Image by: N0Nick (Flickr)

If you are a new student at The University of Michigan, you will fall in love with Ann Arbor. As a college town, Ann Arbor has many charming local dives and funky places to discover. The area surrounding the campus of The University of Michigan is alive with local bars favored by U-M Students. Whether you are in the mood for trivia, karaoke or a cheap beer after a week of classes, here are the most popular bars where you will find your fellow U-M classmates.

Brown Jug Restaurant
1204 S. University Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 761-3355

This campus favorite is a versatile place where you can take a date, take your parents out when they come in town or just wind down and have a beer.  The Brown Jug Restaurant is easy on your wallet too, as many college students agree that prices are reasonable, even downright cheap. If you are going to experience their libations, try one of the 10 different Long Island iced teas. (Tip: The green dinosaur is the most popular.) If you are looking for something good to eat, the veggie pizza is highly recommended along with the Feisty Feta & Greek pita bread.

Good Time Charley’s
1140 S. University Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 668-8411

Described as the epitome of an Ann Arbor college bar, Good Time Charley’s is the bar of choice for many students at the University of Michigan. If you are going for heavily loaded drinks, you will appreciate that the Long Island iced teas are served in a pickle jar. This bar also has just about every flavor of shots imaginable. Good Time Charley’s gets packed on the weekend, so if you are looking for a place to meet other students, you will have no problem finding them here. Conveniently positioned on the corner of South University Avenue and Church Street, Good Time Charley’s is within walking distance to the University’s dorms –which is a good thing if you’ve had one of the Long Island iced teas.

Rick’s American Cafe
611 Church St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 996-2747

Offering a typical American varsity vibe, Rick’s American Café is everything you may imagine a college bar to be. With their tag line “The Most Fun You Can Have with Your Clothes On,” Rick’s promises the flirtatious, sexy college party experience with flowing alcohol and live entertainment every night of the week. Honored by Playboy as “College Bar of the Month” and named “Best Campus Bar in Ann Arbor” by the “Michigan Daily,” Rick’s American Cafe is one of the busiest bars on the University of Michigan’s campus since it opened in 1979.

Blue Leprechaun
1220 S. University Ave. #109
Ann Arbor, MI 48113
(734) 665-7777

The Blue Leprechaun is one step up from a college dive bar. It is a bit classier than the typical college bar in Ann Arbor and is often frequented by more a more distinguished college crowd, including grad students and professors. Overzealous fraternity boys and sorority girls are generally not found drinking here. The fireplace in the front room gives this bar a cozy, pub feel. The Blue Leprechaun has live music, karaoke and a hip lounge downstairs that has a more laid-back atmosphere than the bar upstairs. If you are looking for a drink and dinner deal, Tuesday nights are “Everything is Half Off for Grad Students Nights,” which may explain why so many grad students like to hang out here.  If you are tired of pizza and hamburgers, this is a great place to go for some Irish comfort food, such as fish and chips or Sheppard’s pie.

Grizzly Peak Brewing
120 West Washington St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 741-7325

This is another brew pub that is popular among a college crowd with a more distinct palate. For those who enjoy the taste of beer and are not just looking for a cheap buzz, this pub will blow you away with its list of fine imports and locally brewed beer. They offer a great list of rotating and seasonal brew. Patrons enjoy a bustling bar with good spirits, food and a dim, warm environment. As a local favorite, this pub draws a diverse, lively crowd. While it may not be located on campus, many college students go here to treat themselves. If your parents are in town and offer to take you to dinner, take advantage of their offer and order something nice for yourself, such as the spicy, beer-steamed mussels or the pretzel-encrusted salmon with a Black & Tan brownie beer.

April Lentini writes for Apartment Guide in Detroit.

Image: Alaskan Dude (Flickr)

Freighter Cruises

If you want to save money on a cruise and be treated like “one of the crew” instead of like a tourist, a freighter cruise may be just for you. Most of the major global freighter lines, CMA-CGM, Canada Maritime and Freighter World Cruise offer adventure seekers the chance to come aboard for a fare. Travel to just about any destination in the world on a containership, general cargo ship or mail & supply ship for a fraction of the cost of a traditional cruise line. Fares range from $90 to $130 per day for trips from 7 days to over 100 days. Freighter travel is not as unaccommodating as it may seem. You get your own cabin, eat meals in a dining hall with the crew, and even get a tour of the bridge. Freighter cruises are generally for people who would prefer a laid-back setting, with a more rugged edge to it rather than the standard, activity centered, commercial cruises.

Cold Destinations

Alaska or Canada may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of spring break, but for many college students, canoeing in the Arctic, ski trips and dog sledding can be a refreshing adventure –especially if you already live in a warm climate.  For those who love to bond with animals, dog sledding has gained popularity in recent years. Alaskan Racing Huskies love to run and they thrive on human interaction. Guides will share their love for dogs, local history and dog sledding expertise with resort guests in Canada and Minnesota.

Volunteer Trips

Volunteer trips have been a popular alternative spring break option this year for students who seek a “feel good” opportunity in addition to learning about life in different countries or even from different walks of life. You could tutor at-risk children who attend inner-city schools or practice your Spanish while helping to improve shanty towns built to accommodate poor Mexican families. Choosing to spend your spring break helping people and communities in need is altruistically rewarding, but it can also be fun and not to mention looks great on your resume. How much more would you enjoy sharing a few cold beers after a day of conservation work in Ecuador or saving turtles in Costa Rica than if you just sat around in a hotel all day?

Kooky Retreats

For those of you who need more therapy than party, try a specialized retreat to reset your mojo.  Immerse yourself in a retreat of just about any kind. The Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts has a Silent Yoga and Meditation Retreat where participants focus on Yin Yoga and meditation. If you are looking for rejuvenation, there are many new age wellness retreats all over the country. Some people may prefer a retreat that brings them closer to nature. In this case, you can find an eco camp or do a weeklong survival course camping out in the woods. From paranormal retreats such as ghost hunting, to art and creativity retreats, you can spend spring break getting away from all the noise of college life and find some bliss doing what you truly love.

April Lentini writes for Apartment Guide in Detroit.

What is an MBA?

A Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) is essentially a specialization and much deeper course of learning than what you covered at your undergraduate school. It is centered around the sharing of strategy, very fine technical details, and networking with your fellow graduate students. It can be of general nature, or focus narrowly on one discipline of business: Forensic Accounting, Interactive Marketing, or Quantitative Analysis, to name a few. The length of the program depends entirely on what you intend to be studying, and you can complete an MBA as quickly as one year (full-time), or up to three years (part-time) both on-campus and online.

How will an MBA help me?

In a nutshell, an MBA is your way of saying, “I’m an expert in [your field here].” You have taken the enormous amount of time, resources, and (mental) sweat to earn two or more degrees; basically, you have proven your dedication. A current or prospective employer regards an MBA as a badge of tenacity; you invested several years for this knowledge and it makes you that much more of an asset to their business.

An MBA can be your ticket to an accelerated career. There are a lot of jobs out in the market that list an advanced degree as a prerequisite. Earning an MBA can give you the extra edge you need to qualify for that dream job and catapult you to new levels of higher pay grades, authority, and respect.

In addition, the path to earning an MBA can be just as rewarding as the degree itself. When you take Masters-level classes, you are placing yourself in a room with other very intelligent people; people with interesting and unique perspectives you may not have seen or thought of before. Graduate degrees are a much bigger time and financial investment, so there tend to be fewer social loafers than you probably had to deal with during your undergraduate education (though inevitably there will ALWAYS be a few.)

Another important benefit of an MBA is networking. If networking was not stressed in your undergraduate education, then you are hearing it now and need to memorize and believe in this sentence, “Networking is the most important part of business.” When I say networking, I don’t mean online social networks or information technology — I’m talking about face-to-face, interpersonal relationships. Your personal network is the most valuable thing you can ever build for yourself. You would not believe how many jobs, business opportunities, romantic introductions, and so many other wonderful things are passed between connected people all the time. So, why is an MBA so great for networking? You are surrounded by competent businesspeople who all share a common denominator with you: the desire to learn and get ahead. Make some friends, trade some business cards… you never know who you will meet that will hold the connection to your dream job or be your future business partner.

When should I return to school for my MBA?

The catch with a Masters degree in any business field is that full-time experience is a vital prerequisite to ensure that your application is as robust and compelling as possible. The most important reason for this is the fact that many schools won’t even consider you for a graduate program without relevant job experience. They want a candidate who has spent time in the “real world” and can bring something to the program, not just take away knowledge and skills from it.

The trend lately has been to do your MBA degree straight out of undergrad. As a recent graduate, I have seen first hand how tough the market is and actually advise strongly against this. Weird as it may sound, it may actually hurt you when you finish the advanced degree. Without business experience “under your belt,” a potential employer will look at your resume and give you less credit than they would to someone that had a wealth of experience, but no advanced degree. If you are currently working at a company and decide to do a part-time MBA, it can serve as an excellent career accelerator and potentially net you a raise or promotion when an opportunity becomes available. It is all a matter of balancing experience and knowledge.

Where should I go for my MBA?

To put it bluntly, if you can afford a nationally recognized school, find your specialization, and get accepted… go for the gold! An MBA does several things for you: it opens doors to promotions, higher paying jobs, bestows a measure of respect, and broadens and deepens your scope of knowledge in your chosen field. Therefore, go to wherever you think you will get the best possible experience, connections, and value for your hard earned dollars.

Online schools can be an excellent choice for many prospective students as well, due to their flexible nature. If you are working during the day, an online MBA can be the answer to your dilemma of when you will have time to take classes. In addition, the hybrid classroom* concept has been taking off lately, which can be an excellent learning method if you are skeptical of taking a class entirely online. There are a variety of resources on the web for comparing online degrees and searching for schools; one popular site is Edvisors.com, it has received a lot of traffic and praise for its large database of colleges and degree programs. In addition, GraduateCenter.com has a wealth of information about the entire process of getting into grad school, as well as funding resources, and other useful services.

*A hybrid classroom or course means that it is partially online, and partially a physical class at a school. An example of this would be a class that meets one or two times per week online, and once per week in a classroom for a lecture, lab, or for in-person Q&A sessions with the professor.

How will I pay for an MBA?

Scholarships are a great supplement to your funds for education if you qualify for one. They essentially are free money for use toward your school bills. There are lots of different types of scholarships that a student can earn, and many require an essay or some sort of written application to be considered. StudentScholarshipSearch.com and ScholarshipPoints.com are two great free online resources for finding and earning scholarships. ScholarshipPoints is pretty unique in that you earn and accumulate scholarship points through different online activities (reading blogs, taking surveys, etc.) and can redeem them for entries into a variety of monthly scholarship drawings. As an example, ScholarshipPoints runs a $10,000 quarterly and $1,000 monthly scholarship that are open to any user enrolled in school.

Many people think that the government only gives money to undergraduate students. There are just as many loan options and scholarships for graduate students as there are for undergraduates. If you need to take out a loan, go federal before you go private. Just like you did for your undergrad school, you need to file a FAFSA. For every federal loan, (Stafford, Parent PLUS, and Perkins) there is a graduate version for applicants with demonstrated financial need. Even if you do not qualify for the need-based loans, you will still be offered an unsubsidized Stafford loan that has lower fixed interest (6.8%) than you would be paying on a private student loan. However, in order to qualify for federal aid, your school needs to be enrolled in either the FFEL or Direct Loan program — contact your school’s financial aid department for details.

A private student loan is also an excellent tool for helping to finance your advanced degree. They close the gap between what is awarded to you in federal aid and your total cost of attendance. Although they cost more in interest than federal loans, they are more flexible and can be used for essentially any school-related expense — be it rent for your apartment, paying for tuition, buying books, or any of the other unexpected costs that spring up while you are in school.

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In the long run, earning an MBA will advance your career and help you in your quest for better, more desirable jobs. It can open doors that were previously closed to you, and highlight your success in both academics and business. An MBA signifies that you are educated and have the skill set to excel in your chosen field. Along with the drive to succeed, some street smarts, and a professional demeanor, your MBA can be the yellow brick road to your Emerald City.

** Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Surveys, March 1998, 1999, 2000

Just like the “free love” generation before us, millennials figured this out long before the men in white coats arrived. For some, hooking up is a way to explore their sexuality without a relationship commitment. For others it’s a form of dating — a good relationship requires a good sexual relationship, so why not cut to the chase?

But — there’s a catch. The study only covers emotional health. It just so happens the hook-up generation is also a primary victim of failed abstinence-only marriage programs and their sexual health knowledge is… terrifying. Another new study , this one by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, found that less than half of young adults use contraception when they have sex. In interviewing 18-29 year olds, they netted what is officially one of the scariest quotes of the year: “it doesn’t matter whether you use birth control or not; when it is your time to get pregnant it will happen.”

Yikes! These are the brainiacs you could be hooking up with over Spring Break?!? With that in mind, it’s time for another round of “Smart Girl Tips” to keep you safe, healthy, and sexy this Spring Break:

• If there’s even the remotest possibility you’ll be having sex on the beach — or anywhere else, for that matter — buy your condoms of choice before you leave and stash a few in your purse, the rest in your carry-on. Condoms are the only way to prevent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, so use one every single time you have sex. (A condom can also be cut in half to be used as a dental dam for safer oral fun!) If you’re on birth control, make sure to pack enough pills for your trip and remember to take it at the same time you usually do — the beer pong can wait a few minutes, we promise!

• Safe sex is the goal — no one wants to get a diaper bag for graduation! — but it’s not always the reality. If the condom slips off (or never makes it on in the first place), there’s Plan B® One Step, the only one-pill emergency contraception that can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex to prevent unintended pregnancy. If you’re 17 or older, you can get it without a prescription at the pharmacy — pick it up before you leave (Plan B® One-Step is only available in the US) so a slip-up doesn’t ruin your vacation.

• If it’s mom you’d want the hospital to call when you’ve got heat exhaustion, program her numbers into your phone under ICE (“In Case of Emergency”) before you set off. When you’re on the ground, put the hotel’s phone number and address into your contacts and ask the front desk for the digits of a local cab company. If the hotel has a shuttle service, get a paper copy of the schedule and take a picture of it on your phone for later reference.

• Hop from place to place in a pack and designate a ’sober sister’ to make sure no one is slinking out the door with that gelled up, spray-tanned creeper or undressing for an ill-advised turn on the bar. As a rule, no one should leave alone with a new-found “friend” — but if you absolutely must head out for a hook-up, have a friend program your prize’s phone number in her phone and take a picture of you together. Set a time to check-in by text — and make sure to follow through.

• The same ‘drink rules’ you follow at frat parties apply tenfold on Spring Break — never accept a drink from someone you don’t know and don’t leave it unattended while you dance or go to the bathroom. Same goes for those glowing vials of alcohol — take it directly from the server before it gets passed down the line.

• More than 60% of employers take social networking profiles into consideration when making hiring decisions. Don’t let a week of debauchery ruin your job prospects by remembering that everything is a camera, including phones, iPods, and computers. Don’t do anything at a club you’d be mortified to see on CNN tomorrow. Be selective when posting your own pics — booze bottles, red eyes, and lots of skin are probably best kept under the ‘private’ setting for you and your fellow revelers to enjoy.

Follow Shelby Knox on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ShelbyKnox

Educational Video Collections

These sites are full of videos on a wealth of topics that can help grab your students’ attention.

1. Teacher Tube: On this site, teachers can post their own educational videos and find videos made by others on virtually every topic out there.
2. Edublogs.tv: Visit this site to search through a great collection of educational content.
3. Edutopia: Sponsored by George Lucas, this site contains some great lesson plans as well as an assortment of lectures and inspiring videos.
4. You Tube Edu: Check out this site to get access to the great content offered by YouTube, but narrowed down to all but educational videos.
5. EduTube: Here you’ll find educational videos on just about every topic you could imagine.
6. Classroom Clips: If you’re looking for teacher submitted and approved video and audio content for your courses, give this site a try.
7. neoK12: This site believes that kids learn better by seeing and doing, and offers a wide range of educational videos and games to help them do it.
8. Scholar Spot: Designed with both students and teachers in mind, this site has lots of educational content including lectures, animated videos and inspiring news stories.
9. OV Guide: If you still haven’t found the video you’re looking for, consider paying a visit to this site. It will help you search through hundreds of sites for the best educational content on the web.
10. Cosmo Learning: This educational site offers videos that can work well for students from grade school as well as those geared towards high school or college students.
11. Google Educational Videos: Here you’ll find instructions on how to search through Google Videos and bring up only those that relate to education.
12. Lectr: On this site teachers and students alike can find free lectures from learning institutions around the world.

General Video Collections

These sites do offer some great educational content, but contain other types of videos as well.

1. Hulu: Hulu carries a lot of everyday, pure entertainment TV shows, but it also streams programs from PBS and National Geographic that can be great for classroom use.
2. Internet Archive: This site compiles videos from all over the web, giving you access to archives, public domain movies and a whole lot more.
3. TED: Get your students or even yourself inspired with the amazing lectures posted on this site.
4. MIT World: Hear from some of the world’s foremost scholars in lectures provided by MIT.
5. TVO Big Ideas: On this site you’ll be able to hear from some big names in business, politics and activism and get a look at how they feel about some of the bigger issues facing our world.
6. Big Think: Check out this site from video programming that asks you to truly think about a topic. Not all videos may be appropriate for the classroom, but there are definitely a few that could spark some interesting conversation.
7. The Open Video Project: If you want access to loads of public domain digital video, go through the archives collected on this high-tech library site.
8. @Google Talks: Hear from experts in fields like history, technology and business in this impressive collection of lectures from Google.
9. Forum Network: This PBS site is absolutely full of video lectures from authors, academics and thinkers, but you’ll also find some great free PBS programs on topics that are especially relevant to history, science and technological education.
10. UChannel: On this site you’ll find video lectures from some of the most prestigious institutions around the world.

Teacher Education

Check out these sites to find some videos that will help you learn more about the subjects you teach and the technology you use.

1. Academic Earth: Visit this site to see a wide range of lectures and courses from schools like Yale, Princeton and MIT, giving you the opportunity to learn more about your subject matter without spending a dime.
2. Teacher Training Videos: If you need a little extra instruction on working with technology or students with ESL needs, check out the free content on this site.
3. iMovie in Teacher Education: This site will show you how you can use iMovie, and by extension videos and interactive experiences, more effectively in your classroom.
4. Classroom 2.0 Video: Those who struggle with implementing technology in the classroom should check out the videos on this site. You’ll learn how to do a wide range of technological tasks and there are lesson-worthy videos on the site as well.
5. Atomic Learning: Use the videos on this site to find out how to harness the power for 21st century technological tools for more effective teaching. Most of the content comes at a cost, so you may want to try to talk your school district into sponsoring it.
6. iTunesU: Take some of the free courses and lectures on this site to brush up on your knowledge of your specialty subject matter or just about anything else.
7. Videos for Personal Development: Check out this site for a listing of some truly great personal development videos that will help your general teaching skills as well as your technological knowledge.
8. Learner.org: While you will find a great deal of video content that can be of use in the classroom, the real wealth of this site lies in the great personal development materials for teachers.

Lesson Planning

These video sites offer some great content to add to your lesson plans, and many are geared towards students so they can use them at home as well.

1. Teachers Domain: Create a free profile on this site and you will get access to hundreds of lessons with accompanying videos, photos and other media.
2. Meet Me at the Corner: This site offers students educational programming, book clubs, podcasting lessons and even virtual field trips–all great additions to lessons.
3. WatchKnow: Designed for younger students, this site is home to some great educational videos on everything from inspirational biographies to ESL help.
4. BrainPOP: While not all the content on this site is free, teachers can still find some great animated videos on a wide range of topics on this site for use in the classroom.
5. Kids Know It Network: This site contains videos on topics like dinosaurs, biology, geography, history and math that are free to use and share.
6. Khan Academy: This not-for-profit organization wants people everywhere to have access to educational content, and on their site, you can find instructional videos on numerous topics.
7. Awesome Stories Video: Use the videos on this site in all kinds of lessons. You’ll find content that ranges from discussing the lives of penguins in Antarctica to the role of African Americans in WWII.
8. Nobel Prize Lectures: Why not augment a lecture about a famous face in history with a real clip of them giving a Nobel Prize lecture or a documentary about their life? You’ll find both here.
9. John Locker: Choose a subject like history, science or even sports on this site and you’ll get access to some amazing educational content.
10. Teachers’ TV: This site is a goldmine for teachers, with videos posted by subject, grade level, popularity and with the added bonus of a special section for professional development as well.

Science, Math and Technology

On these sites, the videos focus on the fields of science, math and technology.

1. Green Energy TV: Teach your students about the latest innovations in green technologies with free videos from this site.
2. Research Channel: The programming on this Internet TV site highlights some of the latest research being done in science, technology, medicine and even the humanities so you can educate yourself and your students on the next big things.
3. BioInteractive: Explore biology with a little help from this site, offering videos and animations that can be a big help in teaching complex topics.
4. ARKive: For lessons about the natural world, this site is perfect. It contains a wide range of videos on the animal and plant life of Earth.
5. Math TV: If your students are struggling to understand a mathematical concept, augment their lessons with some of the material found on this site.
6. The Vega Science Trust Videos: Let your students see potential science careers, discuss important issues and see inspirational figures in the field with videos found on this site.
7. The Science Network: See interviews with big names in science that touch on important topics like stem cell research, evolution, neuroscience, genetics, learning and more on this site.
8. Pop Tech: Inspire your students with the videos found on this site, showing individuals who are using science, technology and plain old hard work to change the world.
9. Channel N: This site is full of lectures and videos on the human brain and psychology.
10. How Stuff Works Videos: Show your students amazing and instructional videos through the content on this site.
11. ScienceStage: You’ll find everything from videos of the Hubble Telescope to problems with human nutrition on this research-focused site.
12. Exploratorium: Check out the webcasts on this site to let your students hear from biologists, cosmologists, physicists and more.
13. SciVee: Give your students a view into the real working world of science, with this site that allows scientists to post videos of their real-life research for students and other scientists to use.
14. The Futures Channel: This online channel is full of lessons and video clips on all types of math and science topics, from how to predict the weather to how to build stronger snowboards.

History, Arts and Social Sciences

Here you’ll find a great collection of videos to illustrate the past and help your students see the beauty of the arts.

1. EASE History: Watch videos about historical events, campaign ads, and cultural values on this historical site.
2. Kennedy Center Archives: Through this site you can show students performances from some of the most amazing musicians in the world.
3. The Archaeology Channel: Help your students to explore the history of mankind through the great free content offered here.
4. Peoples Archive: This site collects the biographies of well-known people around the world told by the people who know it best–themselves.
5. Steven Spielberg Film and Video Archive: On this site you’ll find an amazing collection of WWII-era footage of the horrors of the Holocaust.
6. Culture Catch: This site will let you see some of the work being done by up-and-coming artists.
7. Folk Streams: Use this site to show students documentaries about traditional and folk culture in America.
8. Digital History: With lesson plans and interactive online experiences for students, the videos found here are just the icing on the cake.
9. History Matters: This site explores the primary historical documents central to understanding American history.
10. Social Studies Video Dictionary: Your students can look up vocabulary words in style with this video dictionary.

Video Tools

If you want to share, upload or store your own videos, consider using one of these great online tools.

1. Drop.io: You can work with colleagues, parents or on your own in real time using this free online video and collaboration tool.
2. DropShots: Keep your educational video collection private using this hosting site.
3. Shwup: Store and share all your educational media using this site.
4. Tonido: If you’ve got your videos stored on your computer, this site will let you upload them to the web and play them in the classroom free of charge.
5. StashSpace: Create an account on this site and you’ll be able to store all kinds of video content.
6. Troovi: With this site you can create an account to store all of your educational photos, videos and documents so you’re always prepared to teach.
7. VidQue Edu: Search through this site for other educational videos even if you’re not quite ready to post your own.
8. SchoolTube.com: This site is a great social networking forum for students and teachers to share videos.

Network and Program Videos

These video sites are maintained by TV networks, offering videos of their programming for teachers to use for free.

1. PBS Video: With this site you’ll be able to bring the great content from PBS right into your classroom for free.
2. National Geographic Video: From nature to ancient cultures, you’ll find videos aplenty on this site.
3. Nova Teachers Watch Video Online: Using this site you can show clips or whole programs from the television series Nova.
4. Discovery Education: The Discovery Channel has compiled the videos on this site just for teachers and students.
5. C-SPAN Video Library: Students learning about government can see it in action through the videos here.
6. iCue: NBC News sponsors this site that offers great clips of important world events.
7. History Channel Video Guide: Bring history to life through biographies and historical documentaries found here.
8. Biography.com: Let your students learn more about famous figures in history using the short clips from the Biography Channel found here.
9. Educational Internet TV: Check out this site to find out about free educational channels from around the world that you can watch online for free.
10. BBC Learning: BBC Learning offers thousands of clips that have been pre-edited and selected to work well in the classroom.

Free Movies and Clips

Visit these sites to get access to free documentaries, public domain films and short clips.

1. Film Clips Online: Here you’ll find short, and legal to use film clips that are perfect for the classroom.
2. Free Documentaries.org: Use this site to find some free documentary films for the classroom.
3. SnagFilms: This site is home to a wide range of both free and pay film content.
4. Top Documentary Films: Search through the documentaries on this site to find something perfect for the lessons you’re creating.
5. Movies Found Online: Check out the search tool on this site to find whole public domain films online.
6. ABC Documentaries: This site offers free documentaries from an Australian television station, including many shorter TV programs that can work well in school.

How-Tos

If you’ve got no clue how to use a technology or want to see how things work in video form, these tutorial-filled sites should be your first stop.

1. 5 Min: Got five minutes? Then you have enough time to watch one of these great instructional videos.
2. Wonder How To: No matter what you’re trying to accomplish around the classroom, this site likely has a video to help you do it.
3. Instructables: Learn how to make some great crafts that can accompany your lessons, play new games, or just figure out how to do something you’ve always wanted to do through this site.
4. Howcast: If you want to know how to do something, this site is a great place to start looking for instruction.
5. MindBites: You can not only find great videos on this site, but you may even be able to earn a little extra when others use videos you post.
6. W3 Schools: Want to create a class website but don’t even know where to begin? This site offers some excellent tutorials on all the programming languages and tech expertise you’ll need.

Government and Organizations

Go through these sites to get great videos and footage from the past and present of American history.

1. The National Archives: Through this site you’ll get access to multimedia records that are held in the U.S. National Archives — a perfect addition to any history lesson.
2. National Science Foundation Multimedia: Here, the NSF provides educators and interested learners with videos of nature, interviews, animations and a whole lot more.
3. NASA e-Clips: Use these short clips as a way of showing students about our world and the universe that lies beyond.
4. NASA TV: From live footage of space shuttles and space stations to programming geared towards use in the classroom, this NASA site is an invaluable resource for teachers looking to add to lessons about space travel.
5. Library of Congress Teacher Resources: This site helps bring together some of the best material offered by the Library of Congress for use in a range of lesson plans on American History.
6. American Memory Motion Pictures: If you prefer to look through the material on your own, this site will let you search through the multimedia material held by the Library of Congress.

Contributed by AccreditedOnlineColleges

Organization

Keep your studies, ideas and research in ship-shape with these helpful online tools.

1. Google Reader: Instead of visiting every blog you read, why not organize them all on this easy-to-use RSS reader?
2. Backpack: Keep your notes, contacts, information and just about everything else for class or business organized with this tool.
3. Stickies: This application makes it simple to make notes to yourself right on the web.
4. Bla-Bla List: Try out this to-do list application for no frills tracking of all the things you need to get done.
5. Mindomo: This web tool is great for laying out your thoughts for anything from business endeavors to class projects.
6. FreeMind: Use this free mind-mapping software to figure out where you want to go with an idea.
7. bubbl.us: This web application is perfect for brainstorming your next big project.
8. iOrganize: Mac users can try out this application, designed to keep notes and important information centrally located and easy to find.
9. Zoho Planner: Give this free planner a try. It’ll let you create and share to-dos, notes, contacts, images and more.
10. Clipmarks: Those who do a lot of web research or just like to browse can save interesting links for future reference using this tool.

Scheduling

Make sure you never miss a meeting, test or networking opportunity by using these scheduling apps.

1. Google Calendar: Google’s calendar is easy-to-use and will let you organize all your important work, school and social events.
2. Cozi: This calendar tracks everything from sports meets to shopping lists.
3. Keep and Share: If you often work with others on projects or extracurriculars, this calendar-sharing app could be right up your alley.
4. Spongecell: With this application you can create and customize your calendar and share it with others when you choose.
5. Doodle: This personalized scheduling app will help you arrive on time and prepared for the events in your life.
6. StudyRails: Plan out your study time and know when important due dates are coming up with this application.
7. 30 Boxes: Use this tool to keep track of all the things, both big and small, going on in your life.
8. SlimTimer: Track how long you’re working on a project, create to-dos and generally manage your time more wisely with this application.
9. WhichTime: This calendar makes it incredibly simple to keep track of where you’re supposed to be and when.
10. Jotlet: Quickly jot down appointments and important due dates using this calendar app.

Networking and Marketing

Use these web tools to get your name out there, make connections and make the most of the millions of potential customers and employers using the web.

1. Facebook: You can do a whole lot more with Facebook than just keep track of your old friends. Create a networking profile and get your name known.
2. Twitter: Creating a Twitter account can be a great way to share updates about your business, school or your ideas.
3. LinkedIn: Take advantage of this networking tool to get in touch with the thousands of other businesspeople online in your field.
4. Elance: Using this tool you can make connections and even find some freelance work.
5. iMantri: If you’re in search of a mentor in your industry, don’t pass up this excellent site for pairing young professionals with mentors.
6. Company of Friends: One of the earliest business social networks, this site still offers a great number of professional contacts for those who are willing to search for them.
7. Ecademy: Meet people, blog and join professional groups on this business networking site.
8. Media Bistro: This site makes it easier to meet and talk with people in the content generation business, great for promoting your business or for making contacts.
9. Jigsaw: Link your budding business up with others through this large B2B network.
10. Meetup: Through this site you’ll be able to find business meetups, events and more in your area.

Staying Connected

Talk to business partners, clients, friends and even parents using these great online tools.

1. Gmail: Of the free email services out there, most would agree that Gmail is far and away the best choice. Better yet, you can link it up with a calendar, RSS reader and more.
2. Google Voice: This online service allows you to get your voice messages no matter where you are and to consolidate your phone numbers.
3. Campfire: Collaborate with others on school and work projects using this site.
4. FaxZERO: Fax machines may be outdated, but in your business you’ll likely encounter someone who wants something faxed to them. That’s where this service comes in handy.
5. K7: On the flipside, this service allows you to receive fax messages even if you don’t have a fax machine.
6. LogMeIn: If you can’t always take your computer with you where ever you go, it’s not a problem with this service that lets you log onto your desktop from anywhere.
7. Highrise: This web tool makes it simple to keep track of your professional contacts, perfect for helping you find work or drum up business.
8. Wufoo: One way to generate a better product is by asking customers what they think. This site helps you do that simply and easily.
9. Wordpress: What better way to get your business out there and stay connected with the world than by creating a blog? Get a free site here.
10. Meebo: Chat with people on all chat platforms using this one easy tool.

Research

Whether you’re doing research for class or for your own ventures, these tools can help.

1. BNET: Get access to this site’s business library and news to stay on top of what is going on in the business world.
2. Seeking Alpha: Research stocks and investing ideas through this site.
3. U.S. Business Reporter: On this site you’ll find information about businesses, including their sales, statistics and more.
4. BizShark: Whether you’re looking for a job or just want to know more about a particular business, this search engine makes it simple.
5. Motley Fool: Find all the market advice and information you need through this site.
6. Masterseek: This company search engine lets you search by brand, product or business.
7. Zibb: Find just about any business and accompanying news, stats and information on this site.
8. Google Scholar: The web is full of information, but not all of it’s reliable. This search engine pares down results to just scholarly and professional sources.
9. Zotero: If you use Firefox as a browser, then try out this great plug-in that makes it simple to save, share and cite references you’ve culled from the web.
10. CiteULike: Make sure your bibliography isn’t a total mess by using this easy citation generator.

Mobile Apps

Don’t let a little thing like being away from the computer slow down your business savvy. Try out these mobile web apps to take your projects on the road.

1. Business Reference Library: Make every time you don’t know something an opportunity to learn more with this amazing dictionary.
2. Oxford Dictionary of Finance and Banking: Look up any words or terms that seem strange to you with this handy tool.
3. mbPointer: Transform your phone into a fully featured presentation pointer using this application.
4. Analytics App: See just how well your business or personal website is doing with this analytics tool.
5. QuickOffice Mobile Office Suite: Whether you’re writing a business plan, tracking your finances or just preparing for class, this app lets you do it from anywhere.
6. Pocket MBA Test: If you’re studying to get your MBA, practice the information you’ll need to know for the test while on the go.
7. Glossary of Business Acronyms: Never wonder what an acronym means again with this helpful reference app.
8. Leadership Quotes: Get inspired with this application full of great business leadership quotes.
9. Bump: With this application you can share your business card simply by touching your phone to another.
10. Wall Street Words: Not sure what the heck the Wall Street Journal is talking about? Don’t stay ignorant, look the word up in this financial dictionary app.

Multitasking and Productivity

Learn how to get more done with less by using these apps.

1. OmniFocus: Try out this application to finally “get serious” about productivity with functions that let you take notes, turn them into to-dos and stay on task.
2. Netvibes: Keep all your favorite websites organized in one place so you can see what’s going on with each at the same time using this site.
3. Evernote: Create notes for yourself on the go and share, email and access them later with this tool.
4. Remember the Milk: Get to-do lists on your computer that you can check on the web or on your phone with this tool.
5. Ta-Da List: This simple tool lets you create to-do lists to ensure you get all your work done.
6. Joe’s Goals: Set goals for yourself for this year, five years from now or this week using this site.
7. Time Tracker: This tool lets you keep track of what sites you’re visiting so you can pare down your procrastination time.
8. Rescue Time: If you’re easily distracted, this tool is designed to help you focus and limit the temptation to browse other websites.
9. TreePad Lite: Organize your personal information, data, contacts, notes and more in one place using this application.
10. Todoist: Use this application to track all of the things you need to get done in a day or week.

Starting a Business

If you’re feeling ambitious and want to start your own business while in school, these free tools can be a big help in making sure you start off on the right foot.

1. Highrise: Use the website to track business leads, clients and contacts so you’ll never lose out on potential business.
2. Freshbooks: Manage all of your business finances using this online tool.
3. Basecamp: This project management site will let you dole out tasks, see where a project stands and keep it all organized.
4. Wesabe: Whether you use it for your personal finances or to track a business’ worth, this free financial tool is a great online resource.
5. ConceptShare: Get feedback on your designs, concepts and projects easily through this collaborative tool.
6. PayPal: You’ve got to get paid somehow, and this site makes it pretty darn simple to get it done.
7. MyNewCompany: Use this site as a great source of information to make sure you’re not making any big blunders when it comes to running your new business.
8. Nolo: Find legal advice for your new business on this site.
9. BigCartel: If you need a shopping cart app for your site, this one is reasonably priced and easy to use.
10. Google AdWords: Google Ads are a great way to promote your business or to make a few extra bucks by placing them on your site.

Markets and Investment

Follow the economic trends around the world, find investors for your businesses, and try your own hand at investing using these tools.

1. Covestor: Follow what more experienced investors are doing on Covestor to see how things work and gain confidence.
2. Tip’d: Stay current with the latest business and financial news on this site.
3. Market Watch Community: This site will help you to learn more about the market in an online investment community.
4. Zopa: If you need a loan for your business, get one from everyday people and not the bank through this site.
5. Market Watch: Keep up with the ups and downs of the market on this site.
6. Quote.com: Find out where any stock stands by looking it up on this site.
7. Investor Guide: Get stock quotes, investing advice and the latest financial news on this site.
8. Go4Funding: Go through this site to find an angel investor for your business venture.
9. Venture Worthy: Find out if your business has what it takes to draw in investors from this great website.
10. Investing Minds: Share advice and ideas on investing on this online community.

Business Toolkits

These toolkits combine a wide variety of resources from business plan templates to financial calculators to make sure you know the ins and outs of being an entrepreneur.

1. Inc.com: From finding a job to managing a workplace, this site is full of tools and articles to help you do it right.
2. BizToolkit: Learn how to plan, market and grow a business with this toolkit.
3. Entrepreneur.com: Find vendors, learn how to franchise, discover PR tools and more through this site.
4. SCORE: Here you’ll get access to business-related quizzes, podcasts and links.
5. U.S. Small Business Administration: There are numerous free resources available to small business owners on this government site.
6. Bplans.com: Find sample business plans and learn how to build your own on this site.
7. Green Business Guide: Try out the resources found on this site to launch your own green business.
8. Small Business Toolkit: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has created this set of tools to help you start, manage and expand your business.
9. Goliath Business Tools: With business plans, a business encyclopedia, and a company profile database, this site is chock-full of business goodness.
10. Business Owner’s Toolkit: Find everything you’ll need to get your business up and running on this site.

Contributed by AccreditedOnlineColleges.com

Why does it feel like there isn’t enough time in the day to complete everything? Does it feel like no matter how hard you try, time seems to elude you?

Mastering time management can be a difficult task for some people, especially when balancing school, work and fun. College is a great time to learn these skills because of the wide variety of activities and events that college life provides. By following these 4 steps, you will be able make time work with you, not against you.

How many hours per week do you have as “free time”? Well, let’s break it down.

There are 24 hours per day x 7 days per week = 168 hours total per week.

Total Time for Fixed Activities = 97 hours.
168 available hours – 97 fixed hours = 71 FREE HOURS
That’s only 10 hours per day of free time!

1. Be Proactive

Seeing as your only have 10 hours of FREE TIME available each day, you must be proactive in your decisions to use this time. Being proactive means taking initiative, rather than waiting for others to act first or to make decisions for you. The opposite of proactive is reactive.

Accepting a reactive approach is not going to allow you to utilize your time efficiently. For example, instead of studying when your classmates start studying, decide when to start based on your own schedule. Simply being reactive and “following the crowd” is a waste of time.

2. Organization

An essential part of being proactive — as opposed to reactive — is looking ahead. If you don’t own a planner, get one. If you own a Mac, you might be interested in using iCal to organize your life. Many educators recommend using a pen and paper approach to this step but personally, I think we need to utilize all this new technology that we have. In your planner include everything:

• Test dates from your syllabus
• Project deadlines
• Last day to drop a class
• School holidays
• Professor office hours
• Club and Organization Meetings and Events
• Doctor’s Appointments
• Football/Basketball Home Games (not required but it helps me)
• Final Exam/Midterm dates and times
• Any other event or task that you need to be aware of

Doing this will drastically reduce your stress level. It allows you to know when your “busy” weeks will be, and to plan accordingly.

3. Plan Out Each Day

Plan your days from start to finish. A great way to do this is to spend a few minutes the night before going through the day in your head. If something jumps out as important, write it down in your planner. If you write down things like “Pick up paycheck from work” you will remember it much easier.

4. Prioritize

Make sure to distinguish the goals that are truly important — such as completing a research project — from those that may seem urgent but are really not important — like organizing a softball game with your friends. Don’t spend too much time doing busy work, or work that appears productive but in reality only keeps you occupied.

The best way to do this is to rank your tasks by importance. Choose a task and compare it to the rest of the required tasks for the day and rank it. Complete the highest ranked tasks first then continue down the list until all the tasks have been completed.

What other time management techniques do you use? I would love to hear your additions in the comments!

Jay Willingham writes a college advice blog at CampusByte. His site’s main aim is to help people develop Study Skills by incorporating new technology. Photo Credit.

The links below are categorized for your convenience. They all contain social aspects, where you can touch base with students or other individuals who have the same goals.

Organization

1. Box.net: Yes, businesses use this site, and you might think about using it, too, to share content with peers, other students and even with your alumni friends. While this application is similar to GoogleDocs, you have mobile access with Box.net as well as fax agreements, the ability to print and ship using FedEx and much more. Box.net offers a free trial and a free ‘lite’ service. The next step up is less than ten dollars per month.
2. Evernote: This site is insanely easy to use…so much so that  it can become addictive. Use it to keep notes (never lose a phone number again!), save ideas and get inspired. You can snap a photo of a business card with your phone and have an easy way to store and access contacts, plan trips, research Web sites and clip pages directly from your browser and more. You even can send your tweets directly into Evernote.
3. Remember the Milk: Manage your tasks from anywhere, get your email, SMS or IM reminders, share your tasks and even mange these tasks offline. You can integrate Remember the Milk with your Google Calendar and add tasks from iGoogle or gain access from your phone. Sign up for free, take advantage of Remember the Milk apps as well as third-party widgets that have noticed the milk.
4. SpiderOak: SpiderOak offers a different approach to online backup by combining a suite of services into one consolidated tool — free online backup, synchronization, sharing, remote access, and storage. This difference is further measured in their zero-knowledge privacy policy, which is the first one ever employed in this setting. Their flexible design allows you to handle data from any operating system (Mac, Windows and Linux) or location (external drives, network volumes, USB keys, etc.) by using just one centralized account.

Save or Make Money

1. CampusBooks: While this is not the only site to buy and sell textbooks, we like this application because it uses an iPhone app, price tweets, price alerts and the ability to compare prices. Not only can you save up to 95 percent on textbooks, you have one of the largest supplies of textbooks online through this site. Be sure to sell your textbooks as soon as possible after using them…the next edition will knock the price down on your used book by as much as half or more.
2. Gradefund: Go ahead, invite mom and dad to this one as well as all the aunts, uncles, grandparents and more. They have the money, hopefully, to sponsor grade levels (as low as five dollars) and send it to schools or directly to you depending upon the sponsor’s preference. The higher your grades, the more money you or your school receives for your education. You also can look for corporate sponsorships, where you can compete for corporate funds. What better way to get noticed, well before you enter the job market?

Socialize Professionally (or not)

1. LinkedIn: Ah, this site is for adults, right? Right. It’s a great way to begin networking for your career even while you attend college classes. Sign up for free and begin to browse through contacts. Get introduced, but only after you fill out your profile page completely with a resume, references and more. Use widgets to tie your social life into your professional life, but make this connection only if you want professionals to know about your social life.
2. Ning: No matter your interests or location, you can find a network here that might cater to your desire for blogging, connecting, motivation, business prospects and more. While you can create your own site, Ning already offers sites that may appeal to a busy college student. You can stay in touch with people at home or build new relationships at your school. The sky is the limit with Ning.
3. Twitter: You may already be on Twitter. If so, take a good look at your tweets to see if they represent who you are and your aspirations. If not, then create a new account and start over. After you notify all the contacts you want to keep, you can close that previous account forever. Use Twitter to send information to your LinkedIn account, to stay on top of your Evernote stickies and to keep informed with Remember the Milk. There’s so much more you can do with Twitter…but, you know all this, right?

Training, Internships and Jobs

1. Cramster: This social networking system is not a tutoring system. It is an alternative that does not sacrifice quality. Cramster, first, is free — which makes it far different than tutoring. Even if you choose a Gold or Platinum membership, it will cost less than ten dollars per month. Get together with other students who are studying the same subjects, network at any time and provide assistance in exchange for a rewarding and memorable study experience. While you still may need tutoring, Cramster can help you smooth over those rough spots and provide you with a way to easily remember the answers for that next quiz.
2. Education Community: If you are interested in climate change, globalization, infrastructure booms and digital technology, you might want to use this site to network and to gain access to over twenty-five free downloads of the same design software used by professionals worldwide, including Autodesk. Autodesk software and educational training resources will help you learn industry trends like digital prototyping, building information modeling, digital entertainment creation and sustainable design — all being used to turn these global challenges into opportunities. Training is involved, along with a design showcase for your work. Registration to join this site is free.
3. InternshipRatings.com: Use this resource to rate, research and compare internships in various industries across the U.S. While becoming an intern is thrilling, sometimes overwhelming and challenging, it also can be a real pain. Find out which internships are the best from those who have been there, done that. You can search by location, industry or by company name to learn more for your research. Ask questions and share your own experiences to develop a network as well.
4. Zumeo: You may enjoy this career network site, where you can get matched to internships as well as jobs. Learn more about your strengths, get connected with people who can help you get ahead and get matched to relevant jobs. Build a great peer student network here so, as alumni, you can help each other out after college, too. This social site also sports recruiters, universities and employers who want to connect with you as much as you want to connect with them.

Travel

1. CouchSurfing: CouchSurfing is an international non-profit network that connects travelers with locals in over 230 countries and territories around the world since 2004. CouchSurfing members share hospitality with one another. ‘Surfers,’ or travelers, are able to participate in the local life of the places they visit. CouchSurfing has built a system of safety features to help keep their community safe. They are a self-moderating community, which means they work like a neighborhood watch program with references, verification and vouching. Of course, you always can decline and offer or a request, but this is one of the best ways for college students to travel safely alone.
2. Zimride: Zimride offers a simple way to find friends, classmates and coworkers who want to share a ride with you. The focus of this site is on college, university and corporate communities; therefore, Zimride is able to build the critical mass of users necessary to sustain Zimride as a reliable form of transportation. Safety? Zimriders can view profiles for common networks, interests and friends before deciding to share a ride. Like CouchSurfing (listed above), you always can say no, but this is one of the safest ways to share a ride around.

Contributed by CollegeStats

Using Kindle’s TextBook Version

One of the best things about Kindle is the fact that it has a TextBook version designed specifically for college students. Instead of buying entire textbooks, which can be very expensive (even for used textbooks), it is possible to to buy licenses to read them on your Kindle. This way, you avoid having to buy textbooks that are a hassle to sell before the next edition comes out.

Another benefit offered by the TextBook version is that it is possible for up to six Kindles to share one account. This means that you can all access the same materials. This makes the Kindle a powerful collaboration tool for study groups and for group projects.

And, finally, it is possible to save money on Internet access when you use the Kindle. Kindle provides free wireless access to an online dictionary, Wikipedia and limited browser functions, on top of your access to textbooks. If you have Gmail, you can even keep up with your inbox using the Kindle. This can save you money, since you don’t need to access the Internet via expensive subscriptions. You can supplement with the school’s computer labs, and use your hard earned cash for something else.

College Friendly Features of the Kindle

We’re still waiting for the Kindle 3 to emerge, but even without it, there are a number of advanced features that can help you get better value out of your Kindle as a college student, no matter the version you are using. Some of the features associated with the Kindle:

1. Free Books: Kindle offers a number of free books that you can read for free, without having to pay for a license.
2. Clipping Extractor Macro: This is for Windows, and is a macro for MS Word. It allows you to sort through the clippings.txt file in such a way that you can extract notes and highlights from a particular book. This can be very useful indeed when it comes to studying.
3. Weekly Planner: You can keep track of your weekly appointments, assignments and other important information when you use the free Kindle Weekly Planner. There is also a Kindle calendar that can help you keep track of the date, and important items of interest. Stay organized while in school, and keep track of all your due dates.
4. InstaPaper: Keep track of things you want to read later, whether you are doing research or just looking for something interesting to read in your down time. You can save web pages for later, bookmarking items that might be important for an assignment or paper.
5. Kindle Feeder: Make sure you have access to all of your RSS feeds on your Kindle. This way, you are able to keep up with important news and information.
6. PDF support: Kindle now provides PDF support. This is very helpful to students who want to be able to peruse papers and other information in this format. You can search through a PDF, circling what you are looking for, and you can rotate the angle for better viewing.
7. Applescript: If you want to read a newspaper or magazine article that has been posted online, you can use Applescript to send it to your Kindle. This lets you save something helpful that you have come across for later, and carry it along with you. Perfect for research projects, media projects and other related homework assignments.

Kindle Resources

You want to be on top of the latest Kindle news, as well as find new ways to use your Kindle to its fullest potential. Keep track of the latest happenings, and learn a number of helpful tricks and hacks to make your Kindle more user friendly during your college experience.

1. Kindle 2 Tips + Kindle 2 Hack List: Learn a number of shortcuts, hacks and tips that can make using your Kindle a snap. Get what you need faster with the tips from this list.
2. Kindle 2: 10 Things You Should Know: Get a primer in what you need to know about the Kindle 2 from PC Magazine.
3. Kindle Buzz: Stay up to date on the latest Kindle news, looking at new features, applications and tricks to help you use your Kindle better.
4. MobileRead: This forum site can help you learn about the latest happenings in the world of Kindle, and provides helpful solutions to problems, as well as allowing you to share your insight into Kindle.
5. A Kindle World Blog: How-tos are the greatest asset on this blog. You can read about hacks, as well as learn about some of the capabilities you probably didn’t know the Kindle had.
6. Massively Parallel Procrastination: You can read about a number of hacks for use with the Kindle. Jesse Vincent also includes hacks for Perl and other technical products and services.
7. Kindle Chronicles: This is a weekly podcast that shares news and information on all things Kindle. You can get helpful insights on using your Kindle, solving problems, and get updates on new versions.

Customer Support

If you are looking for some customer service and support, you can go right to the source. Here are some resources that can help you connect with people who can help you solve your Kindle related problems.

1. Amazon Kindle Support: This help site can help you find answers to your problem on your own, or put you in contact with specialists who can help.
2. Kindle Helpdesk: Sort through common problems and learn how to fix them, as well as get the latest news and information.
3. GetSatisfaction.com: This site offers community-based customer support for the Kindle, and provides interesting discussions.

Contributed by OnlineUniversityRankings.org

1. Southern University. This university in Louisiana was rocked by scandal in March of 2003 when it was discovered that an assistant registrar had changed grades for 541 students and had been doing so since 1995. The assistant registrar had been charging students hundreds of dollars to change their grades in about 2,500 illegal transactions. The story broke when a young woman presented herself as a graduate of the school, but the school could find no record of her earning a degree. It was later determined that several students “earned” fake Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees and teaching certifications.
2. Fuqua School of Business. Duke’s Fuqua School of Business discovered that 34 of the first-year students in the Master of Business program collaborated on a take-home exam. The professor of the class had also noticed similarities on assignments that had been turned in earlier that semester. Nine students were expelled, 15 were suspended for a year and failed the class, nine more failed the class, and the remaining student earned a failing grade on an assignment. The scandal brought notoriety to the fact that cheating in business school is extremely common and left many wondering about the future of business with leaders at the helm who have few qualms about cheating.
3. Florida State University. Several football players at Florida State were implicated in a cheating scandal in late 2007. Two tutors who worked with the players were accused of giving the players the answers to online tests. 25 players admitted to receiving assistance on a music class test. One of the tutors also supposedly completed quizzes and typed papers for players. The other tutor admitted he had been providing answers for the online tests since the fall semester in 2006. It was later determined that 61 athletes from all Florida State athletics (including the 25 football players) were involved in the cheating scandal. The wins that happened during those two years are still being contested and will likely be stripped from the school.
4. University of Minnesota. In another athletic department cheating scandal, the day before the University of Minnesota Gophers were going to play in the NCAA tournament, a story broke in which a former basketball office manager claimed she had written over 400 papers for over 20 basketball players over several years. Four players were suspended and the team lost the game in the tournament. It was later discovered that the coach Clem Haskins paid $3,000 to the office manager for her paper-writing services. Coach Haskins resigned. Ironically, he was originally hired to clean up the team, which had been involved in a sexual assault scandal.
5. University of Virginia. It seems that most cheating scandals happen at the undergraduate level (except at Duke’s business school, of course), but the scandal at University of Virginia revolved around first-year economics graduate students. A student discovered an answer key online to the questions assigned from a text book in a core class. This student shared the discovery and a large number of the approximately 30 students used the information to complete their assignments. Because the incident occurred during the summer, the committee that deals with student cheating was not in session, providing an opportunity for some students to leave the school without punishment.
6. West Virginia University. The highly publicized case of Heather Bresch may be one of the most scandalous incidents of cheating. Bresch was the COO of Mylan Inc. and is the daughter of the governor of West Virginia. It was determined in 2008 that she did not actually earn the MBA that was awarded to her by WVU. Apparently Bresch was 22 hours short of earning the degree and had claimed credit for it for years. When she was appointed COO, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette made a call to the university to verify the MBA. What followed was a series of cover-ups that eventually resulted in the resignation of both the Provost and the business school dean.
7. Diablo Valley College. Over 70 students at Diablo Valley College (both current and former students at the time of the scandal) were found to have paid student employees up to $600 to change their grades. Officials determined that about 400 grades were changed over seven years. After the news of the cheating broke, the story became even more scandalous when it was discovered that some students had actually exchanged sex for grade changes.
8. Los Angeles Trade Technical College. Approximately 30 students from three community colleges were investigated when registrars began to notice a trend of transcripts from students that had transferred from Los Angeles Trade Technical College. The transcripts had all As and Bs on them, but the students were earning Ds and Fs at the new schools. When officials began investigating, they discovered that the students had all faked their transcripts for admission to the community colleges. The technical college was not implicated in any wrong-doing as it was later determined that the whole scam had been done by students.
9. Virginia Commonwealth University. This university has the dubious distinction of being involved in two scandals within two months. First, the New York Times broke a story on the a contract between Philip-Morris and the university that would not allow the university to publish or even talk about any research they were doing for the tobacco giant. Then, an anonymous tipster, working under the name “Harry Potter,” sent letters to several journalists and the VCU board stating that the former police chief, who claimed a Bachelor’s degree from VCU, did not actually complete a specific degree requirement. After an investigation, it was determined that while the former police chief had earned 6 credits at VCU, it was short from the required 30 credits he should have earned in order to receive the degree. Once the scandal broke, the administrators at the school decided not to rescind the degree–to the surprise of many.
10. Indiana University School of Dentistry. In 2007, several second-year students, almost half the class, were charged with cheating on an exam. Apparently one or more students hacked into password-protected files to gain access to information on an exam. They then shared this information with others. One of the students tipped off the professor, resulting in a two-month investigation. After nine students were dismissed, six were suspended, and 21 got letters of reprimand, the students appealed. All the dismissals were overturned, 24 students were suspended, and 18 received letters of reprimand.

Contributed by OnlineDegreePrograms.org

1. Natural Ice

2. Olde English 800 – Okay, let’s go ahead and include ALL other so-called “malt liquors” including Mickey’s, Hurricane Ice, Big Bear, Colt 45, and whatever that other green shit is that they sell at 7/11 stores. Take all the judgements mentioned above but tack on “cheapass” and you will inch closer to the type of reputation you will radiate by drinking this crap. And you thought vodka was the poor man’s drink…

3. Busch – The only beer that gives you the shits immediately after consumption. At least they deserve a medal for something.

4. Pabst Blue Ribbon - Normally I’d chalk up PBR to the likes of Budweiser, Coors, and Miller – mediocre, but doable. But the fact that the entire goddamn world of hipsters and douchebags has revived this shitty beer into some sort of trendy beverage disgusts me. Jesus Christ, seriously? Why can’t all you indie kids just stick to Red Stripe, which is at least somewhat decent?

4. Old Milwaukee, Milwaukee’s Best, Etc – I don’t know what the hell kind of city Milwaukee is, but I’m putting my money on “shithole” based on the fact that any beer with Milwaukee in it’s name smells like a vagina in the middle of a rancid yeast infection.

5. MGD 64, and all other “low calorie” beers – Only in America could beer companies like Miller who are already selling pure piss figure out a way to water things down further and STILL come out with a profit. Applies to Coors Aspen Edge, Sleeman Clear Lager, and dozens more.

6. Bud Light Lime, Bud Light Chelada - Holy hell. The only thing worse than drinking pee is drinking spicy sour pee. You’d think that instead of masking the lack of flavor with fragrances that closely resemble stomach acid, these “breweries” might try to… nope. Nevermind.

7. Fruity Beers  - Before you post some gay-ass comment about how Sam Adams Cherry Wheat is “kinda good actually!” let me just shut you up right there. I don’t give a rat’s. There are some things that simply don’t belong in a brew, no matter how shitty a company it is. Included on the list is fruit, chili (i.e. Cave Creek Chili Beer), coffee (i.e. Redhook Double Black Stout), and  vitamins (i.e. Winter Park Beer… WTF?). If you want to enjoy one of these bastards in the comfort and privacy of your own home, then please do so. But don’t go turning the world into a bunch of faggots in public. Please. Please.

8. Latino Beers - If your climate is too muggy to properly grow wheat and hops, and you are too poor to import quality ingredients, well, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. We’ve got Corona from Mexico, Salva Vida from Honduras,  Imperial from Costa Rica, and the list goes on and on. Pretty much all beers south of the border come in bottles that look like they were manufactured in the 1950s and taste a bit like cardboard mixed with small bits of cocaine. And no, that’s not a good thing.

9. Red Dog - When the only thing going for a beer is that when you look at their logo upside down it looks like Batman eating out Catwoman, it should be a major red flag. Although maybe not.

10. Schlitz - Just saying this word make you feel like a total faggot, or child molester, or perhaps both. Especially when its one of the only beers for sale in Provincetown, MA. It doesn’t help that its fizzier than a broken Coke fountain. You’ve been warned.

Dishonorable mention: Any beer made in Korea. (Hite, OB, etc.)

What beers would you add to or remove from this list? Comment below!

Data compiled by the non-profit College Board reveal that annual tuition fees increased by 5.9% from 2008 to 2009 in all sectors of higher education. In the context of the worst recession since the 1930s, it is noteworthy that these figures are only just up from the average 5% annual rate of increase over the past decade.

Disaggregation of the data shows that most private, non-profit four-year institutions were able to keep their fee increases to 4.4% while public four-year institutions raised their tuition between 6% and 10%.

But all economic indications suggest that these are still early days. Indeed, the fact that 48 states faced initial and mid-year budget shortfalls in December totalling $193 billion does not bode well for the public sector institutions they maintain.

For instance, the New Mexico state legislature, responding to its budget deficit of $650 million, has proposed reducing funding to higher education by an additional 4% (or $20 million) for the 2010-11 fiscal year. For the state’s network of colleges and universities, this could translate into tuition increases of 6% to resident students and of 15% for non-residents.

In hard figures, such increases for foreign students at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro would mean students would have to pay an additional $2,035 for tuition and fees next year – up to $15,603 in 2010 from $13,568 in 2009. By contrast, in-state students would pay an extra $276 ($4,883).

“Anything [domestic] students are feeling, international students will be feeling five times worse,” says Dan Thibeault, co-founder of the student loan consolidation and debt management company, Graduate Leverage.

Tuition fees are significantly higher at private institutions in the US. To attract the best and the brightest domestic and foreign students, these institutions have traditionally offered scholarships and grants financed by reaching into the hitherto deep pockets of their endowment funds.

Estimates pegged the endowment assets of most American private colleges and universities in excess of $500,000 per student in June 2008. The subsequent economic crisis, however, has caused the deflation of these funds and last year, Harvard University’s endowment shrank by $10 billion (or 30%).

A survey of institutions with assets exceeding $1 billion estimated that the average decline was 17% in 2009-10. In the absence of scholarships and grants, there are always loans.

Until last year, some of the more prestigious American business schools and graduate programmes were able to secure no-cosigner loans of up to $150,000 from private lenders, CitiAssist and Sallie Mae, to attract the top students. With the collapse of these programmes, many private institutions now stand to lose their ability to attract and nurture emerging global talent.

The irreducible fact therefore remains that as annual tuition and ancillary expenses increase, funding options will shrink. Only time will tell what the long-term impact will be on higher education.

In the short term, however, public institutions are still enjoying increased enrolments – in part because the weaker American dollar has made post-secondary education more affordable for foreign students. In particular, Chinese student numbers were up at the beginning of the 2009-10 academic year, according to the Institute of International Education report Open Doors 2009.

“It is gratifying to learn that despite the current economic hardships, international students continue to have opportunities to study and learn at our public colleges and universities,” says Muriel A Howard, President of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

According to the College Board, fees are highest in New England and lowest in the south-west. At private four-year institutions in New England, the average annual tuition fees in 2009 $32,857 compared with $22,500 in the south-west.

In the public sector, the differential was more pronounced: for public two-year institutions, students in New England would have paid about twice as much ($3,992) as those in the south-west ($1,857), while those attending four-year universities would have paid around $9,400 in New England as opposed to $6,800 in the Southwest.

The state with the greatest differential in the average cost of public and private educations is California: in 2009-10, residents could pay from $777 at the two-year Lake Tahoe Community College to $39,332 at the private four-year liberal arts Pitzer College in Claremont. On the other hand, the most expensive private institution in the US for 2009-10 is Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York, which charges annual tuition and other fees of nearly $42,000.

Original post by Sarah King Head of University World News

White noise: one of the best ways to soothe the soul of a sensitive college student.

While college can be an exciting and fruitful experience, it can also be a challenging time for Highly Sensitive People (HSPs).

As the first time when many students are living away from home, college presents many potential challenges for the HSP: -Eating dining hall food. -Living in a dormitory. -Having roommates. -Being around loud parties. -Not knowing people at first.

College is a crucial time in life and doing well, both in classes and in general life, can have large ramifications for the rest of one’s life. Yet it can be hard to succeed when overly stressed, distracted, unable to sleep well, or emotionally distraught due to issues related to being a Highly Sensitive Person.

Here are some tips that I have come up with, based on my experiences at a residential high school program and Stanford University:

Most important thing to keep in mind:

0) Your needs are valid. You are not at college to spend your time and energy learning to adapt to the lifestyles of others. You are there to do well in school and to grow in relationships, activities, self-knowledge, and other forms of development.

You might find that friends and activities you enjoy will comfortably draw you out of some aspects of your sensitivity. For instance, you might find that you don’t mind putting up with something if it means that you can enjoy something else you find that you like.

However, if any issue related to sensitivity is impairing your school performance or your ability to make the most of college, tell people about it and do something to address it!

Housing:

1) State clearly and boldly in your roommate application that the main (and perhaps only) thing you care about in a roommate is that their lifestyle will not cause undue problems given your sensitivity.

2) Depending on your needs, you might want to request a roommate who goes to bed early, doesn’t play loud music, is not a party person, etc.

3) If you know who your roommate is before school starts, email him or her in advance to ask about things that might be an issue for you given your sensitivities. In my own case, I needed the lights to be out and for there to be no laptop typing when I was sleeping.

4) If you have the option of being in a dorm with older students, such as graduate students, or living off-campus or in family housing, consider these options. Freshman dorms tend to be noisy. Ask around or look online to see how noisy different living options are and request to live somewhere that is not noisy.

5) Apply for special housing through the Disability Accommodation services. You might need a note from your doctor explaining your sensitivity issues (perhaps citing a diagnosis such as anxiety response, etc.). You might ask to live in a quiet graduate dormitory, family housing, or off-campus in a quiet location.

6) Discuss your HSP traits with your RA or residence dean in advance and ask for their advice about what to do if you encounter problems. My own RA had the idea of setting the hall lights on a darker setting at night to give people the signal to be quiet in the hall at night.

7) Wherever you live, find somewhere safe to go if there is too much noise or stimulation. I used to go into the basement tunnels where the laundry machines were. There might be a quiet park, a library, or some other quiet location near where you live which you can go to if the noise in your room becomes too loud.

Buy a fan or a white noise maker to drown out noises you don’t like.

Emotional life:

9) Consider signing up to see a campus psychologist on a regular basis to help with the transition to college. This person might be a helpful advocate or source of information regarding ways to deal with any problems that arise.

10) Find out if there are any help hotlines. Stanford had a 24-hour peer counseling hotline which I used to call when I was having trouble with noise in my dorm. Some schools have drop-in peer counseling.

11) Have a few self-care activities that you do on a regular basis, such as taking baths, taking a long walk outside, watching movies, listening to music, and being in nature.

Parties:

12) If you know that there will be a party in the place where you live, make arrangements for a back-up location for sleeping, for example with a friend, in case you are unable to sleep in your normal environment.

13) If you want to enjoy a party but can’t take the noise in the main room, try hanging out in the entryway or nearby rooms where other people might be hanging out.

14) Consult HSP literature for ideas about how to enjoy parties.

Eating:

15) If the noise and crowds at peak mealtimes are too much for you, consider eating slightly earlier or later.

16) Find friends to eat with for moral support and company.

17) If there are many different cafeterias to choose from, find those that meet your needs, such as being quiet, having the food you like and not having smells or music you don’t like, etc.

Studying:

18) It is imperative to find a location that meets your needs for studying. Determine your needs (the level of quiet, the type of chairs, the lighting, etc.) and make it a point to study in locations that fulfill those criteria. Don’t waste time studying in places that will not be comfortable or conducive to concentration.

19) You might need to look into alternative options besides the usual study places. Think about open classrooms not currently in use, libraries that don’t get much use, other rooms in libraries, etc.

20) Always carry whatever you need to make a borderline study situation more tolerable, such as earplugs, a water bottle, gum, sunglasses, relaxing music on an iPod, etc.

Professors:

21) You will likely find that your college professors treat you differently from your high school teachers. Recognize that in college, grading might be harsher, professors might be more critical, and the people running your education might not be as concerned about you as an individual. This doesn’t mean that there is anything wrong with you; it is just a different set-up of education.

22) Seek out mentors, whether professors, academic advisers, resident deans, graduate students, or university staff. Find people with whom you can have a supportive relationship.

23) Even while challenging yourself, try to find at least one thing that you can do well.

Friends:

24) Find other HSPs. With an estimated 15-20% of the population experiencing some form of heightened sensitivity, there are certain to be other people who share some of your traits and preferences. Seeing that other people feel similarly can help you to see that your needs are valid.

25) Join clubs or activities where you can meet other people with similar interests and where you can see the same people regularly so they will get to know you. When people can see what you are like overall, they will see the real you, in contrast to just seeing you when you are asking them to turn down their music, etc.

26) If your school supports students starting their own clubs, think about starting a Highly Sensitive Person club! Other HSPs might thank you.

Andrea Runyan is a writer based in Boston, Massachusetts. http://andrearunyan.webs.com/

I played a little bit of chess when I was about twelve immediately following the summer of the great challenge match between Bobby Fisher and Boris Spassky in 1972.  My lasting legacy from this is that close to forty years later I can still tell you what directions the pieces move.

When I was in college I once saw Rodney Dangerfield perform live.  He was heckled by a guy in a black and white plaid blazer and said “Nice looking jacket there pal, pawn to king-four.”  I guess that’s still my favorite chess joke.

It was with all of this in mind that I found myself impressed and proud to read in last Sunday’s New York Times that the University of Maryland Baltimore County won the Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championships and in even greater accomplishment had done so for the ninth time in fourteen years.  I was impressed for obvious reasons but also proud because I grew up in Maryland and had no idea that UMBC was such an international chess dynasty.  All I knew about this school growing up was that it’s campus hosted the now defunct Baltimore Colts training camp.

When it comes to College sports we track who’s ranked number one in football from August to January and of course the entire month of March is officially dedicated to the great institution of college basketball.  But as Rodney himself might have said, where’s the respect for the chess champions, especially when they hail from a lesser known satellite campus of a mid atlantic state best known for hardshell crabs?

Perhaps that might be explained by reading through the rest of the Times article which went on to detail much of the action in a key match between UMBC’s Sergey Erinburg and runner up University of Texas at Dallas competitor Daniel Ludwig as follows:

“Erenburg struck with 30 Rd5 because it allowed him to advance his b pawn after 30 … Rd5 31 b7. Ludwig could not play 30 … Bb1 because 31 Qe5 leads to mate. Ludwig eventually had to give up his bishop to stop the pawn.  The rest was easy, and Ludwig, facing a hopeless endgame, resigned”

You thinking what I’m thinking?  Of course, but I’ll say it anyway  -  that final sentence by the Times was completely unnecessary.  Everybody knows that 30 Rd5 when advancing your b pawn after 30 . . . Rd5 31 b7 puts your opponent in a helpless situation.  Who does the Times think we are, a bunch of chess idiots?

I’ll never really understand chess.  The set in the corner of our family room will likely always stay a decoration.  Rodney’s goof on the guy with the checkered jacket will always be my favorite quote about the game.  That having been said congrats big time to the kids and their coaches at UMBC, they’ve made anyone whoever lived in Maryland proud.

To read more about this topic and others visit http://www.soundofftoamerica.com/

Language

These facts will remind you of proper grammar, punctuation and structure.

1. Is it the “i” or the “e” first? This is a spelling question that troubles even the best spellers out there from time to time. The old rule “i before e except after c” will help you sometimes, but not in all cases. Some important addendums should include “or when sounded like a, like neighbor and weigh” and the rule should be dropped altogether when -c sounds like -sh, like in species.
2. How is a paper organized? Being able to organize an essay, research project or story is an essential part to doing well in any area of academics. While there are, of course, many subtleties, a paper should start with an introductory paragraph containing a thesis–the most important part of any essay. After this, each paragraph should have a main idea followed by information that expands on and explains these ideas. At the end, work should be tied up with a conclusion paragraph. It sounds basic, but many students let their writing become sloppier as they go along or never develop these strong fundamentals in the first place.
3. Which is the subject and which is the object? If you don’t remember which part of the sentence is which, you’re not alone. In most basic terms, you can remember that the subject is the part of the sentence that is doing something, while the object is the thing that is having something done to it. This can be helpful to know when learning a language besides English, as well.
4. What is a pronoun? Most of us know what a noun is, but do you recall what a pronoun is? Pronouns are the words that take the place of nouns in a sentence including I, she, he it, you, we and they. Using these correctly may get a bit trickier but you can find a guide here.
5. What is a homonym, antonym and a synonym. A homonym is a group of words that appear to be the same but actually have different meanings or pronunciations. An antonym refers to a word that is the opposite in meaning from another word. A synonym is a word that means the same or similar as another word.
6. What is the correct way to use commas? Commas aren’t alone in often being used incorrectly. Semi-colons, hyphens and colons are frequently used incorrectly as well. If you find it hard to remember to use these elements of speech correctly, reference a guide like this until you can commit it to memory.
7. What’s the difference between its and it’s? Find yourself often mixing these two up? You’re certainly not alone but there’s an easy way to remember which is the right word for the situation. Simply remind yourself that “it’s” is a contraction of the words “it is.” If the expanded form of those words doesn’t make sense in your sentence, then you know to use “its” rather than “it’s”.
8. How can you tell if a sentence is too long or too short? Sentences can either be a run-on or a fragment. You can determine if your sentence is a run-on by simply turning it into a yes or no question. If it makes sense, you’re doing ok. If not, you need to add some kind of conjunction or separate it into two sentences. A fragment on the other hand is simply an incomplete sentence that doesn’t make sense on it’s own. You can usually fix these by adding them back onto the main sentence to which they refer.
9. What are a verse, stanza and paragraph? If you can’t answer this question, it might be a good idea to refresh your memory on how writing is organized. In most cases, a verse is a single line of poetry, though more loosely it is a series of words arranged metrically. A stanza is a group of these verses, usually composed of four or more that work together in a poem or a song. A paragraph, on the other hand, is a division within a written work that focuses on a particular idea found in prose rather than poetic works.
10. What things need to be capitalized? While you’re probably aware that things like names, titles and other proper nouns need to be capitalized, are you aware of what parts of a book title should be capitalized or whether or not to capitalize the names of the seasons? Here you’ll find information on just about everything you should or shouldn’t put into caps.

Social Studies

At a loss when it comes to recalling basic social studies and history information? These facts will help you remember.

1. What are the state capitals? Unless you use this information regularly, it’s easy to forget what the capital of far flung states are. It can be good to know these kinds of things, however, so use this online table to review. If you get ambitious, learn the capitals of other countries as well.
2. What are longitude and latitude? Do you remember which is which? Longitudinal lines are those that go around the globe vertically (you can remember them as being long like hair) and latitudinal lines are those that go around horizontally like the equator. These lines allow every place on earth to be specified using just three coordinates and aid in navigation.
3. What factors led to the Revolutionary War? Taxation without representation is a phrase you should remember from your elementary education days. Taxes imposed on the colonies by the British on goods like sugar and documents enraged the public who felt that if they were gong to be taxed they should at least have some kind of representation in the British Parliament. These factors, among many much more complex issues, led the early American people to revolt against British rule.
4. How are laws made? Not sure how the regulations we have came to be? The process takes a little explaining so you can read about it here or watch the classic Schoolhouse Rocks video of how a bill gets made into a law.
5. What are the branches of the government and what do they do? The government is composed of three branches: the legislative, the judicial and the executive. The legislative branch is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. These individuals are responsible for debating, proposing and signing bills into law. The judicial branch refers to the court system, headed up by the Supreme Court. This branch decides how to apply the laws, whether or not they are constitutional and how they should be interpreted. Finally, the executive branch is composed of the president, vice president, cabinet members and various other supporting institutions. This branch carries out laws, suggests new ones and runs national defense and foreign policies.
6. What is Manifest Destiny? This term, coined in the 19th century, refers to the belief that Americans were destined, perhaps even divinely so, to expand across the continent from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. This term was used to justify the harsh, and often violent, means implemented in an effort to bring the rest of North America under US control.
7. What are the major amendments to the Constitution? The first ten amendments to the Constitution are collectively known as the Bill of Rights. These include the right to free speech, the right to bear arms, the right to trial, and many more basic freedoms we often take for granted. Other important amendments include the 13th which abolished slavery, the 15th which gave non-whites the right to vote, the 19th giving women the right to vote, the 22nd limiting the president to two terms, and the 18th and 21st prohibiting (and then allowing) the sale and consumption of alcohol.
8. What were the 13 original colonies? The 13 colonies were Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, Virginia, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
9. What are the names of the Great Lakes? The Great Lakes are composed of five large bodies of water: Erie, Huron, Michigan, Superior and Ontario, containing a whopping 5 percent of the world’s fresh water.
10. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? While there were several contributors to this piece of writing, the primary author was Thomas Jefferson, using the statement to declare that the 13 colonies were no longer under the rule of the British Empire.

Science

Even if you’re not heading into a science field in college, these facts will kick start your memory when it comes to understanding the world around you.

1. Why do the seasons change? If you ask most people, they’ll say it has something to do with the Earth’s distance from the sun. However, this is actually not why the seasons occur. The real reason is that the Earth spins on a tilted axis, causing different parts of the Earth to point towards the sun at different times of the year. This allows more sun to reach these areas at a more direct angle, causing the warmer and cooler temperatures that we experience as the seasons.
2. What’s the difference between mitosis and meiosis? Mitosis it is the basic way that cells of all kinds reproduce, creating two cells from one that are identical copies of the original parent cell. Meiosis on the other hand, is what happens in gamete or sex cells, producing cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell and creating four cells from the original one.
3. What the heck do mitochondria do? You may have forgotten the parts of the cell, but the mitochondria is an important component, providing your cells with the energy they need to do what a cell needs to do, often being referred to as the powerhouse of the cell.
4. How are animal and plant cells different? Animal and plant cells are alike in many ways but have some key differences that allow them to create such a diverse group of organisms. One difference is the lack of a thick cell wall in animal cells. Plants need this cell wall to keep from bursting. Perhaps the biggest difference between plant and animal cells is their source of energy. Plants gather light from the sun and convert it to energy through photosynthesis, while animal cells use sugars and other substances that they consume to power themselves. Additionally, plant and animal cells differ in the size, shape and number of their vacuoles, and plant cells tend to have a set shape while animal cells can differ greatly.
5. What are the phases of the moon? The moon starts off at the new moon where no light is visible. From there it grows through the waxing crescent, first quarter, and waxing gibbous into a full moon. After a full moon, the light dwindles through the waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent back to the new moon.
6. What are the types of clouds? While there are many subdivisions of clouds, the main types are: cumulus (the puffy, fluffy clouds); stratus (horizontal, layered clouds); and cirrus (wispy, feathery clouds). Add the word “nimbus” onto any of these to denote a cloud that produces rain, hail or snow.
7. What is the order of the planets? While many of us learned that there are nine planets, today there are only eight, as Pluto is no longer included. The remaining eight comprise of: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
8. How does weather work? Weather is a complex thing, but something that students begin learning about in school from an early age. Watch the animation found on this site to learn why weather changes or stays the same. You can also refresh your memory on the water cycle here.
9. How do we know the Earth’s crust isn’t solid? While the ground you’re standing on might seem solid, any fifth grader can tell you that it’s simply an arrangement of plates making up the outer crust. We can see and feel these plates move through earthquakes and can look back in history to find that the continents themselves have moved around over millions of years.
10. How does gravity work? While there are two different interpretations of gravity (Einstein’s and Newton’s), we’ll stick with the basics here. Gravity is the natural tendency for objects with mass to attract one another. In our case, this object is Earth, which, in being much larger than us, pulls us to the ground and keeps us firmly earth bound.
11. What’s osmosis? As a kid you probably hoped you could learn through this process rather than doing your homework, but you may have long since forgotten the meaning. Osmosis is the process by which water is diffused into a cell body through a semi-permeable membrane, moving water from an area of high saturation to one of low saturation, much like a sponge picking up a spill or water seeping into a basement.
12. How do reflexes work? A reflex is an involuntary reaction that your body has in response to a stimulus, like pulling your hand away from a hot surface. Reflexes are controlled by the spinal cord, which takes over, sending a message to your muscle via the nerves that tells it to react. Reflexes can include things like coughing, breathing and sneezing as well.
13. What is the scapula? The scapula is the scientific name for the shoulder blade, one of 206 bones in the human body.
14. What are the steps of the scientific method? If you want to figure something out using science, you’d follow these steps of the scientific method: ask a question, do research, form a hypothesis, test your hypothesis with an experiment, analyze your data and draw a conclusion, and finally, report your results.
15. Who laid out the Laws of Motion? The Laws of Motion (regarding force, inertia and other basics of physics) were laid out by Sir Isaac Newton in 1687 and form the foundation of classical mechanics.
16. What are the parts of an atom? There are three components to an atom: the protons (positively charged particles); the neutrons (particles with no charge); and numerous electrons (the negatively charged particles).

Math

Make sure math is still fresh in your mind by going over these grade school facts.

1. How to determine the volume, area and circumference of a shape. Here you’ll find the basic formulae needed to solve these problems–good things to know even if you don’t calculate them daily.
2. How many feet are in a mile? American students have it rough using measurements that are hard to remember because they’re so oddly numbered. There are 12 inches in a foot, three feet in a yard, 1760 yards in a mile. That means there’s a whopping 5280 feet to a mile.
3. What are the different types of numbers? There are several different groups numbers can fall into. Natural numbers (the counting numbers), whole numbers (add a zero to the natural numbers), and integers (this group throws negatives into the mix as well). Additionally, there are rational numbers (integers with the addition of fractions) and irrational (numbers that can’t be represented as fractions like pi and some square roots). Of course, there are other groups as well, but these are the basics.
4. What is a prime number? In math-speak, a prime number is a number that has two integer factors, one and itself. More plainly speaking, it’s a number that can’t be divided evenly by any number other than one and itself. Some examples of prime numbers are 2, 3, 5, 7, and 11, though the list goes on and on.
5. Just what is the order of operations? This order can be remembered as PEMDAS: parentheses, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction. This order will allow you to get the correct answer when working with complex equations.
6. What’s a mean, median, mode and range? The mean is the average of a group of numbers, the median is the middle value in a list of numbers put in numerical order, the mode is the most commonly occurring number and the range is the difference between the largest and smallest values in the list.
7. What are the types of triangles? Triangles can be put into several categories: right (having one right angle); equilateral (all angles are 60 degrees); isosceles (having two equal angles and two equal sides); scalene (having no sides the same); acute (all angles are less than 90 degrees); and obtuse (the triangle has one angle larger than 90 degrees).
8. What happens when you multiply two negatives? Negative numbers can get tricky. When you multiply two of them, you should end up with a positive number. Additionally, when you subtract a negative number from any other number the negative number is treated as an addition of a positive one.
9. Can you divide by zero? Hopefully you remembered you cannot divide by zero. Any attempt to divide by zero, even to divide zero by zero, results in an undefined result that isn’t much use to anyone.

The Arts

Here you’ll find the basics for music and the arts.

1. What are the notes on the scale? The basic notes on a scale are C, D, E, F, G, A and B in that order, though there are sharps, flats and other variations to these notes.
2. What are the types of notes? Chances are good that you used these notes in a childhood music class, but you may have forgotten them, unless you still play an instrument. The basic types of notes are whole, half, quarter, eighth and sixteenth which you can see in this picture. Each type of note tells you how many of it will appear in each measure.
3. What is the style of art Picasso is best known for? Picasso worked his way through a variety of artistic styles in his decades of production but is perhaps best known for his work with Cubism. Cubism distorts space and forms, leaving works that often have recognizable elements that have been twisted and fractured.
4. What is the difference between high and bas-relief? These represent different levels of relief. High relief art stands out from its surface, often having elements that are not attached at all. Bas relief on the other hand, is an extremely low relief, barely standing out on the surface.
5. What are complementary colors? The basic colors on the color wheel are red, blue, yellow, purple, orange and green. Of these colors, the complementary ones are those that opposite to one another–blue and orange, red and green and yellow and purple. When two complementary colors are mixed they create a neutral color like gray or black.

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