Category Archives: Sponsored posts

college housing, Sponsored posts

Understanding a student housing lease

 

student housingWhile every property renter should be aware of the possibility of scams when it comes time to sign the lease, college students should be particularly careful when signing a student housing lease. It is often the case that students are new to living on their own: searching for a decent, well-priced apartment is hard enough on its own, but students often don’t anticipate how difficult signing the lease can be. Pages of dense writing, legalese, and sometimes confusing clauses, all with the manager standing at your side, keys in hand, can be too much to take in immediately.

Signing the Lease

College students should resist the urge to smile and sign, although it may seem like a good idea at the time. You may feel as though you are offending your landlord by taking a step back and reading the entire lease in detail. You may even feel as though your landlord can be trusted 100%.

But the thing is, signing a legally binding document is serious, and can have significant repercussions on your life and finances. While lease terms vary depending on where you are living, many of them can be binding for up to a year. That means that, legally speaking, you are beholden to any clause within the contract as long as it is legal. With that in mind, take your time reviewing your lease. It is often the case that mistakes, if you do not catch them, will be to your disadvantage. Even if your landlord has made an error or is otherwise in the wrong, the amount of time, energy, and money you might end up spending securing your rights is not worth this ounce of prevention.

Different Types of Leases

As there is no such thing as a template for a lease, or a standard lease, landlords have a lot of leeway in the ones that write. Many lease forms can have huge legal or ethical problems. But it is not uncommon for future tenants, including college students, to be unaware of them before it is too late.

The risk that you would be running by signing your lease without question is possible to circumvent, but the responsibility is on your shoulders as the tenant. Read your lease carefully – do not skim it – before signing it. It is acceptable to ask for a copy to review overnight, although be aware that for some landlords, signs of hesitance in a tight market may make them just dump you in favor of another candidate.

Watch Out for Red Flags

While you can never know before you read the lease, there are some signs that may indicate that your landlord may be untrustworthy. If he or she does not give you a copy of the lease, however, that is your first red flag. Another is them trying to rush you to sign it, right there on the spot. Do not let them push you into doing anything you are unsure of. If the landlord tries to minimize a clause that you ask about by saying that they do not enforce it, or it is just a formality, be firm: ask the landlord to remove the clause if it is so unimportant or unenforced. You are allowed, to some extent, to negotiate the contents of your contract. Even if the landlord will not negotiate with you, it does not hurt to ask.

Another red flag is the landlord’s insistent on an oral agreement that they will not add to the contract. Unfortunately, you cannot take a handshake or someone’s word to a court of law.

One of the most important things a tenant can remember is that “standard contracts” do not exist. If your potential landlord tries to brush of your concerns with this platitude, they may be trying to pull one over on you.

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Author Bio

Joshua Turner is a writer who creates informative articles in relation to business. In this article, he offers tips to students faced with signing a house lease and aims to encourage further study with a Real Estate College Degree.

career colleges, internships, Sponsored posts

The benefits of interning as a paralegal

 

paralegalThe paralegal profession has grown dramatically in importance to law firms since the early 1960s. In 2010 the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there were 256,000 paralegal jobs in the economy and projected that there would be another 46,900 positions by 2020.

The path to a paralegal career requires a college education and, in many states, official certification. Many paralegal programs include a required internship prior to graduation. Other schools offer voluntary internship opportunities that earn credits towards graduation. Either way, paralegal internships are recognized as one of the most effective avenues for ultimately finding a paralegal job. As one writer on the profession noted, internships may be the “golden ticket” to launching a paralegal career.

Finding the right internship can be a challenge. The practice of law covers a wide range of focuses and the first question a student or new paralegal needs to consider is the type of law that interests them. Once a type of practice is identified, there are several steps that internship seekers should follow in their search.

Identify Connections

Networking is the most effective ways to find out about potential internships because law firms rarely advertise for these positions. Brainstorm with school advisers and people in the legal profession. Many colleges actively seek out internships or are contacted by organizations looking for interns. Understand that most internships are unpaid.

Talking to local working paralegals is another way to network. These people often know about upcoming vacancies and opportunities. Local organizations are also a good source for finding out how law firms function and the various roles within a firm.

Look for Internships in Unexpected Places

While the majority of paralegal positions and internships are found with law firms, there are other organizations with legal departments that require paralegal support. Many local, state and federal offices have legal staffs and need paralegals. Insurance firms, medical organizations, real estate firms and non-profit legal services organizations are also great places to research.

Applying for a Paralegal Internship

An internship, paid or unpaid, is a job and requires a formal application even if the internship is offered through a college program. Application packages should include a cover letter and resume prepared specifically for each internship sought. It is also important to ask college instructors for letters of reference and attach the letters to the application package.

Working as a Paralegal Intern

With an internship in hand, it is always appropriate to write a formal thank you letter to the person(s) who awarded the internship.

Successfully landing a paralegal internship is the beginning of another learning process. What students learn in college is a foundation. The actual work performed at a law firm or in a legal department is distinctly different from what is taught in school.

Once in the work environment, it is important to dress, behave and perform duties professionally – it is also an expectation. This is the new paralegal’s chance to learn the ins and outs of legal work. It is a time for asking questions, showing initiative and honing skills.

After the Internship Ends

At the conclusion of an internship, it is helpful for the intern to discuss his or her strengths and weaknesses with their superior. It is also a good time to ask for a letter of recommendation.

The interning firm may or may not offer an intern a job. Even so, write a formal letter of appreciation for the internship opportunity because it is the proper thing to do and because a position might become available later. The most important result of a successful internship is the experience that can be added to a resume.

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Author Bio

Joshua Turner is a writer who creates informative articles in relation to business. In this article, he describes a few benefits of interning as a paralegal and aim to encourage further study through Online Degrees at George Washington University.

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What the Affordable Care Act Means for your Student

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affordable care actThe Affordable Care Act (also known as ObamaCare) has begun to roll out in earnest. While the politics of the bill are certainly something that continue be debated, the fact is that the Act is certainly here today. If you have a student who is in college or who is going to college, you are faced with a very different health care landscape than you were looking at last year. The major differences are in the types and cost of coverage available, as well as who will pay for that coverage.

Longer Coverage

Perhaps the best-known provision of the Affordable Care Act was the increase in the length of time that a single college student could remain on his or her parents’ insurance. The new limit is 26, which is enough time for most students to finish an undergraduate degree as well as a Master’s program. This gives parents a chance to make sure that their children maintain coverage even after they head off to college, and it gives most students a better level of overall insurance coverage than they might be able to afford on their own. The coverage is not indefinite, but it does help to fill in the gaps that many experience in their 20s.

Required Care

The longer coverage period will be quite helpful, since your student will now be required to have health insurance. Many schools have already required some form of coverage for their students (the SUNY system in New York is a notable example), but the new government regulations will apply a tax penalty to adults who are not covered. It seems likely that more major universities will require some form of health care for students to attend, though this is only conjecture at this point. What is important, though, is that all students will be required to have coverage or to pay the tax penalties at the end of the year.

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scholarships, Sponsored posts, Uncategorized

Potential Scholarships for Engineering Students

 

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engineeringEngineering is a great college major. It is a versatile degree and that makes getting a job in a related field right out of college a lot easier. The downside is, even though engineering is a high-paying field, getting the right education is still expensive. One of the best ways to reduce expenses without giving up getting an education altogether is to apply for scholarships. Here are five scholarships for engineering students.

SMART Scholarship

Award: $25,000-41,000

Deadline: December 16

Eligibility

This scholarship is available to United States students who are at least 18 years old and pursuing further education and a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Current enrollment in a college or university and a high school diploma or GED and are required. Applicants must be available for summer internships, willing to accept a job after graduation with the Department of Defense and have at least a 3.0 GPA.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online at http://smart.asee.org/. The scholarship may cover up to 5 years of education.

Maureen L. and Howard Blitman, P.E., Scholarship

Award: $5,000

Deadline: March 1

Eligibility

This scholarship is open to high school seniors who have been accepted into an engineering education program at college or university. The program must be ABET-accredited and applicants must be legal residents of the United States. The scholarship is specifically for those of an ethnicity that is under-represented in the field of engineering. Specifically Native American, Hispanic or African-American engineering students.

How to Apply

Applications can be downloaded at http://www.nspe.org/Students/Scholarships/blitman.html and must be mailed in to the NSPE Education Foundation and received before the deadline.

Lillian Moeller Gilbreth Memorial Scholarship

Award: $10,000

Deadline: February 15

Eligibility

This scholarship is awarded by the Society of Women Engineers. Only women in their junior or senior years of pursuing a an ABET-accredited college or university education in Engineering. Applicants must be full-time students and maintain a 3.0 GPA.

How to Apply

The application must be started online at https://scholarships.swe.org/applications/login.asp. The application and the contact information for your faculty and personal references must be submitted before the applicant deadline. If FAFSA has also been filed, then the Financial Aid representative’s contact information must also be submitted by that first deadline. The deadline for the letters of recommendation is a bit later. The scholarship may be renewed once for undergraduate education only.

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Staying Safe While Socializing in College

 

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socializing in collegeCollege is an exciting time; it’s a time to meet new people and experience new things. However, it’s important to remain safe while socializing in college. Often, freshmen run into issues, as this is the first time that they are away from the watchful eye of their parents. By keeping their safety and health in the forefront of their mind freshmen are sure to have an enjoyable and safe first year or college.

Robberies

Depending on the campus, nighttime robberies can be a concern. This is why it’s important to travel in twos or more. Traveling in pairs is especially important for women. Sexual assaults and rapes are under reported on college campuses and are a serious threat and danger to young women and men alike. Freshmen, both male and female, should consider carrying a whistle and pepper spray with them in order to ward of attacks and be in a better position to defend themselves and reach help in a bad situation. If stuck in a dangerous situation always remember that your valuables are replaceable and to give them up without a fight.

Alcohol At College Parties

Parties that occur during high school tend to be at parents houses with a relatively small amount of alcohol available. However, on a college campus there is generally an abundant amount of alcohol and many drinks are made to hide the taste of the alcohol it contains. This is where students can get into trouble imbibing too much alcohol. In addition to these hazardous concoctions, college parties can be dangerous because they may often feature students drinking way past their limit and sometimes end up with individuals hospitalized due to alcohol poisoning. While underage students are highly recommended to avoid such social gatherings, if they do find themselves in this situation it is best to take care of yourself and your friends, as well as encourage others not to drink and drive.

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5 Tips to Avoid Getting Sick in College

 

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sick studentGetting sick in college can be difficult. It can keep you out of class as well as out of the social scene. And, unfortunately, many college students are forced to deal with illness without access to medical care. If you want to avoid getting sick, you might want to try following the five tips below.

Get Some Sleep

Sleep is often the last thing on a college student’s mind. Staying up until all hours of the night and waking up at the crack of dawn is just part of the college experience. It is also a part of the college experience, though, that might keep you from feeling your best. If you want to avoid getting sick, make sure that you are able to get at least eight hours of sleep each night. This might mean actually going to be on time during the week, but it is more than worthwhile to do this if it means being healthy.

Watch Your Diet

Most college freshmen gain wait – the dreaded freshman fifteen. The reason behind this is actually quite simple: for the first time, most students are able to eat what they want, and the most widely available foods are simply bad for you. Unfortunately, eating these foods may cause you to miss out on getting vital vitamins and minerals that can keep you from getting sick. If you want to stay healthy, make sure that you eat a good balance of proteins, fruits, vegetables and healthy carbohydrates. This will help you to keep the weight off while allowing you to stay healthy.

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The Growing Field of Gerontology

 

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gerontologyGerontology is proving to be one of the fastest growing–if not the fastest growing–fields of study in the United States. Look at what this exciting new field is and why making gerontology your field of study or adding gerontology classes to your curriculum will almost certainly benefit your education and earning potential.

Why Gerontology?

The population in the United States is aging. It is not only aging, it is doing it in unprecedented numbers and then living longer on top of that! Between 2000 and 2010, the U.S. total U.S. population grew a little over 9%; furthermore, the population of those over 65 grew at 15%. To put it in graphic terms every day for the last two years and for the next 17 years almost 10,000 people will celebrate their 65th birthday. 79 million baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964 are going to need medical care and other special care. Gerontology is by far the fastest expanding facet of medical care, and employment in general, in the United States. It is up to the students of today to get the education to prepare for this huge demand. One short-term projection says there will be a 36% increase in the demand for professionals trained in some facet of gerontology.

Comparing Geriatricians and Gerontologists

Plainly speaking gerontology is the scientific study of aging. Geriatricians are physicians who specialized in treating the health problems of elderly patients. Gerontologists are multi-disciplinary: including but not limited to medical workers, biologists, psychiatrists and psychologists, and sociologists. Medical workers with education specifically in gerontology would range from caregivers to surgeons; accordingly, Certified Nursing Assistants, EMTs, Paramedics, Physician and Medical Assistants, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and of course, D.O.s and M.D.s. The common goal of gerontologists is improving the quality of life for seniors.

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Sponsored posts, Uncategorized

Why study or improve your level of English?

 

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englishFurther to our recent article highlighting the benefits of studying a foreign language, we thought it logical to next discuss the importance of learning English. It is after all, the most widely used language today, both socially and in the working world. It is hardly surprising then, that a high level of English is highly sought after by employers in an increasingly competitive and international work market. As a native English speaker, be it in the US, UK or Australia for example, it is often easy to take for granted our English speaking and writing capabilities. Is your fluency in English as good as it could or should be? As for non-native speakers, English is most commonly studied as a second language. Education systems around the world now place greater emphasis on the teaching and learning of English from an early age, not just as a subsidiary subject, but as essential as mathematics or science.  This article will seek to answer some of the most important issues when it comes to studying English, and to hopefully convince you that it´s never too late to get out those books and start learning something new!

The Benefits

Okay so we´ve already touched on this, but why else should you learn English? In simple terms, English is a truly global language. Let´s have a look at the figures… According to the British Council, English is the first language of approximately 375 million, while it is believed that around 750 million speak it as foreign language. One in four of the world´s population has at least a basic command of the language, and this is growing.

Of course there are benefits attached with learning any language, as discussed in our previous article. Specific to English however, it allows native speakers to consolidate and improve their current level, and perhaps even lead to a future career in English teaching. After all, the demand for such profession is huge and often lucrative. Nowadays it is not just enough to write in your CV “Fluent in English”. Employers want proof. For assistance in gaining an English qualification, you can take an IELTS course at an English language school in England. Such courses are also recommendable for those learning English as a second language, as visiting and learning in an English-speaking country (where better than London, England?) is one of the best things you can do to improve your fluency. This brings us neatly on to…

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Why study a foreign language?

 

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foreign language

Aside from the fact that most competitive colleges require at least two years of a foreign language, and some require three or more years, studying a foreign language can enhance your life and broaden your horizons.

Studies have found that speaking two or more languages is a great asset to the cognitive process. The brains of bilingual people operate differently than single language speakers, and these differences offer mental benefits. Even if people begin language study in their adult lives they can still achieve the same levels of fluency as a young learner, and still reap the same mental benefits. For example, there are a lot of students who study English in Ireland as adults.

What exactly are the mental benefits of studying a foreign language? Consider some of the following:

You actually become smarter

Speaking a foreign language positively affects your brain by challenging it to communicate using varied language systems. This boost in brain power also translates into being able to complete other problem-solving tasks. An added benefit is that students who study a foreign language tend to score better on standardized tests, especially in math, reading and vocabulary.

Studying a foreign language teaches you to multitask

Multilingual students are skilled at switching between two systems of speech, writing, and structure. Penn State University conducted a study that showed the “juggling” skill makes learners multitaskers, because they can easily switch between different structures. In one study, participants used a driving simulator while doing separate, distracting tasks at the same time. The research found that people who spoke more than one language made fewer errors in their driving.

Your memory improves

Everyone knows that your brain is like a muscle. It functions better with exercise. As you study a foreign language your brain becomes more adept at memorizing and this helps strengthen your mental muscle. This means that multilingual students are better at remembering lists or sequences, such as names, shopping lists and directions.

Your senses are heightened

A study from Spain’s University of Pompeu Fabra showed that multilingual people are better at observation. They are more adept at focusing on the relevant and sifting out the irrelevant. They’re also better at spotting misleading or incorrect information.

Your ability to make decisions improves

According to numerous studies, students who speak more than one language tend to make more rational decisions. The nuances of a new language subconsciously influence your judgment. Bilinguals are more confident with their choices after thinking it over in the second language and seeing whether their initial conclusions still stand up.

Your brain stays alert during the aging process

As you get older, your brain is often less active. If you study a foreign language, either as a young learner or as an adult, your brain muscle is being exercised and your mental alertness stays consistent as you get older.

If you study a foreign language you not only improve your brain power, but knowing a second language allows you to become immersed in other languages and cultures.

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How to become a leader among student peers

 

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leadershipStudents attending a university find many new activities to participate in and organizations to get involved with.  For some students, just participating and enjoying the camaraderie is enough, but for those who want to take the bull by the horns and act as leaders or managers, there is no better place to start than in college.  Getting experience as a leader not only looks good on a resume, but also helps you to understand what types of decisions to make in order to better at communicating and motivating others. 

Join

It may seem obvious, but the first step to becoming a leader is to join into a student organization.  Students going to college tend to be inundated with requests to join everything from fraternities to clubs to frisbee teams to debate.  Choose which one or ones you want to join based on several criteria.  Most important, of course, is how much you think you would enjoy the group, but also whether or not it has an active community with strong participation.  Ask recruiters about their current leaders, and if possible talk directly with team captains or club presidents. 

Organizational Hierarchies

Whether you join a chess club or whether you find yourself getting a spot on the football team, spend your first few weeks in an organization determining how the social structure works.  Every group has some sort of leader and many have a pecking order, even if it is a fairly loose one.  Once you have an idea of the hierarchy of a group, play to your strengths.  If you are passionate about a particular idea, whether it is having a school debate or taking a road trip, talk it up.  Do not try to be an expert, and do not try to take the spotlight.  Help empower others if they have ideas they would like to see come to fruition.  Get as many people involved as you can, while doing your best to minimize conflicts.

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