2009 | Best Universities

How Congress Helped Create the Best Online Schools

Progress in education has always needed federal funding in order to flourish, and online education is no different from traditional schools. In 2006, Congress enacted a budget bill that allowed colleges to qualify for federal student aid which offered online education. Thus far, this has amounted to a dramatic shift from traditional to online classes and the best online schools are only in existence because of this new federal funding.

Over the past few years, more traditional colleges have expanded their programs to allow distance education students to take courses from home. This has since increased to full for-profit online schools that offer many different degree programs to their students. Federal funding has benefitted these programs drastically, as well-connected educators have relied on many Congressional Republicans who were sympathetic to their entrepreneurial ethic. Previously before this bill, restrictions existed for federal funding to online courses, putting a cap on the funds that traditional schools could receive if they offered online courses. As soon as Congress passed this bill promoting online education, online schools popped up around the country as they could now receive federal funding; furthermore, traditional schools began to offer more online classes.

The Bush administration lifted this restriction for online education as a way to reach out to nontraditional students who would otherwise be unable to earn a degree. This was one of the best solutions to the educational system that Congress could make, considering that in a few years a recession would hit the country, causing a heightened demand for higher-level education. Despite the mountainous debate that occurred in response to this bill regarding the quality of nonprofit traditional universities, the new online colleges proved their worth in only a few short months. After the bill passed, online education took off as some of the current best online schools, such as University of Phoenix, sought to prove their worth to Congressmen around the country.

The original 50 percent rule which restricted funds to online schools was only enacted in 1992 after investigations showed that some of the for-profit trade schools were little more than diploma mills which “harvested” federal student loans. After many of these myths were dispelled from the online community, the industry has grown tremendously, as many online schools currently enroll more students than traditional schools. With over 2,500 schools now offering federal student aid, students around the nation now have the opportunity to earn associates, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from the best online schools. Rural, military, and working students have been found to benefit the most from these changes in federal funding, as the nation has rushed to expand online higher education.

While debate still ranges over the underlying motives of online schools, the success accounts from students have told a different story.

100 Free and Useful Web Tools for Students Abroad

By Tara Miller

Studying abroad can be one of the best and most enlightening experiences you’ll have when you’re in college. You’ll get a chance to learn about another culture, see far away places and maybe even become fluent in the local language. While studying abroad can be fun, it can also be challenging if you aren’t prepared. Here are some tools to help you manage being away from home, including ways to keep in touch, make sure you can finance your trip and ensure you’re complying with all the legal issues involved in overseas travel.

Reference Sites

These sites can offer a range of resources to students abroad, from information on how to stay safe to places where you can talk with other students.

Transitions Abroad: No matter what you’re doing overseas, from working to going to college, this site offers resources, links, articles and advice.
Study Abroad Student Handbook: Learn how to choose the right program, maintain your health and safety while away and return to the states without any legal trouble from this great online handbook.
GoAbroad: Find information here on everything from rail travel abroad to how you can get a cell phone that will work in your host country.
IIEPassport: On this site you’ll get access to resources about places to travel, how to get health care, scholarships and more.
Study Abroad.com: This site will help you learn about all the study abroad programs out there, from high school to graduate college.
Study Abroad Directory: Visit this site to learn about the wide range of study abroad resources and a programs out there.
International Student: Learn about scholarships, engage with other students and learn about health concerns from this site.
NRCSA: Language center listings, test prep and loads of information on study abroad programs around the world on this site.
Study Overseas.comHere you’ll not only find program listings but a great selection of helpful online magazines as well. :
TransWorld Education: Visit this site to learn about insurance when you’re away, get tips and tricks, and read the study abroad webzine.

Government and Safety Tools

U.S. citizens can make sure they’re traveling safe and with all the proper documentation through these sites.

U.S. Department of State: From getting your student visa to finding out about safety conditions in your host country, you’ll find all the information you need here.
Emabassy.org: Curious where the U.S. embassy is in your host country? Find listings for all embassies around the world on this site.
Students.gov: Pay a visit to this site to read about government resources and programs for students abroad.
Center for Disease Control: Learn if you might be ask risk for certain diseases and health conditions through the bulletins and advisories on the CDC website.
International Driving Permits: Hoping to drive while you’re away? You’ll likely need a special license. Learn how to get one from this site.
U.S Customs: Make sure nothing you’re bringing back home with you will cause you trouble by reviewing the customs regulations ahead of time.
International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers: Here you can learn who and where to get medical help while you’re away.
GotoMyPC: If you’ve forgotten something at home or need to access your home PC, you can do so easily with a free trial of this program.

Keeping in Touch

Make sure your friends and family know you’re safe and what you’re up to with these free tools.

NetCafeGuide: Use this site as a resource to find out where an internet cafe is near you, so you can always be in touch.
Skype: This popular service is a great way to make free or cheap international calls to those you care about or just to chat online.
Rebtel: With this service you’ll get an alias number that will let you make dirt cheap international calls.
Nimbuzz: Check out Nimbuzz to learn how to make free calls and instant messages from your mobile phone from anywhere.
Fring: Download Fring to your mobile device and start enjoying free talk and chat.
Meebo: With Meebo, you can access your MSN, AIM, MySpace and Yahoo chat from one place.
Pidgin: From this service you can access virtually every instant messaging account out there, making it easy to chat with all your friend no matter what they use.
eBuddy: Check out eBuddy to access your chat services from your computer or mobile phone.
PostalRates: Want to send something home? This site will help you determine postal rates no matter where you are.
WengoPhone: Use this free softphone to keep in touch with everyone dear to you without spending a fortune.

Traveling Overseas

See all that your host country has to offer by using these resources to make travel easier no matter where you’re calling home.

Hostelworld: Though this site you can find cheap, quality hostels to stay in so you can enjoy seeing the sights while you’re away.
Hostels.com: Another hostel service, this site allows you to search for and book hostels just about anywhere.
SERVAS International: Through this program, you can get to know a country even better with travel plans that set you up with great local families.
Eurotrip: Make traveling through Europe much cheaper by reading up on discounts and deals on this site.
Hosteling International: The U.S. division of this organization can help you find reliable hostels around the world.
Routes International: Through this site you’ll find great airfares, hostel reservations and more.
STA Travel: Get discounted rates on all your travel needs from this student travel site.
Student Traveler: This site is geared towards the student studying abroad, and offers a range of information on travel planning and reservations.
Student Travel Resources: With ticket deals and information, this site makes it easier for students to enjoy travel on a budget.
Eurorail: For those studying abroad in Europe, this site makes it simple to purchase rail passes for extensive travel.

Travel Guides

These online guides can help you learn what sites can’t be missed and what parts you may want to avoid while you’re seeing your new city.

Lonely Planet: On this site you’ll find guides for destinations around the world, as well as a great online community where you can ask important questions and get answers.
Frommer’s: From deals to tips and tools, this site has a lot of travel advice to offer.
Fodor’s: Here you can find helpful forums, information on deals and even travel news updates that could affect your safety.
TripAdvisor: From booking a hotel or flight to getting advice on the best tours, this site is a great one-stop resource.
Let’s Go: Check out the free guides on this site to learn what to do and see in your neck of the woods.
Rough Guides: Travelers on a serious budget should check out this site to learn the best ways to see it all and save big.
WorldReviewer: Give this site a try to read reviews about places around the world and find out if you can get a great deal on a trip.
WikiTravelPress: Want a travel guide but don’t want to pay a fortune? This site allows you to print a guide for only the cost of paper and ink.
Virtual Tourist: Learn from the experiences of others what sites are worth visiting on this great travel community hub.
RealTravel: Want to know what real people though about a hostel or a landmark? You can find out on this site that organizes opinions from people all over to give you a better picture of where you’re going.

Fitting In and Having Fun

Check out these online tools to learn what’s going on where ever you’re staying so you can get out and learn more about the local culture.

Cultural Training Resource: Visit this site to learn how to prepare to live in another culture.
Zvents: No matter where you are in the world you can use Zvents to keep up-to-date on concerts, movies and more.
Time Out Worldwide: This popular guide goes global on this site, allowing you to find the best things to do anywhere.
Event Guide: Click anywhere in the world to learn what cool things there are to do from culture to clubbing.
Eventful: Here you’ll find listings of concerts, festivals and other community events.
Art Museums Worldwide: Learn where the best spots to indulge in culture are in your area from this site.
WorldWideArtResource: Find theatres, operas, literary readings and more through this directory.
World Heritage Center: Why not try to see some of the greatest sites in the world if you’re nearby? Here you can find a listing of UNESCO’s world heritage sites and how to visit each one.
FestivalFinder: In many communities, local festivals are a great way to learn about the culture, meet new people and get a real feel for life abroad. Find out about them from this site.
Google Maps: Make sure you don’t get lost no matter where you decide to live with this helpful mapping tool.

Documenting Your Stay

What would a semester abroad be without something to remember it by? These tools will help you organize and share pictures, writing and memories about your stay.

WordPress: Get a free blog from WordPress to record your thoughts and post pictures for your family and to act as your own record of your travels.
Twitter: Give little updates about what you’re doing each day through this microblogging tool.
Picasa: This Google program allows you to upload, store and share all your photos.
Flickr: While bigger accounts will cost you, this site is still a great way to share pictures with those back home and ensure they’re backed up just in case.
WhirlPad: Check out this site to start your own travel themed blog.
BlogAbroad: Join this blogging community to share your experiences overseas.
myfamily.com: Set up a family site and you can share your photos and thoughts with your family privately.
Scrapblog: With this site, you can create an only scrapbook of your experiences.
Scribd: Want to write a lengthy report about what you’ve experienced while away? This site lets you do so and allows you to publish it online so all can see.
Travelblog: Whether you’re traveling all over or just traveling to one place for an extended stay, this site offers a great blogging community.

Language Learning Tools

If you’re not already fluent, these tools will help you start learning the native tongue of your host country.

BBC Languages: Check out this free site to learn a little bit of Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Greek or a number of other languages.
iLoveLanguages: Want to find great resources to help you learn another language? Pay this site visit.
soZeity: This is a great resource for those who use Skype and also want to learn an other language.
iTunesU: You’ll find a large number of language lessons available for free through this educational iTunes offering.
OCW Finder: See if there are any open courseware offerings out there that can help you learn a language or about the culture of your host country with this tool.
LiveMocha: Learn to speak the language before or during your stay with this tool that puts you in touch with native speakers.
Language Learning Library: From French to Japanese, you’ll find a number of free resources on this site to help you learn the basics.
FreeLanguage.org: This site is home to loads of free language learning resources.

Language Translation and Reference

Prevent any misunderstandings and make your stay a little easier with these great resources for translating and looking up any words you might not know.

WordReference: Look up words in Spanish, French, German, Russian and Italian on this great reference site.
Google Translate: Google offers this simple tool for translating phrases or webpages.
BabelFish: Try out Yahoo’s version of translation on this site.
WorldLingo: This basic translator should meet most of your translating needs.
Translate2: This site offers a wide range of languages and translations to English with everything from Finnish to Hindi listed.
Reverso: Check out Reverso to get quick and simple translation services for several major world languages.
YourDictionary.com:Looking for a great online dictionary in a foreign language? This site can help with a comprehensive directory of dictionaries.

Financial Tools

These helpful tools will help you manage your budget while you’re away, find funding, and keep your finances in order no matter where you’re at.

Oanada: If you need to do some currency converting, check out this great online tool.
Xe: No matter what you’re converting you’ll be able to do so here.
Wesabe: With this tool you can keep track of your finances at home and try to stick to a budget in your host country.
Mint: With services that make it easy to track your accounts, this tool will let you always make sure you have enough to get by.
Study Abroad Loans: Visit this site to learn about where and how to get loans to pay for your studies.
Study Abroad Funding: Check out this resource to learn more about where you can get the money for foreign study.
NAFSA Financial Aid: There may be government programs out there that can help you get cut down your expenses while away. Check out this site to find out more.
Fynanz: Through this site you can get private loans to help you fund your education.
GreenNote: Tap your family and friends for small contributions to your study abroad fund with this site.

Social Networks and Online Communities

Visit these sites to chat with other students who have already or who are currently going through the experience of studying or traveling abroad.

Facebook: If you don’t already have a Facebook account, it may be a good idea to get one. You’ll be able to easily keep in touch with friends at home and with friends in your host country once you return.
MobiFriends: The main Mobissimo site offers great deals on travel, but the MobiFriends community lets you ensure you find the best things to do while you’re away.
Diversity Abroad Forum: Here you can read questions and posts about everything from keeping in touch with family to staying safe while away.
Study Abroad Forum: This site is a good resource for those who are studying in English-speaking countries.
BootsnAll: This travel site is a great place to find information about low cost travel in just about anywhere in the world.
International Student Forum: Learn more about other students’ experiences and share your own on this study abroad forum.
Student.com: Check out this social network that offers communication between students of all kinds.
TripSay: Find out more about your location and other places in your host country through this community.

How to Eat Healthy on Campus

You’ve probably heard or even experienced the infamous "freshman 15" — you know, those extra pounds that come with losing a regular exercise routine and eating an abundance of fatty foods. Many college students become content with their less-than-perfect bodies and never look back. They’re likely the ones who’ll remain forever stuck in their glory years of high school, wishing they looked and felt like they did when they were 17. Don’t be that guy or gal. Avoid the typical college diet that consists of too much pizza and beer, and work in some healthy food.

If you have a meal plan, focus on the fruits, steamed and raw veggies, salads (minus the copious amounts of dressing), and sandwiches (preferably turkey or tuna) served throughout the day instead of the greasy and fried foods. It’s common sense, obviously, but some campus cafeterias tend to do their part in encouraging poor eating habits by providing limited options. When venturing over to the grocery store, purchase snack items such as fresh or dried fruit, nuts, wheat crackers and unbuttered popcorn, and stock up on foods rich with calcium like low-fat yogurt. If you lack the willpower to completely cut out fast food, opt for not-so-unhealthy items like grilled chicken sandwiches and baked potatoes, and pass on the soda. And although it may be difficult, limit your beer consumption and offset those excess carbs by drinking plenty of water, preferably eight glasses per day.

Developing a consistent eating routine is also essential to maintaining your health. Always eat breakfast — you’ve probably heard about the studies that have indicated that a good breakfast results in better academic achievement. It also helps you control your appetite, meaning that you’ll have less of a tendency to experience cravings during the day. It should be the first of three solid meals per day that come close to meeting the suggested balanced diet.

There are a few good reasons to eat healthy while in college. A more attractive outward physical appearance will enhance your chances of finding a quality person of the opposite sex. You’ll have more energy to go to class, study, exercise, participate in various campus activities, and party. Good health also results in a clearer mind, which will come in handy during those all-too-important exam weeks. Sound appealing? A good diet can help you make the most of your college years.

To Transfer or Not to Transfer

Is the much anticipated "college experience" falling short of your expectations? Is your college failing to accommodate your academic needs? Do you miss home? If you’ve answered "yes" to any of these questions, the possibility of transferring schools may have entered your mind. Making such a move requires careful consideration because, quite frankly, a lot is at stake. You certainly don’t want to do something that you’ll regret down the road.

Before sending out your transcript to prospective colleges, take time to mull over the potential benefits and repercussions of leaving your current school and starting anew once again. If you plan to stay in the same program, seek out an advisor from your prospective school and get an idea of what’s required. Depending on how far along you are in your college career, your expected graduation date may be pushed back because of additional classes you’d need to take, and this is especially the case if you plan on changing your major. Consequently, you could end up paying more tuition in the long run.

Many students are also forced to transfer closer to home due to unexpected financial situations or family emergencies, which is understandable. But if you’re homesick and in your, say, first semester, then it’s best to wait it out and see if you can adapt to the new surroundings and expectations with time. Becoming more involved in campus activities can broaden your social circle and cause you to gain an appreciation for what your current college has to offer. Conversely, if you’re stuck at a school that offers little socially, such as a commuter school, then it’s smart to your explore prospective school firsthand by visiting its campus in order to get a feel for its atmosphere.

Of course, the quality of your education is of the utmost importance, and you may be looking to take a step up by transferring to a more prestigious school. But rankings and reputation don’t tell the entire story; the program in which you’re currently enrolled could be better than the program at the other school. It’s wise to undertake your own research by speaking with professors and recent graduates of your desired program. Have recent graduates found good jobs? Do employers respect graduates from the program? Ultimately, it’s on you to figure out if transferring would be truly beneficial to your current well-being and future success.

Why Attend a Top 10 School?

Attending one of the top 10 best online colleges seems like a obvious choice for any distance-learning student, but many students are still struggling over the curriculum and costs that come with attending a high-rated school. Rankings of distance-learning schools are different than traditional universities and colleges. These schools are typically ranked on their historical value and the worth of their diploma. A whole different slew of factors go into the rankings of online universities.

The top 10 best online universities typically comprise the schools that are the most cost-efficient while still retaining a worthwhile degree program and accreditation. Schools that are cost-efficient typically appeal the most to students who are currently working , have families, and simply cannot afford the high cost of attendance for most public and private traditional schools. Many online universities which are accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council have managed to keep their costs low, sometimes running only $6700 for a 30-hour degree program. Depending on what major you wish to attain from an online university, this may be a resourceful and economic way to save money (not to mention time).

Schools that feature and boast low costs are bound to be on top ten lists as they appeal to students around the country. Furthermore, these schools offer the same quality education as schools that charge 50% more in cost!

Additionally, the top online universities feature student-friendly programs; traditional schools do not need to worry about the hassle students must undergo to get in touch with a professor since they can simply go to their office hours. Online universities, on the other hand, require more devoted professors who will be able to answer questions thoroughly through e-mail or phone calls, readily available to help students who may have different lifestyles than traditional students.

Most online students have families and another career already, which makes it difficult to attend classes. The fact that these students are making the time to complete their education or attain an additional degree is motivation enough for most professors to devote higher amounts of time after normal business-day hours to work with their students. This caliber of professors helps boost rankings for many schools, since word-of-mouth by students is one of the best ways online schools are distinguished from each other.

Attending a top ranking school not only helps your future career, but helps you understand that school does not have to be about attending the cheapest institution solely to bring in a higher paycheck. You can find quality educational outlets that do not consume your savings and you can put these degrees to work within the career world. Furthermore, just because a school costs less than others does not mean it has any less substance in its curriculum. Attending one of the top 10 best universities will prove this to you and help establish that every other student who attended these schools had the same experiences you will.

100 Best Free iPhone Apps for College Students

By Tara Miller

College students today are swamped with social calendars, budgeting nightmares, job searching, party planning, sports, study abroad, food shopping, and of course, studying. On top of everything, students need to stay extremely organized if they want to keep up with classes and maintain a little sanity. Our list of 100 best free iPhone apps for college students can help you do it all, including reviewing for tests, storing your notes, sharing grocery lists with roommates, staying healthy, mixing drinks, getting a date and graduating on time.

Study Help

These language tutors, flash card packs, and art history resources will help you with last minute cramming and consistent vocabulary practice wherever you go.

Sparky: Sparky lets you browse SparkNotes easily on your iPhone.
Mathemagics Lite: Use this tool to figure out squares, complicated multiplication problems and more.
Free Spanish Tutor: This tutor features native speaker audio, puzzle games, multiple choice quizzes, and more.
USA Presidents: Review names, numbers, dates, political parties and other facts about the U.S. presidents when you have these virtual flash cards.
History: Maps of the World: Find detailed maps of Africa, Europe, Asia, the U.S., the Middle East and more.
Word of the Day Lite: Expand your vocabulary with this app.
Art Lite: Study the histories, works and significance of artists like Leonardo da Vinci, van Gogh, Cezanne and more.
Brain Tutor 3D: Anatomy and pre-med students can study the brain terms and more with this app.
planetFacts: Find out mass, diameter, orbiting speed and other information for the planets.
Free French Word of the Day: Practice your French with this app.
StudySets – Psychology Lite: Psych students will appreciate this bundle of psychology learning resources.
Vocabolistic: Look up words or hide the definition to quiz yourself with Vocabolistic.
Answers: powered by Yahoo! Answers: This app opens your iPhone to the Yahoo! Answers portal so that you can ask questions about anything.
Pocket Lawyer Lite: Law and political science students can use this real-life law reference as a study tool, too.
gFlash + Flashcards and Tests: Create your own flashcards and share them with study partners.

Staying Current

Keep up with the news stories that affect your time at school and relate to your classes.

NYTimes: Get your news from the New York Times online for free.
BBC Reader: Keep up with the top stories in Europe and globally with this app.
HuffingtonPost.com: Access the authoritative, but sometimes snarky, stories from the Huffington Post.
NPR Addict: Do your homework before class or talking with professors by getting your news from NPR.
Variety: Stay current on entertainment news with Variety’s app.

Classifieds

Look up apartments and more with these tools.

Apartments by ForRent.com: Look up apartments to rent in your college town here.
CraigSearch v1.0: Search Craigslist from your iPhone. Includes standard search options.
Apartments: Apartment guide’s app will help you locate properties in your area.

Shopping Deals

Save money when you find coupons and deals on books.

Yowza: This app uses GPS to find coupons for stores in your area.
Dial Zero: Get connected to customer service lines for credit cards, health insurance companies and more.
Book Bargain: Find deals on books from Amazon and other online stores.
Flashlight: Turn your iPhone into a flashlight that shines white, red, green or blue light.
Relax Alarm Clock Lite: Wake up on time to soothing guitar music, the sound of birds, bamboo flute music, and other options. This app also lulls you to sleep for a quick nap.
iHourglass Free: Time practices tests, study breaks and more with this tool.
TouchCloset: Keep your closet organized on your phone by cataloging photos and shopping lists and picking out your party clothes ahead of time even when you’re away from home.

Local Guides

Learn more about your college city or the town you’re visiting with these tools.

Pizza!: Find the closest, cheapest pizza near you.
Free Wi-Fi finder: Use this tool to find places you can bring your laptop to study.
FastFood – Top Restaurant Finder: This fast food directory will connect you to cheap, satisfying food quickly.
Have2P: Find nearby restrooms and flag businesses that do not have open restrooms.
Fandango: Find local movies and tickets here.
iRecycle: Find local recycling stations here.
WhosAround: Use WhosAround to find friends who are in the same area as you. Supports messaging, profile photos and more.
Local Concerts: Find out when and where your favorite bands are going to play with this free app.
Local Picks by TripAdvisor: USe this app when traveling or if you live in a popular vacation destination. You can look up restaurants, bars, and other spots that are favorites for the locals.
Slifter Local Shopping: Use this app to look up stores that carry whatever it is that you’re searching for.

Partying and Social

This list of free apps has everything you need to be the life of the party at college.

Drunk-Dial: Spin the dial on your app to get free drink recipes.
Who Called?: If a phone number doesn’t pop up when someone calls you, do a reverse lookup and find out what the caller wanted with you.
Love Poem Generator: Prove to your date that college guys can be romantic when you use this tool.
Birthday Notification: Rely on this tool to keep track of all of your college friends’ birthdays.
Drinking Games Free: Look up drinking games to play at your next party.
Spin the Coke: This version of Spin the Bottle involves a Coca-Cola bottle.
a.k.a. Your Favorite Name Generator: Come up with fake names for theme parties and more.
5800+ Drink and Cocktail Recipes Free: Never get bored with mixing drinks when you have this directory of cocktail recipes.
Beer Brands: Catalog your favorite beer brands and keep up with microbreweries and emerging brands.
Hello Vino – Wine Pairing Guide: Impress your guests by making appropriate wine and food pairings.
Perfect Date: This guide to the perfect date helps you with conversation and more.

Reference

Keep these reference tools close so that you’re prepared to discuss constellations, the periodic table, or world facts.

USA Factbook Free: This reference packet is great for anyone in a civics, history or political science course that covers the U.S. Access key documents, lists of the flags, state capitals and other stats.
Stars: Anatomy students can use this tool as a resource when studying constellations.
The Chemical Tough: Lite Edition: View the periodic table when you download this free app.
Formulas Free: This app brings you free calculus formulas.
iQuotations: Look up quotes to use in papers or just as general inspiration.
Math Ref Free: Get free reference packs for geometry, algebra, trig, derivatives and more.
AllTheCountries: Get facts about literacy rate, economy, population, area and more for every country.
Your Rights: Use this app for political science courses or just as backup when you get into trouble at school.
iTranslator: Study abroad students and panicked foreign language students can use this tool to connect to Google Translator, Babel Fish or Free Translation.
Quickpedia Lite: This app makes it easier and faster to use Wikipedia.

Games and Quizzes

Prepare for the GMAT or your next Xbox championship tournament here.

GMAT Practice Quiz: Use your iPhone to study for the GMAT when you use this tool.
Xbox Achievement Guide: Become the ultimate Xbox champion on your hall when you have this tool.

GPS

Find your way around town with these valuable GPS apps.

GasBag: Find the cheapest gas nearest your location.
Take Me Home, I’m Lost!: If you’re too new in town or just too confused, use this app to find your way back home.

Health and Fitness

In college, it’s easy to forget about your health. These free apps will help you eat right and find the time to exercise.

Restaurant Nutrition: Make healthier decisions even when your friends want to eat out.
Stress Reducer: Listen to the ocean through a virtual shell to relieve stress.
Am I Pregnant Quiz: This pregnancy quiz is currently free and could save your sanity.
Natural Cures: Try these natural cures if you’re too broke to go to the doctor.
iMapMyRun: Track your runs, including pace, location, speed and overall progress.
Sleep Diary: This app helps you get back on a normal, healthy sleep schedule.

Organization

Stay organize with these tools, which help you manage task lists, homework, shopping, errands and more.

myHomework: View your homework lists, project task sheet, test schedule and more with this organizer.
Blackboard Learn<: Access your school’s Blackboard system from your iPhone with this app.
Evernote: Take picture, text and audio notes that are searchable with Evernote.
AppGmail: Quickly access your Gmail account and view it as a wider display with this app.
ShopShop: Keep a running shopping list that tracks your purchases and marks them off.
Smart ToDo: Manage a to-do list with notes and due dates with this app.
To Do’s: This app lets you customize your to-do list according to priority level, ordering and more.
A Personal Assistant: This free organizes your accounts, including online shopping, banking, Netflix and more. It also tracks cell phone minutes, frequent flyer miles, travel itineraries and more.
Organizer Lite: View several organizers in a single, streamlined display with this app. You can manage a calendar, birthdays, appointments, contacts and more.
mySticky Lite: This iPhone version of Mac’s sticky notes let you tack reminders and lists over a virtual bulletin board.

Search

Let your iPhone guide you in general searches, job hunts and more.

Inquisitor: This super fast search tool also makes suggestions for your searches.
Last.fm: Search music, artists and more with Last.fm for the iPhone.
Repairpal: This app will help you find auto repair shop and support.
Job Search: Indeed.com’s search application lets you find jobs by location and job description.

Miscellaneous

This list of free iPhone apps includes laundry guides, an ebook library, recipe guides and plenty more tools to make your life at college more exciting and organized.

MyGPA Calculator: Calculate your GPA per semester and cumulatively.
BookShelfLT: Check out ebooks for your iPhone.
Salsa: Practice for your ballroom dance class or for a night out.
Laundry Pro Free: Look up North American and European laundry symbols and figure out how to care for your different garments.
wikiHow: How to and DIY Survival Kit: Survive anything, including a hotel fire, long fall and nuclear attack, when you download this pack.
Guitar Tuner: Use Guitar Tuner to tweak your guitar and get ready for gigs on campus.
Intelliremote: Control your home theater that runs Windows with your iPhone.
Free Driver’s Ed: Students practicing for the driving test can review topics and questions here.
F-MyLife: This popular tool lets you commiserate with others who’ve had a bad day on F-MyLife.
Allrecipes.com Dinner Spinner: Get ideas for cheap, healthy and/or comfort food meals.
Hairstyle Lite: Instead of paying for an expensive visit to the salon, try out a new hairstyle by using this free app.
iWrecked – Auto Accident Assistant: Log details from your car accident, call for help, take photos of the accident, and more.
College Football Live!: Keep up with all the stats, scores and more for college football.

Unusual Washing in College

It’s great to own nice clothes made from high quality fabrics and laces, but when it comes to keeping those items cleaned it can become a real hassle. That’s because these types of clothes will say things like "hand-wash only," "dry-clean only" and "hang or line dry only"—and no, those options aren’t available on a washing machine. Instead of wearing those fancy pieces once and then leaving them at the bottom of the hamper because they seem too complicated to clean, learn how to properly deal with these "special care" clothing items.

If your article of clothing says "dry clean" only it’s usually best to take a trip to the dry cleaner (especially with suits). Not only will the dry cleaners get it smelling fresh again but they will also press it. But if you down right refuse to pay $4.00 to get a professional to do it, you can always invest in a Dryel kit. Dryel provides a variety of easy to use at home dry-cleaning products. All you have to do is follow the directions on the box and voilà.

When it comes to hand washing it can get pretty tedious. But the important thing to remember is to use the right kind of washing detergent. If you use the kind that you use for the machine it will leave a strong, pungy smell in the clothes. So instead invest in some Woolite or some other detergent that promises to be ideal for hand-washed clothes. To clean your clothes, all you have to do is pour a cap full of detergent into the sink or a small tub and let it fill up with cool water to create soap suds ( almost like you were prepping for a bubble bath). Let your clothes soak in the water for a few minutes and then start working all the main areas (underarms, collar, etc). Ring your clothes of the excess moisture but not too ferociously. The reason these clothes are hand-wash only is because they are delicate and you don’t want it losing its shape. If you have absolutely no time to hand wash, then you can try putting the clothes on the delicate cycle of the washing machine. But be warned that your clothes can be damaged.

For clothes that say "hang dry" or "flat dry" only can be pretty complicated if you live in a dorm but it is possible. Try investing in some hooks or a towel rack that you can hang on the door or lie on the floor. Just make sure you place a towel underneath the articles of clothing because they will drip water.

How to Rent Your First Apartment

Whether you’re graduating, or just ready to go out on your own, at some point, you’ll probably need to rent your first apartment. You may be a little bit intimidated, but it’s not difficult to do. Here are a few important tips to keep in mind when renting your first apartment.

Consider what’s right for you. The two most important considerations when it comes to an apartment are price and location. How much apartment can you comfortably afford? It should be about 25% of your income, and you’ll need to keep debt, living expenses, and more in mind. It’s also important to determine the area in which you’ll look for your apartment, as it should be convenient to where you work, study, and spend the most time away from home.

Do you want a roommate? With a roommate, you’ll be able to split most expenses and afford a larger apartment. A roommate will also offer companionship. However, you may find it difficult to share a space and living resources with someone else, so keep this in mind.

Find a few apartments to look at. Do your research online to find apartments that meet your criteria for rent and location. You should try to limit your final selections to 5-10 different apartments. Any more, and they may start to all blend in together.

When visiting the apartments, don’t just look through them without careful assessment. Take photos of the inside and outside so you’ll better remember them. Use the provided handouts to make notes for yourself to reference later. Don’t feel pressured to decide right away.

Take time to choose the right apartment. The apartment that jumps out at you first may not be the right one once you’ve had some time to think it over. Make sure that you’re going to be happy with your choice before going back to pay your deposit and sign on the dotted line.

Read and fill out your application carefully, and find out if you’ll need a cosigner to get approved. Make sure that you have your deposit funds ready to go, and determine which day you’ll want to move in on.

By following these important tips, you’ll be well prepared to rent your first apartment. Take all of the important factors into consideration to choose the apartment that’s perfect for you.

The Rules of College Texting and Dating

It’s no surprise that college students love to text rather than make a phone call—it’s fast, convenient and not to mention it’s perfect for those who happen to be on the shyer side. But how you text and what you text can be pretty complicated when it comes to dating. The first thing you need to understand is that texting should be a supplement to communication—it should not replace it. With that said continue reading below to learn the proper rules of texting and dating.

The most important thing that needs to be learned is that by no circumstances should someone ask for a first date via text (or Facebook or Twitter for that matter). It’s impersonal and takes little effort to send a measly text. It’s understandable that it might appear easier to send a text (especially if you’re not the best at approaching the opposite sex), but also remember that it’s also easier for someone to reject you and send you an instant "no" via text as well. When you do the asking in person, it seems more sincere and you are less likely to be shot down.

But it is ok (and highly recommended) to send your date a short text if you are running late. It doesn’t matter if you are meeting your date for a cup of coffee on campus or you’re supposed to pick them up at their apartment, it’s only courteous to let them know if something is not going according to plan. On a similar note, if you are supposed to pick up your date, do not text them that you are outside. Please knock on their front door, or at least call. And do not text (your Facebook or Tweet) during your date. It’s rude.

But it is a good idea to send your date a text expressing what a good time you had. But do not ask for a follow up date via text. These sorts of matters should also be handled in person (or like stated before, at least over the phone). Naturally there will be times when you want to make sure that your date knows that you’re still alive. But instead of sending a simple "hey" (which research shows most people find to be annoying) make the text message relevant to the time you spent together. For example, you can say "I just heard a woman laugh like the waitress at the pizza parlor we went to but she had a Swedish accent." It’s light, somewhat funny and most importantly is a memento from the date.

Finally if after a few weeks and you are still unsure where the relationship is going, do not confess your feelings via text or demand that your date do so as well. On the same note, do not drunk text. And do not try to participate in arguments through text. Half the time most arguments (and breakups) develop because of miscommunication and the inability to hear someone’s tone. So a simple "we’ll talk about this when I see you" will probably save you from having to apologize or explaining yourself.

100 All-Time Best Productivity Tips for Working & Learning from Home

By Nicole White

If you’re working or studying at home, you know that the dream of having a home office can quickly turn into a nightmare of distraction and an unhealthy work-life balance if you don’t keep your productivity under control. By following some of these simple tips, you can help ensure that your home office is a productive one. Read on, and you’ll learn 100 of the best tips for getting things done at home, whether you’re working or learning.

Office space

Keep these tips in mind when settling into your office or learning space at home.

Set aside a space: Create a designated space, preferably a room to be your workspace.
Physically separate yourself: Train your mind to set yourself apart from your home life when working: close your door, and separate yourself from the rest of the house.
Invest in a good chair: Get a mesh backed or leather chair to support your back.
Pick a quiet spot: It’s obvious, but important. Set your home office up in an area that will be away from the distractions of home.
Highlight your accomplishments: Surround yourself with the things you’ve done — diplomas, important photographs, and other reminders of your success.
Create a bright and cheerful environment: Make your home office cheerful to avoid stress and stay happy throughout the day.
Use a laptop: With a laptop, you have the freedom to work anywhere you’d like to.
Have a separate computer: Use a separate computer for work and leisure.
Get out: Go to a coffee shop, the beach, anywhere you can get good work done for a change of pace.
Put plants in your office: Soak up stagnant air by keeping plants in your office.
Use caller ID: See who is calling and avoid answering for telemarketers or others who will waste your time.
Keep a dry erase board: Use a dry erase board to keep your tasks and reminders in easy view.
Keep things clean: A tidy desk will help control stress and keep you more productive.
Consider a standing desk: With a standing desk, you can stay more alert and active in your work day.
Stay away from your couch: Sit at a desk rather than working from your couch or bed.
Set boundaries: Make sure that those in your home know when you’re working and that you’re not to be bothered.
Clear your desk of nonessentials: Put away everything you don’t really need.
Get a great coffee maker: Many people love using coffee to boost productivity, so invest in a high quality coffee maker.
Use noise canceling headphones: Keep noise and distraction out by using headphones that keep things quiet.
Use a separate phone: With a separate phone line, you can keep personal calls to a minimum during your working hours.

Habits

Practice these good habits to stay productive and happy in your home office.

Get dressed: Every day, bathe and make yourself presentable enough for a surprise visitor or trip out of your home so you’ll be ready for anything.
Stay logged out: Avoid logging into IM, social media sites, and other distractions.
Carefully separate work and personal life: Don’t get sucked into working around the clock when you’re at home.
Create rituals: Give yourself a daily signal that it’s time to start working.
Eat first: Don’t fall victim to low blood sugar — eat before you start working.
Get ready for the day: Practice good grooming — change out of your pajamas, have a shower, and breakfast before you get down to work.
Commit to tasks: Don’t let yourself slack off if you’re having a rough day, or you may find that you just can’t get anything done.
Give yourself a weekly review: Every week, take time to think about what you’ve gotten done.
Use distraction reducing tools: Make use of tools that will clear your digital desktop of everything that’s not important.
Turn your phone off: Turn off your phone when you need to minimize distractions.
Simplify everything: Focus only on what really matters.

Time management

Use these tips to stay on top of deadlines and coursework.

Set time boundaries for online use: Limit your online use by setting specific times when you’ll be available to chat and check websites.
Keep regular hours: Carefully schedule which hours you’ll work, and which hours are personal time.
Work when you’re most productive: If you’re most productive around 1AM, schedule your most important work for that time.
Give yourself limits: Always have a finish line for when you have to stop working.
Do important tasks early: Take care of important tasks before you get hit by the lunchtime slump.
Take sprints: When your timer is ticking, focus and work in a sprinting mode.
Schedule fun time: Take time to do the things you enjoy on a set schedule.
Unplug and work on battery power: Create a sense of urgency to get things done by working on battery power, where time is limited.
Use timers: Give yourself short times to do a frenzy of work by setting a timer.
Group your errands: Keep your out-of-office time to a minimum by doing as many errands as you can at one time.
Keep emails short and sweet: Master the art of the five-sentence email.
Just do it: Practice willpower and keep yourself on track to just getting things done.
Be a good boss to yourself: Don’t let yourself become a slacker, but don’t make yourself a slave to work either.
Give yourself deadlines: Make yourself accountable by setting hard deadlines for getting things done.
Check email on a schedule: Check email just twice a day to keep it from taking over your online life.
Get up early: If you start working at noon, you’ll feel cheated and sluggish when 5:00 comes around and you want to stop working.
Use short bursts of productivity: Give yourself just a small time of focused work activity to get things done.
Ignore distractions: Stay away from your inbox, Twitter, TV, and other things that demand your time.
Track your time: Use a time tracking tool to stay on top of what you’re getting done and when you’re doing it.
Take breaks: Don’t let yourself get sucked into work. Remember to refresh yourself with breaks every hour or so.

Organization

Follow these tips to help your organization breed productivity.

Keep lists: Keep lists that detail daily tasks, hopeful tasks, and anytime tasks.
Write things down: Write everything down right as you think of it.
Keep a calendar: Stay on top of what you’re going to do and when you’re going to do it.
Get your to-do list out of your email: Stay organized by keeping all of your tasks in one place.
Create a tickler system: Use a tickler system to make sure you stay on top of important tasks and events coming up.
Designate days for tasks: Do certain things on specific days to stay on track.
Carefully process tasks and information: Have a place for items in your notes and inboxes.
Keep notes handy: You never know when inspiration will strike, so keep a notepad at the ready.
Keep files: Minimize clutter by creating simple files you’ll actually use.

Happiness

A happy work environment is a productive one, so follow these tips to make sure you’re happy with your work at home.

Go out for lunch every once in a while: Even if you mostly eat at home for lunch, it’s good to get out and visit with a friend or colleague occasionally.
Remember what it’s like to work in an office: Be grateful that you get to work at home!
Listen to music: Keep your creativity flowing with upbeat music throughout the day.
Stop working: When your work is done, leave it and don’t come back until the next day. Make notes for yourself if you need to remember something.
Work in a group: Study or work with a group of people to support each other.
Just say no: If you don’t have the time or resources to do a task, just don’t do it.
Get out and enjoy the weather: Take advantage of your flexible schedule and carve out some time to enjoy the weather or special events that you otherwise wouldn’t get if you were working in an office.
Do what you love: Do what you love, and you won’t mind working.
Reward yourself: When you’ve finished an important task, reward yourself with something quick but enjoyable, like a walk around the block or a check on social media sites.
Watch TV: Take advantage of the fact that you can work when you choose, and do what you like at certain times during the day.
Develop relationships: Nurture connections and network.
Make time for others: Respond to emails, and keep in touch with people.
Remember to be grateful: Say thank you to your clients, coworkers, employers, and other people you may work with regularly.

Workflow

Follow these workflow tips to keep everything running smoothly.

Outsource: Whenever possible, get someone else to do work for you, like a bookkeeper or delivery service.
Stop multitasking: Multitasking is inefficient — focus on one thing at a time.
Do your hardest work first: Tackle the work that you’d most like to put off early on, so you won’t be dreading it all day.
Set priorities: Keep in mind the tasks that are most important in order to prioritize your day.
Take small steps: Don’t try to tackle a huge task all at once: break it down into small, manageable tasks.
Make your online life simpler: Reduce the amount of time you spend online by simplifying.
Learn to let go: You don’t have to be a perfectionist — just get things done.
Make it easy to get started: Give yourself a small way to start up a task.
Eliminate unnecessary tasks: Just say no to things you don’t really need to do.
Use technology: Fully utilize web meetings, email, and voicemail to communicate effectively.
Give yourself daily goals: Have specific goals in mind for every work day.
Create an action plan every evening: Before you stop working every day, plan out what you’re going to do the next day.

Parents

Working or studying from home is a special challenge to parents of young children. Follow these tips to stay productive.

Hire a babysitter: Consider child care, even if it’s just for limited hours.
Make naptime work time: Use your child’s nap times to get work done.
Keep your children occupied: Set up an area for your child to play with lots of toys, or even a mini office for them to imitate you working.
Take turns: If you and your spouse both work or study at home, switch off times when one works while the other watches over children.
Work late at night: If your schedule can handle it, get your work done when the house is asleep.
Manage your interruptions: If your baby starts crying, instead of immediately running to tend to it, take a few seconds to write down the task you were on or the thought you were forming, so you can get right back on track.

Health

Follow these tips to keep yourself healthy and productive while working or learning at home.

Stay active: Make sure you take time to be active throughout the day, whether it’s a morning walk with your dog, or a trip to the gym.
Give your eyes a break: About ten minutes of every hour, your eyes need to be away from your computer.
Keep water at your desk: Stay hydrated and healthy by always keeping water to drink at your desk.
Fidget: Don’t stay perfectly still when working at your desk.
Stretch: Sitting at your desk all day or all night can take a toll on your body, so be sure to get up and stretch every now and then.
Eat a full lunch: Don’t just snack throughout the day; take the time to sit down and have a healthy lunch.
Stand up for phone calls: Whenever you get a phone call, get up and walk around the house.
Take a micronap: Doze off for a few minutes and wake up refreshed, ready to tackle your work.
Be careful not to munch all day: Avoid eating all day while you’re distracted with work: stop to eat instead of multitasking.