Staff Editor
Articles by this Author
Principles To Engage Teenager's Interest In Financial Literacy
- By Staff Editor
- Published 02/13/2007
- Teens
- Unrated
How the three principles that I have share the last time help you in engaging your teen’s interest in financial literacy?
Below are the other three principles that help to engage or re-engage teens in the interest of financial literacy strategies.
1. This principle teaches us that we must talk to the kids in the interest of their financial ideas and not ours. When trying to motivate children to learn don’t think about what you want. Think about what they want and help them get it by offering them opportunities and options.
2. Be prepared to relinquish power or delegate whenever possible or in other words throw the teens a challenge. For safety, you have to be careful what decisions you allow them to make and how far down the wrong path you’ll let them go before they get into trouble. But if you can stand the nerves, let them set off in the wrong directions for a while before they discover for themselves that your experience would have saved them
3. Be genuine and keenly interested in sharing great new financial tips with your family and when your children come to you with new ideas, return their excitement. Treat the negative experiences as learning opportunities.
I do hope that the 6 principles that I have shared will help you to create your teen’s interest in financial literacy.
These principles will help you to engage your teens as our own parents weren’t able to pass their financial knowledge and skill base to us. Please do not feel embarrassed about having holes in our own financial literacy because you’ll be learning new things from your teens as they progress through each challenge. It is my hope that this discovery with your teenagers will help you rediscover your own aspiration for financial literacy.
The important thing in learning is that you must HAVE FUN
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christina_Hue
5 Travel Safety Tips
- By Staff Editor
- Published 02/13/2007
- Travel
- Unrated
Traveling can be fun and exciting if you are heading to a favorite destination. There are also many people who have to travel for business. Whatever your reason for traveling, there are a few things that you should be mindful of in order to keep you safe while away from home.
Transportation If you are flying, make sure you keep all of your personal items with you at all times. Make sure your luggage is clearly marked and try to collect your luggage as soon as it enters the carousel so that someone else does not take it. You should also try to use quality pieces, such as Samsonite luggage, so you do not have to worry about your bags breaking. Find out which taxis are safe to travel in by checking with the information desk at the airport or with a police officer. Do not share taxis with people you do not know. Try to avoid public transportation late at night if you are unsure where you are going. Do not hitch hike.
Hotels You will want to ensure that your hotel is in a good area. When you check in, take note of where the emergency exits are. Don’t open your door to a stranger and do not invite strangers to your hotel room. Make sure you lock your door and use the chain at night.
Clothing You should try to dress so it does not appear that you are a tourist. Don’t wear expensive accessories. Keep your money in a case that is worn near your body. Do not put anything you can’t afford to lose in your pocket or purse.
Looking like a Tourist While it is often fine to be a tourist, in some areas it is best not to stand out. If you need to look at a map, step inside of a store or restaurant. Try to avoid being out late at night or in areas that are not well populated.
General Safety If you are traveling overseas, make sure you know the number to the embassy. Use the ATM during the day and try to avoid using cash whenever possible. Stay hydrated and make sure you have any essential medications with you at all times. Even if you are traveling alone, someone should be aware of your travel plans and be able to reach you.
Traveling does not have to be a risky proposition. These are just some things to think of while you are out and about. If you keep them in the back of your mind and use common sense, you should be able to enjoy your trip without any incidents.
Natalie aranda writes about travel. If you are flying, make sure you keep all of your personal items with you at all times. Make sure your luggage is clearly marked and try to collect your luggage as soon as it enters the carousel so that someone else does not take it. You should also try to use quality pieces, such as Samsonite luggage, so you do not have to worry about your bags breaking. Find out which taxis are safe to travel in by checking with the information desk at the airport or with a police officer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Natalie_Aranda
Relationship Wake Up Call
- By Staff Editor
- Published 02/13/2007
- Relationships
- Unrated
Have you been in relationships, and you knew that you were not receiving the love that you deserved? Are you in a relationship right now and you know in your heart that the other person is not providing you with the love that you are giving out? Perhaps you feel as if the relationship is not steady, you may even feel that you are the one responsible for any problems regarding your partner showing love to you and you are not sure what to do. Do you wonder if you are paranoid or over-critical, maybe you have been told that you are too emotional or need to much attention? Most probably, you are not. Most likely the other person in the relationship is, sadly, playing a game with your emotions.
It is crucial to our emotional health, that when sending out love to another person, that we are receiving that love back to us. When in a relationship, if this element is not present, it can wreak havoc on our emotional state and present problems at work, our personal life and our relationships with others. Understanding the signs that you are in an unbalanced relationship is the vital key to then guiding you to learning how to deal with this situation.
Let us take into account the elements that should and must be present for a relationship to be strong, steady and healthy. At the top of one’s list, should be love, trust, understanding, respect, concern for our well-being, and kindness. Accepting anything less, is settling and will never allow you to obtain a truly loving and healthy relationship. Not acknowledging their behavior will never lead you to a good place.
The other person in the relationship can display a large range of actions and words that prove that they are not giving you what you deserve. When in love with another person, it is sometimes easy to overlook these unpleasant and unneeded qualities. However, if you care about yourself, you will take a moment to see if these apply to you. Accepting and recognizing the treatment you are receiving is the crucial step you must take, to overcome this oppression and have the life that you deserve.
A partner may say that they miss you, but do they go for a day or two and not think to call you? A partner may say that they are very busy and cannot be in contact for a certain amount of time. Do you really believe that in today’s world of communication, that one cannot be in contact with another? Even if a person is busy, with work or whatnot, someone who loves you, will find three to five minutes in a 24-hour period to call, instant message or text you, to say, “I love you”. Does your partner sometimes seem irritated if you call them? A person, who truly cares about you, will take that moment that you call and cherish it. Your call is to contact them, expressing your love and to stay in touch. If faced with a voice that displays dissatisfaction of your contact, do you really think that the other person is showing concern for your feelings?
When the other person in the relationship makes a promise to you, a simple promise of a phone call or a more serious promise that will affect you in a more substantial way, do they not follow through on what they told you? A person who is capable of making you a promise, only to “forget” it, or not care to complete it, is showing you that they are not trustworthy. Do you think you deserve to be with someone, who is demonstrating to you that they cannot be trusted? When in a loving, serious relationship, it is imperative that you both show each other that trust is solid and strong. A violation of this trust breaks all bonds of being able to take the other person’s word for gold.
When you express concern to your partner of the treatment you are receiving, usually in an attempt to hopefully have their conduct stop, do they talk down to you? Do they tell you “you are starting problems”? Do they dismiss what you are saying and try to turn around your words, and end up making you feel wrong for bringing up the subject? They will play this game. Do you really wish to join this game? When faced with the accusation of mistreating you, they become defensive, and will grasp at any answer they can think of, to mislead you away from the problem.
If any of the above applies to you, it is plain and simple. The other person is proving to you what type of person they are. They are not even trying to hide their faults. They are blatantly showing you who they are. It is almost as if they are shouting from a rooftop, for the whole world to hear, “I treat my partner badly and with no respect or caring”. Every day that you accept their conduct, you are silently telling this other person that their behavior is acceptable to you. For each day that you choose to agree to this behavior, call this person only to be talked to rudely, stay in a relationship with this person, you are shouting from a rooftop, “Treat me badly, it is ok”.
Life is short. Being single is not easy. Finding true love can be difficult indeed. Despite these facts, if you are in a situation in which you are being treated unfairly, not receiving the love that you deserve and not being appreciated, it is time to ask yourself a question. Do you care enough about yourself; do you have enough self-respect, to leave an unhealthy relationship? No one has the power to change anyone else’s core personality. Given this knowledge, isn’t it time to move on and not have someone in your life that is tearing down your inner feelings?
Written by webmaster of http://www.lovebulletin.com. Alisa Chagnon is a freelance ghost writer. There are many benefits to obtaining ghostwriting services as opposed to looking to an article submission site. Using one ghostwriter enables a webmaster to save precious time in searching for just the right article. Articles written by Alisa offer a readers consistency of a certain writing theme. All articles can be written to specific topics and composed within 1-2 days. There is no need to post a resourse box, thus allowing a webmaster to have complete control over the article, edit and use as their own, which provides the website with a more professional look. Rates are very reasonable and no articles are \"doubled up\". Each site that Alisa works for is supplied with new and fresh articles, composed solely for each site. To obtain Alisa services contact her at: Author@lovebulletin.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert=Alisa_Chagnon
Do We Really Take Fitness and Exercise Seriously?
- By Staff Editor
- Published 02/13/2007
- Exercise
- Unrated
Fitness and exercise are gaining popularity in our culture for many reasons.
Reactions against the sedentary lifestyles Americans have lived for decades, a rash of type two diabetes with people engaging in fitness and exercise to improve their conditions, parents encouraging youngsters to get up and away from the television and work out, and the baby boomers, pursuing fitness and exercise as they age, to allow them to enjoy their advanced years.
Regardless of the reasons, many Americans take fitness and exercise very seriously.
Ways, in which Americans engage in fitness and exercise activities are varied and show the diversity of both the population and their interests.
Many people go to gyms or athletic clubs. Others participate in sports events that they enjoy. Fitness and exercise activities can include bowling, racquet sports like squash, golf, summer softball leagues, horseshoes, hiking, horseback riding, and many other fun things to do.
Fitness and exercise activities in American have many faces.
One of the most popular fitness and exercise activities is simply walking. Many people of all ages enjoy taking a brisk walk every day.
This simple fitness and exercise activity can be done by almost anyone. So many Americans are walking these days that magazines are published devoted to the activity. Generally Americans are not as organized as their European cousins when in comes to walking.
In Germany, one of the most popular weekend fitness and exercise activities is the volksmarch, or people's march. When a volksmarch occurs, people of all ages gather together to take a day long, or half day long walk through a town or a country location, stopping to share a meal along the way.
They combine fitness and exercise with social activity, and everyone has a great time.
Americans may not be ready for the volksmarch yet, but they find many other fitness and exercise options to their liking.
Golf is more popular now than any time in history. Tennis is making a popularity comeback. Even martial arts are fitness and exercise choices for many.
For Americans the important thing about fitness and exercise is to do something and make sure that the something you do is something you enjoy.
Fitness and exercise will lead to a longer and healthier life, and give a great deal of fun to the participants along the way.
David Peters is a writer for ydiets.com which is an excellent place to find Weight Loss links, and articles. For more information go to: http://www.ydiets.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Peters
Teenage Pregnancy
- By Staff Editor
- Published 02/14/2007
- Teens
-
Rating:
Teenage Pregnancy
If you wish to avoid pregnancy, you should use contraception every time you have sex, however no contraception available is 100% effective and even while using contraception you can still get pregnant. To make things harder, some contraceptives can mess up your periods and can even make you skip periods (giving you the impression that you could be pregnant), to be sure, you should take a pregnancy test as soon as you can.
Pregnancy Test
You can buy pregnancy test in most Supermarkets and Chemist, some places will also offer free pregnancy test to teens, such as;
1. Brook Centres (for under 25s) - tests are free with immediate results.
2. Family planning clinics.
You can also have a pregnancy test done;
1. With your GP.
2. With any GP registering for family planning services only.
3. Some Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinics.
4. Chemists - they can do a test or sell a home pregnancy testing kit.
Home pregnancy test (you ones you buy in a shop) come with instructions, and work by detecting the hormone levels in the woman’s urine.
Most pregnancy tests state that they work as soon as a period is late (i.e. one day). The majority of women do not continue to have normal periods when they are pregnant, some may experience some sort of period, but it will be lighter/shorter. For women that (before pregnancy) do not have a regular cycle it can be difficult to know when a period is due. It is recommended that you take the test three weeks after having unprotected sex. (its is roughly how long it takes for the hormone levels to show up on the test), any test taken before three weeks, could well lead to a false result.
If a test is negative (i.e. the woman is not pregnant) but the woman’s period still doesn’t arrive a week later, another test should be taken. Periods can be late for other reasons including stress, change of diet, or other health conditions. Women should seek medical advice if they are concerned.
The sooner you find out whether or not you are pregnant, the better it is for you. If you do find out you are pregnant then congrats! However although you might still be in a bit of shock, you have an important time ahead of you, and this is one that could change your life forever. You should think long and hard about what is best for you, and your baby. If you decide to keep the baby, it is best to arrange ante-natal care with your doctor to check on the health of the baby and yourself. Abortion is also an option, but it is also important to act quickly if this option is taken. If you don’t believe in abortions, and decide you don’t want the baby, adoption is also an option once the baby is born.
Unplanned Pregnancy
It is likely that the pregnancy is an unplanned one (due to your age), and is common to feel shocked, scared, panicked, confused, embarrassed, isolated or lonely. Parents, boyfriend and professionals are all there to help support and give you advice/information on the options available to you, but only you can make the choice to continue with the pregnancy or not. Its a decision that should be made based on what YOU want to do and not what others think you should do.
Further Reading/Help/Information
http://mycyc.com/
http://www.brook.org.uk
http://www.ruthinking.co.uk/
http://www.fpa.org.uk/
Article wriiten by & copyright MyCYC.com - Free Teen Blogs, for more article like these please visit my homepage.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Else
How to Start an Online Business
- By Staff Editor
- Published 02/14/2007
- Internet/Online , Business
- Unrated
Thanks to the Internet, almost anybody with a little drive and ambition is now able to start their own business. By starting an online business you can create a little financial freedom for you and your family, because you can create an income producing business that brings in the cash 24/7. This article will explore the easiest method you can use to start an online business.
To have a successful online business you are going to need a website. Unlike during the late 90’s, today it’s no big thing to get a website. You simply need to find a suitable domain name, register the name with a reputable company, and then sign up for a hosting plan with the hosting company of your choice.
Next, you’ll want to design and create your website. This is a snap as well. Simply make a search of your favorite search engine for a wysiwyg (what you see is what you get) web editor. There a ton of these available, even some high quality free ones. A wysiwyg web editor allows you to create a web site in the same way you use Microsoft Word. If you can use Word, you can definitely use one of these wysiwyg web editors… no problem.
One of the easiest online businesses to get started in is affiliate marketing. In affiliate marketing you send people to an affiliate site and you get credit for the sale when the visitors you send buy something. By having your own website you get people to visit the affiliate site by clicking relevant links you place on your site.
For affiliate marketing to work, you need a steady stream of traffic to your site. One of the most effective, FREE methods for generating traffic to your site is by writing and submitting relevant articles to the top ranked article directories.
You need to do some intensive keyword research before writing your articles, so that you will know how best to optimize your articles for the keywords your prospects are searching for. There a many free tools available for keyword research, once again search your favorite search engine for a tool you can use.
That’s the basics of how to start an online business. It involves finding a domain name and registering it. Setting up a hosting account. Creating your website in a wysiwyg web editor. Doing the necessary keyword research for the affiliate program you will be promoting. And then writing and submitting relevant articles to the article directories.
J.K. Stephenson is the home business expert for You-Can-Learn. He has a brand new ecourse where he will take you by the hand and teach you everything he knows about online business. Including, the exact steps you need to take to find lucrative keywords using free tools
How to evaluate affiliate programs and choose only the best ones
How to easily create simple websites using free tools
How to make article writing a snap, even if your writing sucks
You'll learn all this and much, much more
When you sign up for J.K.'s free ecourse, How To Make Money Online- A Real Life Case Study
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J.K._Stephenson
Sports Clothes and Girls
- By Staff Editor
- Published 02/14/2007
- Sports and Recreation
-
Rating:
By: Low Jeremy
When women started entering the world of sports, they had to deal with a lot of prejudice. The then male dominated sports industry scoffed at the idea that women would be competing in various manly sports. They believe that the place of women were in the home and not in the track and field or diamond field. Well, nowadays you won't even think that women are incapable of competing in such "manly sports". Women today have shown as capable of dominating sports like track and field, tennis, basketball, etc.
But with due to the increasing number of women athletes, clothing manufacturers and sports experts have begun developing the right clothing for them. Women athletes have some specific needs that need to be addressed in order for them to compete properly in some sporting events. Researchers have come up with high-tech performance fabrics that help create sports apparel that are both comfortable and function for the women athlete.
A lot of sports stores today offer a complete line of women and girls sports apparel. You can find for example, sports bras made of spandex materials that feature high necklines which provide full coverage and maximum support. Designers have thought of incorporating arched seams and used the right combination of hook-and-eye closures to provide an extremely strong hold. Some sports bras also have wide elastic panels to keep the bra in place.
Aside from the serious women athletes, a lot of women out there enter sports just to have fun or just to stay fit. There are already a lot of women sportswear stores that cater to the needs of this group of women.
If you go to your nearest department store or sports clothing shop, it is almost certain that you'll find a number of sports fashion line that mixes together unique fabrics and the newest and hottest fashion designs. Fashion designers for years have been into designing sports clothing. They have created sportswear for the various types of women sport activities. These include aerobics, fitness activities, running, yoga, golf and tennis. The main premise that fashion designers try to uphold is for women enjoy a good work out while looking attractive and feeling sexy.
This only proves that sports shops should not limit their target market to professional women athletes. They have a wide market base of women who are simply into sports just for the heck of it. And these women are more than willing to spend to get the appropriate clothing. Sports clothing stores should also offer simple women sportswear like shirts, pants, shorts, as well as various accessories in a myriad of colors and designs.
Low Jeremy maintains http://sports-apparel.articlesforreprint.com This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Low_Jeremy
The Six Questions of Bible Study
- By Staff Editor
- Published 02/14/2007
- Bible
- Unrated
Most Christians think Bible study is so mysterious and requires so much education, they don't attempt it. There really is no mystery to understanding most of Scripture. If we spend prayerful time studying what's in the Bible and ask a few simple questions, we can get what we need out of any segment of God's Word. You'll certainly get much more than just reading or listening to someone else explain it. You can go into more depth if you want to learn how to use other tools, like a concordance or a lexicon, but you can get quite a bit out of Scripture just by asking and answering six types of questions when you study.
Who? Who questions give us the direction of the group of Bible verses we're reading. Who is doing the speaking or writing? Who are they speaking or writing to? Who is the section of Scripture about? You can find out if the verses are just about one person "Jesus wept" or a universal promise "to all whom God will call" just by asking "who." Without knowing the "Who" of God's Word, it's very difficult to figure out what parts apply to everyone and what parts only apply to the people being addressed.
What? Do you want a clear understanding of the subject in a group of Scriptures? You must answer the "what" questions. This makes the subject more vivid. What is being said about what? Is it a law, a sin, a character trait? What are we supposed to do...follow, avoid, develop, ask for? There are many more "what's" in the Bible than we will ever find just skimming the surface. "What" is a very important question.
Why? This requires a little more analysis. By asking the question "why" we're able to pick up hidden clues in the Scripture text. Asking why and trying to find the answers can give you new meaning to the whole verse or whole chapter. Why did he write or say this? Why should we do what the verse tells us to? Why did they react to the situation the way they did? Sometimes stories are instructions on what to do and other times examples of what not to do. So, another why to ask about anything in the Bible is, "Why would God want me to know this?" It helps us apply His Word to our lives.
How? Ever heard someone talk about the power of prayer? The Bible clearly reveals that the power is in God, not in prayer. When we're studying Scriptures on prayer, asking how the prayers are answered keeps us from mistakenly crediting our prayers instead of God's power and love. Ask, how are the "what's" being done? How were they done? How are they to be done in the future? There are far more "how's" in Scripture than we can find just by reading or listening. The "How's" add power to our lives. How can Paul, or we, do all things? Through Christ! "How's" are powerful! The last "how" question we should ask is, "How does this apply to me?"
Where? This gives us the local context in which to understand the verses under study. When Paul tells us how to receive the peace that passes all understanding, it adds power to Paul's words when we understand the "where" he wrote from was a Roman prison. Sometimes, knowing where someone is helps explain what they're saying, like when Jesus said every stone of the temple would be thrown down...it's good to know it was the temple in Jerusalem to figure out if that prophecy had been fulfilled. "Where" also helps explain a local application to the Scripture that may not apply to people elsewhere.
When? This question also gives us context. When were the verses written? Were they written about the past, present or future? In what order do things happen? Do these Scriptures apply to only those times, or are they universal, applying to us, as well? "When" is an interesting question to ask in trying to understand God, who lives outside of time and space. How could we understand the words of Jesus, "Before Abraham was born, I am." without asking "when" questions?
Try this at home: Take a couple sheets of paper, one of your favorite chapters of Scripture and an hour of your time. Evenly space the questions on the 2 pages. Then, take a few verses at a time and write down the answers to the six types of questions. I'd be willing to bet you'll find some new meanings and applications to your life. If you do, I challenge you to take one book of the New Testament (say, 1 John) and do the same thing, 2-3 chapters a week. Let me know the things you learn!
The Word of God isn't meant to be mysterious or confusing. The Bible is God's message to us regular folk about His love and His power in our lives. We can tap into His power if we will stop depending on others to interpret the Word of God for us. Instead, all we need is the Holy Spirit, because, "...you do not need anyone to teach you..." 1 John 2:27
Glen Williams is Webmaster for http://www.web-church.com, an Ordained Minister, Founder and CEO of E-Home Fellowship (EHF), Inc. He has been active in ministry since 1989. You can comment on his articles at Web-Church Christian Forums.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glen_D._Williams
Earning an Online College Degree
- By Staff Editor
- Published 02/14/2007
- Education
- Unrated
By: Bob Willoughby
Have you ever wondered if what you know about online education is accurate? Consider the following paragraphs and compare what you know to the latest info on online education. It's really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the subject of online education. What you learn may give you the confidence you need to venture into new areas.
An online college degree course, like its regular or “the not virtual” counterpart, is a four-year college degree that a student needs to complete so as to earn the necessary college education that they will need in order to obtain a job or get a promotion. Or they may be looking to move to a new job. Because it is online, the only way to earn their degree is through the Internet.
The greatest advantage of getting an online college degree course is that it usually takes almost half the time it would take an individual when they enroll in a regular campus setting so as to complete a college degree course.
Generally, most of the people who enroll in getting an online college degree course are able to complete the program in less than three years. And just like a typical college or university, online college degree course provider can also accredit the subjects that you have already taken from your previous school. In this case, there is greater probability that you can finish your college degree course in quicker time frame, even in a six-month period.
Another benefit of getting your online college degree course is that the course of action is tremendously versatile. Your class schedule can be taken at any time of the day. Plus, you never have to leave the comfort of your home just to attend classes. And you will not have to interrupt your work schedule and you can still have a family life.
Hence, all course works can be completed through the Internet at the same time you are able to get in touch with your professors online. Usually, this can be done through software downloads that entail the lessons you have to learn and application of “the virtual class schedule.”
The typical online college degree course will require you to at least devote twenty hours of “course work” in a week. However, since the courses are only completed through the Internet, people who are willing to get online college degree course can either work slower or faster, depending on their schedule and if they have other things to do. This is applicable as long as the virtual students can complete the course within the allowed time schedule.
The normal time schedule for the course process of an online college degree course is a one day class schedule usually in each five weeks of lectures. This schedule normally allows a virtual student to concentrate exclusively on a single course syllabus or course outline at a time, so as to be sure that the student will be able to learn all of the lessons presented in a particular schedule.
This is considered a benefit when compared to the regular four year college course because with an online college degree course, you can commit to a time schedule to each lesson that you have to learn without being diverted by other classes.
Also, paying your tuition fees is also easier with an online college degree course. Online college degree courses usually meet the requirements for the usual tuition fee assistance and support that regular college degree course providers do.
People can also request student loans, employer reimbursement programs, and payment schedules. Best of all, there are online college degree course providers that request the student to pay their tuition fees as they go or before they can get their diploma or certificate. In this way, the typical college expenses that most students and parents experience in a typical campus setting will be lessened and spread out over a period of time.
Earning an online college degree is an ultimate means for a person, who is currently employed or those who have full time jobs, to obtain the college degree they have always wanted. By getting a college degree course online, people can keep their present job and at the same time earn the college degree as early as possible.
In order to meet the requirements in an online college degree course, you should have a high school diploma or a G.E.D. There is no formal college education required before enrolling in the course. Online college degrees are definitely the perfect option for someone who must also work full time so that they can have the means to pay for their college education and continue to have a family life.
If you are still deliberating whether to get a college degree through online college degree courses, just think about the benefits it can give you. An online college degree course is definitely worth exploring. Start your bright new future today.
Bob Willoughby is a Freelance Writer. He is the owner of a home based business dedicated to all facets of education. For additional information, visit his website at http://www.education.infoforyou24-7.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Willoughby
Online Student Tips and Tricks
- By Staff Editor
- Published 02/14/2007
- Education
-
Rating:
By: Jason Hardin
As with any new endeavor, distance education presents its own obstacles that, with time, can be overcome. The following is a list of tips and tricks that the seasoned online student might give to someone just starting their online degree. Some of these tips may sound simple, but their implementation can mean all the difference to some online students.
Print Off a Hard Copy
Depending on the online college you choose, you may see a number of your resources in an electronic format. Printing a hard copy of these can be extremely useful. In addition to giving you much needed time away from your computer, hard copies allow you to work on homework or complete reading assignments any time throughout the day. Admittedly, the cost of making these hard copies can compound over time, so it may be wise to prioritize and print only what you feel is most important.
Forget About Assignments?
We all occasionally allow things to slip our minds, but forgetting to turn in assignments, or turning them in late, can have a very negative effect on your grades. If you find yourself turning work in late on a regular basis, don’t worry, turning in work on time will eventually become routine. Until then there are several easy steps you can take to ensure that your homework is handed in before the deadline. First, make use of the people around you. Let your family and friends know about the project you have coming up. Although not guaranteed, they could serve as just the reminder, and motivator, you need to complete the project on time. Second, set the electronic devices around you that you use on a daily basis to remind you of the work you have due. Often, cell phones and email programs have calendars that can be programmed to remind you of an event at a certain date and time. The time and effort it takes to program such a reminder may be worth it in the end. Third, printing off and pinning up a copy of the course syllabus or calendar of assignments can act as a convenient visual reminder of assignments and their due dates.
Searching Electronic Resources
Do you have an extensive online resource that lacks an index? This can make it difficult to find information quickly, but because it is electronic, you have a simple way to find the information you are looking for. Nearly all types of electronic media containing text can be searched quickly and easily. Although not entirely universal, most programs use the Ctrl+F (the control key on your keyboard plus the F key) keyboard shortcut to activate the search option. With this option, you can locate keywords and terms within the document, saving you the time of searching it manually.
Try to Stay a Day Ahead
Staying at least one day ahead, if the instructor and online college allows, is a great way for distance learners to stay out of trouble. Communicating in a distance education environment can take time. Facilitators may or may not be avalable to answer phone calls or emails right when you need them. This can become a problem when you have an important question for the instructor. By staying one day ahead on your assignments, you will have an extra day as a buffer to ask questions and receive the answers you need.
Look Ahead
In a distance education environment, it is extremely important that students utilize the materials and resources given to them. Of particular importance is the syllabus for the course. This document often contains a list and directions for the assignments that will be due throughout the course. Online students should familiarize themselves with this document at the beginning of every course. Doing so can give you foresight into future assignments, allowing you to plan ahead. Syllabi often contain a list of materials required for the course as well. This should be checked to ensure that you have all pertinent materials on hand. Checking on materials and getting to know the course’s assignments ahead of time will keep online students from being unpleasantly surprised later in the course.
Adaptability
As in a traditional face-to-face setting, distance education students should be adaptable, specifically concerning their instructor. Each instructor is different, making it necessary to adapt to each instructor’s methods. For instance, one instructor may deduct for exceeding the specified word count on an essay assignment, while another instructor may not. This can be frustrating and will undoubtedly require some flexibility on the part of the student. The student’s eventual success in the course will show the benefit of being able to adapt to the methods of the individual instructor.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
Every online student will come across assignments with instructions that seem unclear or that are hard to understand. It is at times like this that students must be willing to ask for help. Many people feel embarrassed when they are forced to request aid from others, but in an educational environment, asking for help denotes a desire to learn and excel. This is no reason to be embarrassed.
Just as important as being able to ask is knowing who to ask. The course instructor is often the best place to start your search for the answers to your questions. If they are unable to help you, they will often point you in the right direction.
Spelling and Grammar
Grammar can be difficult to master and in a distance education environment, email, essays, and forums - depending on the online college you attend - may be the main form of communication. For this reason it is reasonable to assume that others in your course, including the instructor, could form their opinions of you by the content and presentation of your writing. This means that grammar and spelling play an important role in an online student’s education. There are a few simple ways to ensure that the message that is meant to be presented is the one received. First, proofread all correspondence to both students and the instructor. Make this a habit. By simply reading what you have written you are able to find and correct the majority of typographical errors you may have made. Second, use the electronic grammar and spellcheckers avalable in your word processing programs. Most of these are programmable and can be set to alert you if grammar, spelling, and some typographical errors occur. Grammar and spelling does not have to be a reason for lost points on an assignment or miscommunications in correspondence.
Jason Hardin is a writer and administrator with Collegiate Online, Inc. (http://collegiateonline.com) a website dedicated to providing online students with valuable resources, increasing their chances of academic success.
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