Learning Tools | Best Universities

Going Abroad

Visiting another country can always be a great experience. Seeing a new culture and lifestyle right before your eyes can be very enlightening. Going abroad allows you the opportunity to see the different ways of life outside the United States. It is diverse cultures that can help you see things from a different perspective.

When you travel outside your own country, you are able to see how your home land is viewed in the eyes of others. Going abroad can broaden your mind, and teaches you that there is more than just one way to live and grow as a society. This new information gives you more choices in your own life, providing you with the opportunity to make a change for the better.

Travelling with classmates through a school program can be even more beneficial than if you were to go on an adventure alone. Colleges and universities have access to more exotic and fascinating venues through their connections. There are places a lone back-packer cannot venture to alone. Schools provide translators, making communication with natives more clear and concise. Going abroad with friends and other students allows you to discuss your thoughts on every experience with people who are going through the same thing. They will understand where you are coming from as opposed to someone back home who may not be as knowledgeable on the country you were in.

Being able to see something in a textbook and feeling it with your hands are very different. You can read books and books on China or Spain, but until you visit these countries, you will never possess your own personal views and opinions. Not everyone sees things in the same light. Every country has its own personality and lifestyle, and it is all just waiting to be explored.

As travelling can be expensive, it is important to first research a land you may have an immense amount of interest in. Maybe this is a country you never even thought of before. Look at climate, culture, population, wealth, safety, and other characteristics when considering your destination. However no matter where your travels may take you, it is always important to view things with an open mind. Be willing to try new things and take full advantage of your allocated time abroad. Check out your school’s information on going abroad to see what programs are being offered.

Food for thought: Ingredients that can Help Boost Brainpower

It is well now that consuming certain foods is vital for fighting off illness and remaining healthy. But did you know that there are also foods that aid in brain power? To learn what foods can get your mind cranking so you can ace that next exam continue reading below.

If you are a seafood lover, you might consume this ingredient on a regular basis anyhow. Research shows that foods high in omega 3 fatty acids (like salmon) work wonders on the brain. This is because experts have found that omega 3 fatty acids are directly associated with the development and functioning of your brain. Most experts suggest eating 2 to 4 ounces of salmon per week. So whip out a can or pouch of salmon and some crackers the next time you’re out of ideas for lunch.

One of the easiest brain boosting ingredients you can eat is the incredible edible egg. Not only is it filled with tons of protein but it is also infused with those healthy omega- 3 fatty acids and B vitamins. Similar to omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins are supposed to aid in the creation of new brain cells. Experts suggest eating about 4 eggs per week. So scramble or fry an egg for breakfast or boil one up for a light lunch.

If you’re looking for something to munch on in-between meals or during class, eat a few almonds. Like most of the ingredients mentioned, almonds are high in omega-3 fatty acids, but they also have a large amount of antioxidants. Antioxidants are a life saver because they promote health by actively working to remove substances that can be harmful to our brain. Experts suggest eating about 1 ounce every other day. So pack a few in your lunch kit for a great snack.

If you aren’t a fan of nuts but enjoy eating a lot of berries like cranberries, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries, then stock up because these low-cal snacks are loaded with antioxidants . Not only will they help with brain development but can also help flush our harmful substances that can cause illnesses and diseases. Experts suggest eating one cup of berries about two to three time a week. So if you’re allergic to almonds or just to like the taste, choose some tart and juicy berries instead. You can eat them plain or add them in a salad to give it some color.

Top 50 Sci-Fi Novels for Kids & Young Adults

By Donna Reish

Considering the fertility of most kids' and young adults' imaginations, the science-fiction and fantasy genres seem a natural fit for many readers. Parents and teachers hoping to encourage them to pick up a book and expand their minds may want to skim over this list — compiled from recommendations by public libraries and ardent fans of sci-fi — for something appealing. Be sure to click on the links for more information about appropriate age ranges, especially for some of the more mature classics.

Classics

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle: This whip-smart novel introduced many children to the concepts behind tesseracts, time travel and many other real scientific concepts applied to a purely speculative setting.
Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell: Perfect for high school students curious about the tenets of dystopian literature, with more emphasis on philosophy than technology.
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury: Several interlocking stories spanning a wide time frame question what life might be like if human colonized Mars.
The Ender's Game Series by Orson Scott Card: The brilliant eponymous character must lead humanity into battle against alien assaults in this multiple award-winning classic sci-fi series.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Series by Douglas Adams: More appropriate for high school readers, the incomparable Hitchhiker's Guide books soar through the universe with some truly unique characters and gut-busting humor.
The Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov: Like Ray Bradbury, pretty much all of Isaac Asimov's sci-fi writings would appeal to young adults (kids probably not so much), but the Foundation novels remain some of his most influential.
The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson: Teenage girls who enjoy strong female protagonists, dystopias and the tenets of cyberpunk seriously need to pick up one of the most essential Neal Stephenson novels.
2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clark: Yet another writer whose entire oeuvre probably deserves inclusion here, the story of mysterious monoliths, the eerie HAL 9000 and the humans they impact for good or for ill.
The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells: The Time Machine and The Island of Dr. Moreau could easily work on this list as well, but H.G. Wells' infamous tale of an alien invasion is probably one of his most recognized and adapted works — making it a nice place to start when diving into his works.
The Giver by Lois Lowry: A classic dystopian novel, The Giver is an excellent read for kids who feel a bit out of step with their surroundings.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne: Many of Jules Verne's beloved writings traipse the line between science fiction and fantasy, but this imaginative classic tips mostly towards the former.
Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut: The debut novel by one of America's most beloved authors makes for a very nice introduction to dystopian science-fiction. As one can probably imagine, it's mainly suited for older high school students.
Solaris by Stanislaw Lem: Older young adults hoping to see technological wonders peppered with plenty of provocative philosophy would do well to explore Stanislaw Lem's masterpiece.
Neuromancer by William Gibson: If cyberpunk seems appealing, readers can do no better than to pick up one of the defining novels of the science-fiction subgenre.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: Abject horror and abused science converge in one of the most beloved English-language novels ever committed to print.
The Dune Chronicles by Frank Herbert: One exceptional spice sits at the center of an interstellar conflict wrought with intrigue and adventure, granting great esteem and power to all who consume it.
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton: High school students can wax nostalgic over the "dinosaur phase" that nearly every child experiences by exploring a wondrous, dangerous destination from the safety of a book.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick: Follow a day in the life of bounty hunter Rick Deckard as he tracks and shuts down some ridiculously human robots.
The Ringworld Series by Larry Niven: Aliens, insanely advanced technologies and imaginative adventures launched the Ringworld books to international acclaim and solidifying its place amongst the best science fiction literature.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes: This tear-jerker began life as a short story before expanding upon the tale of a mentally handicapped man undergoing a revolutionary procedure to improve his intelligence.
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin: Explore some fantastic new worlds through a philosophical lens, courtesy of Ursula K. Le Guin's heavily influential novel.
A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs: One of the most masterful English-language adventure writers places protagonist John Carter in a daring, life-threatening quest to save the eponymous royal woman.
Flatland by Edwin Abbot: Especially appropriate for high school students with a particular fondness for math and literary criticism, Flatland ruthlessly satirizes Victorian society using a very unique cast of characters.
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein: Raised by Martians, the human Valentine Michael Smith experiences culture shock when interacting with Earth culture — which ends up sealing his eventual fate.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley: Another quintessential dystopia, depicting a severely numb, sterile world without any real emotions, sensations or individuality.

Possible Future Classics

Alien Secrets by Annette Curtis Klause: A young girl befriends a frightened alien frantically searching for a lost artifact in a memorable, acclaimed science-fiction mystery.
Aliens Don't Wear Braces by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones: The Bailey School Kids suspect their eccentric new art teacher with white hair and braces may hail from another planet. In quite a literal sense.
Whales on Stilts by M.T. Anderson: When sinister cetaceans plot to conquer humanity with their laser eyes and sky-high stilts, three plucky kids have to put an end to the shenanigans in this absolutely hilarious postmodern tale.
The Animorphs Series by K.A. Applegate: In order to stave off a dire invasion by mind-controlling aliens, a small throng of friends have to transform into different Earth animals using some decidedly un-Earthly means.
Jumper by Steven Gould: Young David Rice possesses a strange teleportation power and cannot place its origins. Unfortunately for him, its initial benefits start giving way to more nasty bits.
The Uglies Series by Scott Westerfield: Arbitrary beauty memes come to their logical and tragic conclusion, forcing people into staunch conformity. At least until Tally Youngblood comes along with a few challenges of her own.
The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer: Societies full of clones and humans with chips overriding their intelligence raise some intense, yet age-appropriate, questions regarding the nature of existence and free will.
Singing the Dogstar Blues by Alison Goodman: Joss Aaronson's new alien roommate Mavkel takes her on a strange and beautiful journey through time and space, with plenty of adventure and humor to spare.
Turnabout by Margaret Peterson Haddix: Two elderly women undergo a dangerous and controversial procedure to age themselves backwards, but the expected unintended consequences start filtering in one by one.
The Norby Chronicles by Janet and Isaac Asimov: The affable, scatterbrained robot from the title has to pair up with one of his human students in order to thwart a possible universal takeover.
The White Fox Chronicles by Gary Paulsen: 14-year-old prison camp escapee Cody Pierce must go back and free his peers from the machinations of the Confederation of Consolidated Republics.
Enchantress from the Stars by Sylvia Engdahl: Part fantasy, part science-fiction, this novel for young adult readers places a young woman in the center of an interplanetary conflict between technology and magic.
The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick: Set in a postapocalyptic future, a throng of kids struggle to survive as society divides itself along genetic lines.
Aliens for Breakfast by Jonathan Etra and Stephanie Spinner: When a tiny alien pops out of his morning cereal, a young boy finds his day entirely hijacked by stopping an impending invasion.
The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer: The titular individuals attempt to rid the world of the invisible Parasite race, but as the narrative unfolds they begin questioning exactly what the little blue creatures do for humanity.
The Commander Toad Series by Jane Yolen: Follow the courageous Commander Toad and the crew of the good space ship Star Warts on their fun, fantastic voyages across the universe.
The Duplicate by William Sleator: Things go entirely awry when David discovers a machine capable of duplicating organic matter and uses it to help him appear in two places at once.
My Teacher is an Alien by Bruce Coville: Substitute teacher Mr. Smith (IF THAT'S HIS REAL NAME) reall has it out for one particular sixth-grade class — and the world!
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow: A whip-smart young adult novel channeling post-9/11 fear and paranoia resulting from heightened surveillance, with events taking place in a science-fiction San Francisco following a terrorist attack.
Girl in Landscape by Jonathan Lethem: Masterful Jonathan Lethem bottles up the real confusion and anxiety of adolescence in an imaginative interplanetary setting perceived with some very terrestrial perspectives.
Eva by Peter Dickinson: Thanks to science, a young woman mortally injured in a car crash gets a second chance at life in the body of a chimpanzee.
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson: After waking from a coma (it's really serious), the eponymous character learns the sordid truth about her recovery and the mysteriously keen intelligence that came with it.
The Hunger Games Trilogy: by Suzanne Collins: Gladiatorial children compete for political and regional dominance at the behest of a collapsed United States reborn as a ruthless dystopia.
An Audience for Einstein by Mark Wakely: Scientists fight over the body of Miguel Sanchez, selected to receive great knowledge and wealth as the recipient of a dying astrophysicist's memories — but forced to sacrifice his own individuality in the process.
Dancing with an Alien by Mary Logue: Teenagers fond of doomed romances may want to pick up this science-fiction love story of a young lady and the invading alien who loves her.

Why You Should Study Abroad

Studying abroad, despite the jokes made at its expense, is a fantastic way to spend a semester and practically a collegiate rite of passage. There’s also a lot more to it than you might think. Time in a foreign country isn’t just about taking a once-in-a-lifetime trip, but about learning things you can only discover when you’re away from home.

First and foremost, you see the world from outside the bubble of American dominance. For many people, life in the United States is almost comically easier than it is elsewhere, thanks to an abundance of resources and a track record as a global superpower. By spending time in a foreign country — whether in a European nation that once enjoyed the same role we do now, or in a developing nation that’s been struggling for centuries — you gain an invaluable perspective on local and global events as seen through the eyes of citizens with totally different worldviews than your own. This is really an unparalleled thing, and something all college students should strive to experience.

You’ll also learn how to shake up your personal and professional routine as you engage in new experiences that require you to constantly adjust to life in a new place. Studying abroad immerses you in culture and makes continuing your old schedule — class, break, class, dinner, bed — wonderfully impossible. Courses cover different topics, are taught by different instructors, and teach you different things than the ones back home. It’s also a great way to practice some independence without getting too far from the next. Professors and administrators are still present, but you’re far more "out in the world" than you would be back on campus, which lets you begin to take control of your life like an adult.

That control and initiative also look good to future employers. Hiring managers like knowing that employees, especially recent college grads, are capable of making their own decisions and acting independently to achieve their goals, and those are all skills you can pick up studying abroad as you learn to navigate the world around you as an individual and not merely a student. So you wind up enhancing the overall value of your degree by going abroad, since it becomes that much more attractive to employers.

Plus let’s not forget the sheer experience of it all. This isn’t a family trip to Orlando; this is four months in London, or Madrid, or Prague. This is a chance to see art and architecture and culture like you’ve never seen before and might never see again. The opportunity to travel and see the rest of the world is an amazing one that a lot of people don’t get, and if you’ve got the ways and means, it would be crazy to pass it up. See what’s out there.

Participating in Online Discussion Boards

Many students who are considering enrolling in an online degree program worry that they will miss out on the rich social interaction of a traditional college setting. While nothing replaces face-to-face interaction, many online courses make up for the lack of peer-to-peer interaction by promoting conversation on online discussion boards. For some online courses, participation in online discussion boards is optional, depending on how often a student wishes to connect with his or her fellow classmates. But online professors and instructors are increasingly using discussion boards as their primary tool for gauging class participation. Students may even get a lower grade in the class by not commenting on discussion threads.

Whatever your professor’s approach to online discussion boards, these tools can certainly be a means of engaging yourself more thoroughly in your course. From the start, a professor might welcome his or her students to the class by asking each student to post a paragraph about himself or herself on an introductory thread. Here you can get to know the classmates that you may never meet in real life and gather their contact information.

Many online instructors continue in this vein by posting new threads in a question-and-answer style. For instance, a literature professor may post a thread asking his students how an author’s use of metaphor contributed to the overall tone of a passage of text. Different students in the class will then give examples of the metaphors used. An art history instructor may ask his online students what elements best signify Baroque art. Each student can respond with examples used in their textbooks and provided in their professor’s lecture. When a professor sees his students’ responses, he knows that the students participating in the thread are paying attention, grasping the material and fully engaged in the course.

Remember, though, that there are right and wrong ways to reply to discussion board threads. Students easily revert to Internet slang and "text-speak" when they are writing in any sort of online format. However, discussion boards are not like casual e-mail messages and texts that you would send to a friend. Students should remember that discussion boards are conducted in an academic setting and that they should spell out full words rather than abbreviating them and take the questions asked seriously.

50 Best Blogs for Medieval History Geeks

History fascinates most people, each with their interest piqued by different eras — though all of them eventually impacted today’s world in ways both earth-shattering and subtle. The Middle Ages, which stretched roughly from the 5th Century to the 15th Century C.E., continues to draw passionate devotees hoping to study its tenets either formally or informally. Considering that its art, literature, architecture and (to some extent) ideologies still exist today, these "geeks" certainly have many primary sources to explore! The following blogs offer them an amazing array of perspectives on a number of different medieval topics, suitable for readers of differing levels. By no means comprehensive, many recently-updated resources unfortunately ended up littering the metaphorical cutting room floor because of space constraints. Be sure to check out the others on the subject as well for a broader look at this major point in human history.

Archaeology

Beyond Stone & Bone: Archaeology magazine’s weekly blog does not exclusively devote itself to digging up medieval artifacts, but it still offers the occasional treat and insight all the same.
Aardvarchaeology: Dr. Martin Rundkvist shares his thoughts and findings on a wide variety of archaeological topics, including the medieval period, its influencing predecessors and what came after.
Cronaca: Inspired by medieval historical discourse, this blog discusses archaeology in general — but still posts plenty about the era.
Archaeology in Europe: Professional and amateur medievalists with a particular interest in Europe would do well to keep this blog bookmarked.
Mirabilis: This general blog heavily emphasizes history and archaeology, with plenty of excellent tidbits to satisfy medieval fans.
Archaeology News: Archaeology News serves as an aggregator pulling relevant blog entries and news stories into one useful source. Not everything is medieval here, of course, but it still seeps onto the list.
Medieval Material Culture Blog: One of the best medieval-centric archaeology revolves largely around museums and how they handle certain artifacts.
Archaeological Digs: Paul McLerran helpfully posts news and information on upcoming archaeological expeditions from around the world — definitely of interest to medievalists wanting to follow the latest potential developments.
a stitch in time: Passionate archaeologist Katrin Kania loves using her knowledge to craft accurate period garments using the very same techniques as medieval craftspeople.
Antiquarian’s Attic: Drool over some of the amazing archaeological finds — many of them medieval or close to it — featured at this seriously cool blog.

Art and Architecture

English Medieval Carpentry & Digital Archaeology: Get a detailed look at architecture and carpentry from medieval England, with plenty of photos and 3D models to illustrate major points.
Medieval Hungary: Zsombor Jekely keeps a wonderfully informative blog on the medieval Hungary’s rich artistic traditions, though he does occasionally speak of other nations as well.
Vitrearum’s Church Art: Check out this comprehensive resource on both medieval church art as well as the subsequent stylistic revivals.
Le manuscript medieval ~ The Medieval Manuscript: Those who do not speak French should run this blog through Google Translate for information on the medieval period’s most recognized artistic medium.
ARTstor Blog: In spite of devoting most of its resources to general art history, collecting and preservation topics, ARTstor spends plenty of time discussing the Middle Ages.
The Textile Blog: John Hopper at The Textile Blog writes frequently on medieval tapestries and other fibrous works as well as more contemporary creators who find them inspiring.
Smarthistory: The blog may not update often, but popping by the main website reveals excellent readings, podcasts and online galleries broken up into eras, styles, artists and themes. Medievalists should have no problems finding something relevant to their interests.
Art History: With sections dedicated to Byzantine and Middle Age art and architecture, Art History certainly offers a nice little resource for anyone desiring more information on the subjects.
Medieval Castle Blog: Learn all about the most defining facet of medieval architecture with this incredibly detailed resource — complete with some excellent photos!
The Medieval Garden Enclosed: Cloisters Museum & Gardens at the Metropolitan Museum of Art shows off its landscaping design work using medieval plants and processes, shedding light on both herbalism and botany.

Literature and Language

Medieval Bookworm: Blogger Meghan particularly loves medieval historical fiction, but also reads and reviews nonfiction and classics as well.
Unlocked Wordhoard: A professor of medieval literature discusses his discipline in heavy detail at this Beowulf-inspired resource.
Languagehat.com: Follow the evolution of languages worldwide, including those experiencing turning points and/or impacting the Middle Ages.
Wormtalk and Slugspeak: Turn towards this absolutely fantastic resource for a comprehensive overview of Old and Middle English as both a language and a literary period.
The Norse Mythology Blog: Old Viking tales and religious beliefs still influence today’s culture both in and beyond Scandinavia, as these interviews and musings reflect.
Celtic Myth Podshow: This podcast, blog and forum revolves around Celtic stories and how they impacted peoples before, during and after the Middle Ages.
Just Thomism: Learn all about the teachings and writings of St. Thomas Aquinas, one of the most influential "Western" thinkers from the medieval period.
Dianne’s Medieval Writing: Anyone interested in medieval scripting would do well to absorb Dianne Tillotson’s inquiries into the hybridization of visual art and literature.
Geoffery Chaucer Hath a Blog: It may not update terribly often when compared to the others listed here, but this hilarious parody blog deserves a read all the same.
gladly wolde he: Dr. Derrick Pitard offers up some fascinating ruminations on medieval and early modern writings as well as the history of the English language. Be sure to check out the not-so-daily-but-always-awesome "Poem[s] of the Day," too.

Medievalism

A Corner of Tenth-Century Europe: Travel to the early medieval period and get an in-depth glimpse at the lives, philosophies and politics that shaped Europe.
Scela: Medievalist Lisa L. Spangenberg keeps readers abreast of fascinating stories and issues regarding Celtic culture, religion, philosophy, art, literature, politics, economics and much more.
Medieval News: This blog cobbles together a lovely variety of stories of particular interest to medievalists, often discussing current events, new discoveries and various issues and controversies.
The Heroic Age: Visit the truly valuable Heroic Age for announcements regarding conferences and publications in addition to news and book reviews centered around medievalism.
The Medieval Academy of America: Its update schedule may fluctuate, but "North America’s first organization of medievalists" still warrants attention — especially on their main website.
Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic: University of Cambridge takes readers on a voyage to medieval Scandinavia, Britain and Ireland and explains all the nuances of the peoples, places and concepts that shaped the period.
Got Medieval: At the intersection of pop culture and medievalism sits Carl S. Pyrdum III, who waxes historical on the media’s myriad inaccuracies as well as more esoteric corners of his discipline.
In the Middle: One of the most popular blogs on medieval studies covers a wonderfully wide range of subjects — readers can easily spend hours epically archive binging.
Senchus: Anyone interested in Scotland during the Middle Ages and Early Modern eras will find this a most valuable resource indeed.
Blogenspiel: Since 2002, Blogenspiel has delivered some of the most respected, in-depth content on the internet. Definitely a must-bookmark for medievalists of all proficiencies!
Byzantine Blog: Learn all about the amazing history of the powerful and influential Byzantine empire, from its politics to its artistic traditions and everything in between.
Guy Halsall’s "Transformations of the Year 600" Blog: The eponymous academic discusses the myriad factors that placed the year 600 on the cusp of antiquity’s end and medieval’s infancy. He doesn’t update much, but his content is still worth researching.
Medievalists.net: Suitable for historians both amateur and professional, Medievalists.net sports some excellent interviews, book reviews, news and insight on the subject at hand.
Medieval History Geek: He may not be a professional, but Curt Emanuel’s passionate medievalism and engaging writings sits right up there with the best academic bloggers.
Melissa’s Medieval History Blog: About.com’s guide to the Middle Ages takes a broad approach that newcomers will certainly appreciate, yet it will not isolate more seasoned medievalists.
Heavenfield: Heavenfield exists as an incredible place to soak up research on early medieval Britain, especially concerning royalty and church history.
haligweorc: Because Catholicism played an integral role – both positive and negative – in the Middle Ages, anyone interested in better understanding the era would do well to explore this resource on the faith’s history.
Norse and Viking Ramblings: Pay Professor "Viqueen" a visit for the truth about the Norse and Viking peoples what scurried about Scandinavia in the Middle Ages. They certainly did much more than rape, pillage and plunder!
Cliopatria: George Mason University’s communal History News Network may not exclusively emphasize the Middle Ages, but many medievalists still turn to it for excellent information all the same.
Hwaet?: These medieval bloggers prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that LiveJournal communities are good for something other than Harry Potter slash fiction!

How to Break Down the Overall Cost of College

Also called the Cost of Attendance (COA), the overall cost of college includes more than just tuition. It accounts for the money you’ll spend on books, room and board, a meal plan, school supplies, and even transportation and basic personal expenses, if applicable. There’s no way you can project an exact, accurate number for the COA, but realizing that you’re going to be spending — or borrowing — more than just tuition will help you be more responsible with your money early on.

Most two-and four-year colleges post this estimate on their websites, on the financial affairs page or incoming freshmen page. They might show the COA for the entire year or by semester or quarter, and should include an itemized list of what’s included: for instance, you’re room and board, and books and supplies. That amount reflects an estimate of what the average student will spend for each list item, so adjust that price tag up or down if you think your needs are much different.

CollegeAnswer.com posted sample COAs for the 2009-2010 academic year for different types of colleges. Out-of-state students and public four-year colleges could expect to pay an average of $18,548 in tuition and fees, while students at two-year schools averaged a COA of $2,544. Understanding the different averages and COA levels for different schools is a good way to begin your college search if cost is a major issue — you may be able to eliminate certain kinds of colleges altogether, but don’t discount the possibility of scholarships and other financial aid, either.

Once you’ve narrowed down a list of schools, look on their websites or perform a Google search to find COA calculators. The University of Nevada at Las Vegas, for example, features this calculator on their website, asking you to fill in qualifications for academic year, residency, housing choice, student type, and enrollment (full-time or part-time). Louisiana Tech University, though, has a more detailed COA tool that estimates all of your fees, including technology fees, books and supplies, energy surcharge, and more. Use these tools and work with your parents to project the cost of going to school for one year to minimize debt and surprise charges, and to start working on a sensible spending budget once you move onto campus.

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.

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.

What Can I Expect in an Online Course?

Online college courses are set up in a way that replicates the classroom experience as best as possible in a virtual setting. Instead of showing up to a physical classroom, students go online, enter a username and password to access their courses, and then click on the course material. You may recall that in a traditional classroom setting, a professor or instructor hands out a syllabus to his or her entire class and provides an introductory overview of the course on the first day of class. With online classes, students are typically notified via e-mail when classes start, and the syllabus and class description are available online as part of your course material.

Students access online instruction differently depending on their college’s course management software, but most courses are very straightforward to navigate. Class lectures are often made available to students in the form of audio and video files and reading material. Other resources your professor might post include links to helpful information, discussion boards to facilitate class participation, and instruction for completing homework assignments. Video files might show your professor at the head of a classroom, writing important information on a white board or through a Power Point presentation, the slides of which are often made available in your online course. Students will be responsible for taking down important information from these lectures in notes, but the good news is you can usually rewind video or audio lecture files if you believe you missed something important.

Online classrooms may require you to use an online textbook, or you may need to purchase a physical textbook. You will need to study the assigned reading from these textbooks in the same way you would for a traditional class.

Many professors wrap up class participation into your overall grade in an online course. To gauge your engagement in an online course, your professor will take note of how often you contribute to discussion board threads and how frequently you log in to your course. The course management software allows professors to see which of their students are "showing up" to lectures and which are "skipping class."

Finally, students can interact with their fellow classmates and their professor via student e-mail and chat functions built into the course management system. Some online professors even have virtual office hours where you can be sure you will catch your professor online to get your questions answered quickly.

« Previous Page — Next Page »