. Start with financial aid counseling. Then find out if online tutoring is available. Will you be able to email professors if you have a question or problem? Will you be able to confer with classmates? Be sure to ask. And, find out about job placement and any other services important to you.

Spend some quiet time thinking about your educational and career goals. Add a few questions to those above. Then, start getting answers by reading and by speaking with admissions representatives. As your questions are answered it will be easier for you to eliminate some options and move others to the top of your list.

The necessary answers are easy to find once you first find the right questions. The good news is that you now have all the information you need to make a good college choice.

About the Author:

Daniel Kane has been assisting students for more than 25 years through his positions in higher education and more than a dozen educational websites on distance education and degrees and online college degrees.

Learning Speed Reading Techniques

By Dr. Jay Polmar

Did you know that you already have the greatest reading acceleration device ever discovered. It's simply --- your hand. And, people have spent thousands trying to increase their reading speed and incomprehensions. But, their is no machine every discover that will do more for you than learning to coordinate your pacing finger and using the 4 special techniques we'll teach you.

Did you know that your eyes jerk around, looking and searching, bouncing here and there while you are 'trying to read'. That can make reading a very trying experience. Your eyes tend to fixate for a moment or two and then move on again causing you wonder what's going on here. Does this sound like you?

We call this "trying" to read. By learning the speed-pacing movement that I?ll personally teach you, you'll learn to control and accelerate your hand-to-eye coordination. This is called PACING. It is one of the 4 techniques taught in Speed Reading in Only One Hour.

To ensure the best results for the material you are going to be reading you must make sure the conditions around you are right before you begin. Determine exactly what you need to be able to read properly; textbooks, research material, and a hi-lighter? Remove or unplug: - Magazines, unless being used as a part of what you are going to read. - TV (except for educational programs). Stereo, radio will cause varied distractions. Turn them off. - Brothers, sisters, friends, etc. are in the way when you are reading. - Mate, spouse, lover. They easily can dissuade you from reading. - Food can break your concentration and reading pattems. - Alcohol/drugs - don't even go there. Being stoned and studying is a sure fire failure. - Cigarettes fog your thinking abilities. Nicotine is a drug. - Marijuana - don't go there either. A foggy brain is useless in an exam. - Take the phone off the hook. Put out the dog or cat. - Create a quiet reading/study space. You might want music playing; use soft, classical, meditation oriental or other forms of relaxing music. Play it very softly. This sounds pretty extreme; however, modify it for pleasure reading, early morning newspapers, or magazines.

By organizing your study area, you've set the stage for a successul experience of study and learning. Using the tools that we'll provide you, you'll enjoy that you've found a great learning method to increase reading speed, comprehension, memory and recall.

About the Author:

Discover the self-taught course that helps collegestudents Study Straight A'sStudy Straight A's, and Learn to Study Great Grades Click here to get your own unique version of this article with free reprint rights.