In addition to Marx and Shakespeare, undergraduate students must be equipped with important knowledge, like, the subtle art of scheduling classes around nap time."1. Freshman orientation allows students to meet friends, explore campus, and get a glimpse of the next four years.No Major. But because these sessions are designed by the school, valuable information is sometimes sacrificed in favor of protocol or special interests. No Problem! Your major as an entering college freshman doesn't matter as much as you think it does. Here are five things that every incoming freshman should know—even if they're not covered in orientation: 1.In fact, in most cases it doesn't lock you in to anything. Hang onto your check book.If you are unsure of what you want to major in as a freshman, it's OK—most college students will change their major at least once. Students can spend a fortune on books, and at the end of the semester, bookstores will only buy them back (at a fraction of the price) if that particular edition is slated for reuse.You can use your freshman year as a time to explore, taking classes in subjects you never thought about studying before to help you hone in on what you want to do with your life. Hold off on buying books until you have attended each of your classes.Look at college as an opportunity to expand your knowledge and build upon your interests. Some instructors don't even assign a book, and used copies or rentals are often available at a discount. 2. Also, some students share or swap books with other students in their classes to save money.Your Advisor is an Important Resource Your school will provide you with a catalog of courses offered, the prerequisites and requirements needed for each class and major, and requirements you must satisfy in order to graduate. 2.If you have a question that goes beyond the catalog, or just need a little guidance, go to your advisor—they can help you with any scheduling or course selection questions you may have. 3. Get out of your shell.The Truth about Textbooks There are two simple rules to follow when it comes to textbooks: Don't buy your textbooks too early. If you're a shy or introverted student, you may dread the thought of introducing yourself to new people. Save money by buying and selling online (or, buy used books at your campus bookstore). But rest assured that there are things you can (and should) do—like leaving your dorm room door open when you're in or joining a political club—to get yourself in the habit. Many schools claim that you are required to buy all of the textbooks assigned on the syllabus each semester. Remember that the friendships you form in college can be life-changing and lifelong.However, just because it's written on paper doesn't mean that you're actually going to use it enough to get your money's worth. 3.Every student learns differently and every professor teaches differently. ...

For collegiate athletes, playing a sport began as fun and turned into a passion."While your student may be the star of his or her high school sports scene, in college, it could be a different story. If you are one of the lucky few who can take their passion to the next level, it will be a challenge to strike a balance between athletics and academics, but a worthwhile one.The fastest, strongest, and fiercest competitors from high schools around the nation will be trying out for a coveted few positions, and not everyone can make the team. Most athletic departments have guidelines about how athletes must notify professors about athletic schedules and missed classes.Even without being the next pro pick, there are countless ways that your student can stay in the game. Varsity Teams From archery to ice hockey to sailing, colleges offer a wide array of sports far beyond the typical basketball-baseball-soccer high school trio. It is best to give your professor your athletic schedule and the days you may miss at the beginning of the semester.No matter what sports your student tries out for, expect rigorous practice schedules and little to no weekends off during play season. Many professors are flexible, but do not take advantage of their understanding.Members of the varsity teams are expected to train hard together, uphold a reasonable standard of conduct and academic performance, and travel during the season to other colleges and universities to compete. Make sure you turn in assignments in on time.Unlike high school “after school” practices, some varsity sports teams practice up to six or even seven times per week, sometimes twice per day, in order to stay at their physical best. You may want to find a “buddy” in class so that you can get notes from classes you miss.Athletic scholarships, work-study programs, and generous financial aid packages can help ease the economic pressure of higher education, but balancing class and practice can still be tricky. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sets regulations aimed at keeping athletes eligible.If your student chooses to try out, check into how much of a time commitment the team requires. Intramural Teams A great place to meet people, intramural teams are the laid-back counterpart to varsity sports. However, in the end, it is the student's responsibility to remain in good standing on and off the field.Designed for fun, intramural teams provide an opportunity for students, and sometimes faculty and staff, to get their kicks through sports. The NCAA has a GPA minimum of 2.No try-outs, no coaches, and considerably less time commitment, intramural teams are about playing much more so than winning. 1 for eligibility, but some schools or coaches may set a higher GPA minimum.With activities like dodge ball, aikido, inner tube water polo, and paintball, intramural teams are more about having fun, meeting friends, and getting fit than competition. ...

Studying abroad can be an exciting part of any college career."So you've made the choice to leave your university for a semester or two and venture out into an unknown culture. It is an opportunity to see beyond what a tourist usually sees and understand another country's culture, economy, and people—all while learning about yourself.In addition to getting used to a new place and new food, you have to get used to something else: a new language. However, before you embark on your trip, there is a lot to consider so you can make the most of your experience.But don't worry—a record number of American college students like you are recognizing that international study is an essential part of preparing for a successful career in a global world and are becoming more adventurous as they choose to study abroad in non-English-speaking destinations. First, you need to decide what kind of program you would like to do—full immersion or island program. According to Open Doors 2006, an annual report on international education published by the Institute of International Education, approximately 206,000 U.S. For a full immersion program, you enroll in a foreign university, and classes will be taught in your host country's language.students studied abroad in the 2005–2006 academic year, an increase of eight percent from the previous year. In an island program, you may be at a foreign university, but you take courses taught in English with other Americans.But a large portion of these students isn't just headed to Canada or Britain anymore—the latest surge is to destinations in Asia and South America. The length and cost of a program are also important to consider. With the United Kingdom still the most popular destination on the list for students to study abroad in (followed by Italy, Spain, and France), there were major increases in the number of students headed to China, Argentina, Brazil, and India. Programs can be as long as a year or as short as two weeks.Both China (now number eight on the list of leading destinations for American students and the only Asian country in the top ten) and India provide useful languages and cultural skills for students' future careers. Some people find that they can only be away from home a few weeks, while others need a few months or a year to immerse themselves in the culture. The U.S. You may think that a shorter program is cheaper, but this is not always true.Department of State helps U.S. For instance, the cost-per day of a summer program can be higher than a semester program.students gain access to international experiences. Review all costs to see what a program includes.Opportunities through the Fulbright U.S. Programs may seem cheap, but they may actually include very little.Student Program, the Gilman Scholarships for undergraduates with financial need, and the new National Security Language Initiative, which is focused on learning a new language. ...

If traditional study abroad programs seem too tame for you, how about taking courses with the rolling sea as your background and foreign lands as your classrooms."Healthy kids have the best chance to become healthy adults. Educational programs that take place on a ship at sea are a popular way to learn about distant lands and cultures while earning credit and having a truly unique experience.Risk factors for chronic illnesses like heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis can have their roots in childhood. Keeping your child physically active helps promote long-term health. The most well-known school-at-sea education program is probably Semester at Sea, a program run by the Institute for Shipboard Education and academically sponsored by the Center for International Studies at the University of Pittsburgh.Kids who get regular physical activity have better cardiovascular fitness, stronger bones and muscles, lower body fat and perhaps even fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression. Kids between the ages of 4 and 6 can benefit from unstructured play and exploration under your watchful eye. Each fall and spring semester, this floating university takes more than 600 students on a voyage around the world on board the Explorer, a 24,000-ton ship that includes classrooms, a computer lab, a student union, two dining rooms, a swimming pool, and a fitness center.Good activities for healthy kids in this age include running, playing catch or swimming. Students can choose a 100-day, full-semester voyage that circles the globe, or a 65-day regional program.Unstructured play outdoors or a walk through the neighborhood park are great ways to introduce younger children and toddlers to an active lifestyle. Through age 9, children will start to acquire skills in certain sports or activities. More than 70 accredited courses are available, and all credits should be transferable to your home school.Organized sports can be introduced, but they should focus on fun rather than winning. Throughout the junior high years, kids will fine-tune their skills and may want to become active in competitive sports. Classes are held daily while the ship is at sea, and when in port, students can choose from a wide range of activities, from home stays with local families to visits to historic sites.Weight training under supervision can sometimes be started at this age. The frequency, intensity, length and mix of activities are important. Other shipboard educational programs actually focus on marine science and seamanship, although they promote other disciplines as well.Also, look for activities that help build healthy bones. Sea-mester of Sarasota, Florida, offers 80-day semester voyages as well as 40- and 20-day Mini-mesters during the summer.These are the weight-bearing exercises like running and jumping. You can earn college credits while guiding an 88-foot schooner or 46-foot catamaran throughout the islands of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean.The greatest gains in bone mass happen just before and during puberty. The program focuses on oceanography and nautical science, as well as the development of communication and leadership skills.Most of a person's peak bone mass is reached by the end of the teen years. Be a role model Parents are the best role models. ...

Are you interested in learning the Italian language right in your own hometown."No doubt about it—some of the best experiences at college are the friendships you'll form. There are several options that you can explore to find the Italian classes that are just perfect for you! First, you should consider whether you would you enjoy the interaction that takes place among students in group classes, or if you would prefer the one-on-one attention of a private instructor.You'll be making new friends probably every year, including lifelong friends, maybe even people from around the world. 1. But what about your buds who helped you through earlier stages of your life, from braces to break-ups. Group classes at community colleges: One way to learn Italian in your hometown is to find a community college that offers Italian classes in your area. How do you keep those friendships strong. The internet can be an invaluable resource and with a few clicks of the mouse you can identify exactly where there are Italian language courses available. Here are some tips... ""Tend to the fire."" You can't go away for even a semester and expect to pick up with friends when you return home if you haven't kept the friendships going. For example, if you live in the U.Like a campfire, a friendship can die—so e-mail or phone your hometown friends at least every couple of weeks. Share but listen. S.It's fun to tell old friends about your new life, but don't forget to ask about their new experiences, too. you can go to www.Make sure you're the person with whom they still want to share. Avoid too much talk about new friends. community-college.You'll definitely want to tell hometown friends about your campus friends, but be careful to not overdue. Try not to compare friends—even to yourself. org, where you will find a complete directory of all of the community colleges throughout the country.Don't minimize old friendships by always thinking new ones are better. Arrange for a campus visit. Many of them offer evening or even online classes! Simply pick the college or colleges that can be found near you and check out their curriculum.After you have gotten settled, have hometown friends come for a visit; it's best when just one or two friends come. 2.Make sure they feel welcome by having specific plans for the weekend. Group classes at a private school or institution: Another approach would be to find an independent language school where you can take group lessons.Show them your campus, and introduce them to your new friends—but always get caught up with their lives, too. Understand that you're changing—and so are your hometown friends. Do you have a Berlitz near you.""Sometimes when students go home on break, they think life will be like they left it, but that's a fantasy,"" points out Fran Pollock, a counselor at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania. How about an Inlingua Center.""You might have a grief reaction when you realize that your support network isn't the same. ...