There are many ways you can save on purchasing textbooks, you can purchase or rent book on the internet.

Copy or Download Textbooks

There are many websites such as ManyBooks.bet that offer you the opportunity to download or copy books to your computer. Many students are now turning to “open source” textbooks, offered by different companies such as FlatWorld Knowledge. Students assigned open source textbooks can choose to download a copy free, or simply purchase the printed and bound copy for about 20 to 40 dollars – many students (about 75 percent) strongly prefer print to digital textbooks.

Rent-A-Textbook!

A couple of best colleges and universities have implemented programs that offer students the opportunity to rent textbooks. Renting a book for a semester will cost half the purchase price; even if you are a “highlighting fanatic”, you will not be penalized – that is, if the markings aren’t too much.

You can also rent a textbook online; if all the books in stock have been rented by your fellow students. Many of textbooks rented online usually arrive in really good condition, and some companies provide affordable and convenient shipping rates.

Purchase Textbooks Online

Not everyone finds the thought of renting a textbook appealing, some people simply prefer to own their textbooks. If you would rather own your textbooks, then you are sure to get a better deal when you purchase your textbooks online. There are search engines such as Bigwords.com and Campusbook.com that search all websites in order to get the best prices for new and used textbooks. The great part about these search engines is that they are very easy to use, and the search results are quite easy to compare. For example, you can use the ISBN number, say for a psychology textbook. The results generated will list the lowest prices in every category:

• New
• Used
• E-books
• Rental
• International editions (these versions are known to be very cheap)

New and fairly used textbooks can be found on the internet including sites such as eBay, Amazon and Half.com.

However, a word of caution when purchasing used books online; this is because you do not know the true condition of the books you are buying.

In order to get a great deal on textbooks when shopping online, check for coupon codes. Websites such as CouponWinner.com, PromoCodes.com, and PromotionalCodes.com offer discount codes for e-books and textbooks, for a variety of renters and book providers.

Pushing the Middle Man Aside

A couple of students list the textbooks that they have available on Craigslist or even on Facebook, where other students can find the books they need without parting with a fortune. By cutting out the middle man, you can get textbooks at a cheaper price than when you purchase them in a regular or campus bookstore.

Obtaining a college degree is a vital key towards a successful future. Now, modern technology has become a great help for individuals who aspire to graduate from college and have a rewarding career. Incoming college students and people who are thinking back of going to school and try a new a profession can now enjoy the convenience of online schools.

The field of nursing still remains to be one of the popular career choices and a number of nursing schools are now offering online classes in order to meet the increasing demand of interested students. A lot of people have chosen this alternative form of learning due to a number of reasons. It offers flexibility when it comes to class schedules, making it ideal for working students.

Online nursing schools also provide prospective nursing students with more options. No need to move to another city in order to receive quality education as you can have it right at the comfort of your own home. The virtual classroom setup and the manner of teaching also allow the students to learn on their own pace. A common problem in the traditional setting is the number of people in one class where noise and other distractions are present.

Nurses who are already working in the healthcare industry can also sign up for courses that can further develop their skills and help them advance in the success leader. Continuing education in nursing is very important especially if you want to transfer to a different field. Programs such as RN, LPN and CRNA degrees are available for individuals that already has a background but thinking of advancing their nursing career.

Enrolling in an online class is relatively easy. The first requirement will be of course, an access to the internet. Make sure to check on the admission requirements and get documents organized prior to signing up for a program. The whole enrollment process is also faster and easier because everything is done and completed online. Instructions are then given on how you can access the learning materials and how online classes are conducted.

Individuals who are considering enrolling on an online nursing school should make sure that is accredited and has obtained the license to offer the programs. There are websites that may seem to offer the best training and education but it is safer to check and verify first if the online school is indeed qualified in order to save not only your time but money as well.

Choose a nursing program that can provide you with a rewarding career not only in terms of income but in self fulfillment as well.

However, there are of course some drawbacks to online education as well, and it’s certainly not the best format for everybody, or for every situation. Here is a breakdown of the types of personalities that usually suit online education and the types that typically don’t:

Do Enroll in Online Education If:

• You Work Well Independently. Students that excel at online degrees tend to have high levels of self-discipline and are able to learn alone and without much help from their peers or professors. If you’re the type that can work out stuff easily by yourself, an online degree will work well for you.
• You Have to Work Fulltime. If you have to hold down a full-time job while attending college, the flexible nature of an online degree will likely beat attending night school. Many online schools allow you to complete your degree at your own pace, so if you have weeks or even months when you simply have to concentrate on work and not on study, you won’t be academically punished.
• You Like a Good Deal. If you’re thrifty by nature you will love the reasonable prices offered by most online schools. You won’t have to lose out on wages as you can still maintain a fulltime job while you study, plus you’ll be able to avoid commuting time and commuter costs, which can save you a fortune on gas and public transportation fees.

Don’t Choose Online Education If:

• You Are Extremely Extroverted. If you study online you’ll be spending huge amounts of time alone and will have little (if any) interaction with your peers. You may frequently exchange emails with your professors, buts it’s highly unlikely you will ever get to meet them face to face. This is a perfect set up for shy introverts, but will likely frustrate extroverts and leave them feeling socially isolated.
• You Like to Work in Teams. If you like a learning environment with lots of team exercises, you will probably be disappointed with an online program. The majority of the coursework will involve solitary work and studying, and will involve minimum team work with your online peers.
• You Don’t Have A Reliable Computer. If you don’t have a reliable computer, online education probably isn’t going to work out well for you. You need regular access to a computer with high-speed internet connection to consistently study and complete assignments. Some online programs supply their students with computers, but most expect students to have them already. If you depended on your school library’s computer at your high school or previous college, online education likely isn’t the best educational option for you.

As with all things, online education works out great for some people and not at all for others. If you are seriously considering enrolling in an online program, do some further research and weigh up the pros and cons. Take your time in your decision-making, as its important to choose the right program and the right school. Good luck!

Did you know that there are school fundraising ideas that you can use?  If you’re able to raise funds, then a lot of problems will go away.  This is especially true if you’re trying to raise funds for your fraternity, school band, organization and the likes.  Of course, you have to check with your university if running these ideas is allowed because it varies from university to university.

Here are some fundraising ideas that you can consider:

1. Set up a party.

You wanted to party, right?  Why not raise a lot of funds while you’re partying?  You’ll never run out of reasons to throw a party.  However, make sure that it’s a party that other students will be willing to pay just so they can attend.

Here’s a good idea – set a package price for the ticket.  For example, charge $10 for entrance to the party and they get a “free” bottle of beer and peanuts.  You can also set up a concert/party.  Book a popular band in the university and sell tickets to the concert and after-party.

1. Hold a pizza fundraiser.

What’s the favorite food of university students?  Pizza!  Here’s what you need to do.  Have a lot of boxes of pizza delivered to your dorm room and knock on doors and offer to sell pizza either by the slice or by the box!  You know that there are a lot of students who will never say no to pizza even if they’ve already eaten.  It’s a matter of timing.  Thursday nights are best because a lot of students are in their rooms cramming to finish everything so they can party during the weekends.  A pizza break is always welcome.

You may also want to talk to the owner of the pizzeria first so you can set up a special deal.  Ask for special discounts and tell the owner that you’ll hand out flyers while you’re selling the pizza.

With these school fundraising ideas, you can easily raise a lot of funds for yourself or for your group.  This way, you can focus on the other important things in your university life.

Author Bio:

Gregg Michaelsen is a fundraising consultant who provides school fundraising ideas and other ideas that people, businesses and groups can take advantage of.  Check out the best fundraising ideas and utilize them today!

Do your own research. Most schools have their own advertisements. They have their fliers, they have their web commercials and all those marketing methods. You might want to check all those materials. From there, you will know what the college offers. If an advertisement tactic is nice and pleasing, there is a huge possibility that the school is giving importance to quality. That’s a good sign. However, if an advertisement is mediocre, you might want to recheck it using other means.

Base it on the college’s forte. We all know that a specific college offers a lot of courses. However, you should know that each school has its own forte. Some are good in business courses. Some are good in law. Some are good in technical skills and some are good in arts. Prior to choosing your school, you should know what course you would like to take. It’s not advisable that you get into a school and then choose the course afterwards. The end result is that you are going to change your course. It means, you will waste more time and money.

Know what to expect. Here’s a little secret. There is no university or college that is perfect for everyone. This can be very subjective. Hence, what you need to do is to set your expectations. Would you like a campus that is far from the city? Would you like a school that allows pets? Would you like to enrol in a school where independence is being practiced? You have to make your own list and see which one fits the shoe. Of course, don’t expect that you’ll get all checks. It will just help you in narrowing down your choices. This can be very fun!

Remember, different strokes for different folks. Pump your excitement by getting into the best college fit for your needs.

Kim Bookman is the lead journalist for Gowelding.org, the go-to-place to learn about welding and welding careers. Make sure to visit Welding Certification Schools in Austin Texas and Welding Certification Colleges in Allentown Pennsylvania to learn how to become a certified welder

Even though the world of academia is much slower to accept new, radical ideas, even it can’t fend off the changes that are happening due to advances in technology.  In fact, the number of college students enrolled in at least one online course increased for the ninth straight year last year, according to the Babson Survey Research Group’s annual survey of more than 2,500 colleges and universities.  The actual number of students who enrolled in at least one online course reached 6 million, which represents about thirty percent of all college students.

The co-author of the study who is also Co-Director of the Babson Survey Research Group and Professor of Statistics & Entrepreneurship at Babson College, Elaine Allen, cautions those who are getting overly excited about online education:

There may be some clouds on the horizon.  While the sluggish economy continues to drive enrollment growth, large public institutions are feeling budget pressure and competition from the for-profit sector institutions.   In addition, the for-profit schools worry new federal rules on financial aid and student recruiting may have a negative impact on enrollments.

There are other sources, though, who believe that there will be little, if any, slowing of the growth of online education.  In fact, some people have even suggested that online education will one day replace traditional campus colleges and universities, much like the way online competition eventually took Borders out of business.  The Associate Director of Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities (a center which studies and even promotes disruptive change in higher education), Paul M.A. Baker, suggests that this change of the guard is already in motion:

The University System of Georgia merged four institutions into other ones that were geographically within 50 miles.  The programs essentially were replicated.  And in an environment in which you’ve got reduced resources, you can’t afford to have essentially identical programs 50 miles apart.

While some in the academia world see this change as all doom and gloom, there are others who are actually excited at the improvements it could bring to higher education.  One of the more notable positive aspects to these changes is the creation of free online courses created by top tier universities.  One of the most prominent examples of these courses is Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT’s) Open Courseware.  MIT’s Open Courseware is available to the general public and offers around 2000 free courses that cover a wide variety of subjects.  The Director of Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities, Richard A. DeMillo, stated:

All you have to do is add up the amount of money spent on courses.  Just take an introduction to computer science.  Add up the amount of money that’s spent nationwide on introductory programming courses. It’s a big number, I’ll bet.  What is the value received for that spend?  If, in fact, there’s a large student population that can be served by a higher-quality course, what’s the argument for spending all that money on 6,000 introduction to programming courses?

While change is often times difficult, it’s also inevitable, even for the traditionally rich arena of higher education.  Instead of fighting the change that is occurring, the best thing for future teachers and students to do is to embrace it and prepare for the online education options.  It is still too early to tell exactly where online education will take us in the future, but what we do know for sure is that it will change education just as much as advances in technology have changed the other aspects of our lives.

Will the job market improve for college graduates in 2012 compared to 2011?

According to a survey that was done by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) of employers across the nation shows that there will be an increase in new college graduate hiring in 2012.  The overall increase is expected to be around 9.5% over 2011 new college graduate hiring, which is not only good news for college graduates, but it’s also good news for the entire nation, as this is one more sign that the economy is slowly creeping back from the recession.

“Among employers with plans to increase hiring, more than half indicated that either their companies have more business or they are experiencing company growth. Another 20 percent cited the need to replace retiring workers, their aging work force, and increasing attrition rates.  Others reported the need to build their pipeline of new college graduates, as some organizations explained that they are too ‘top heavy.’”

Will salaries for college graduates be higher or lower than in years past?

Again, according to the same survey, salaries will actually increase overall by about 6% when compared to 2011 new graduate salaries.  The starting salaries will still be lower than when the recession hit, but we are starting to see an upward trend, with 2012 being the second year in a row in which salaries will increase.

Which industries are hiring the most college graduates?

The highest number of jobs will actually come from companies offering Accounting Services, with plans to hire 8,434 students, followed closely by Financial, Insurance, and Real Estate Services at 8,324 new college graduate hires.  From second to third is a big drop off to Miscellaneous Professional Services at 1,878 college graduate hires, followed closely by Computer & Electronics Mfg. (1,833), Management Consulting (1,587), and Oil & Gas Extraction (1,585).

The industries with the highest percentage of hiring increases are Government (33.1%), Construction (25.4%), Retail Trade (22.8%), Oil & Gas Extraction (19.4%), and Engineering Services (18.9%).

Which degrees are the highest in demand?

The top degrees in demand from companies are listed below in descending order according to degree level.

Bachelor Degrees:

1. Business
2. Engineering
3. Computer Sciences
4. Sciences
5. Liberal Arts
6. Communications
7. Agriculture & Natural Resources

Master Degrees:

1. Business
2. Engineering
3. Computer Sciences

Doctorate Degrees:

1. Engineering
2. Computer Sciences
3. Sciences
4. Business
5. Humanities & Social Sciences
6. Education

You can browse online degree programs by degree level or by study area at DegreeSearch.org.

How do college graduates increase their chances of getting hired?

Without a doubt, the answer to that question is by doing a paid internship.  More than 61 percent of students who took part in paid internships in the for-profit sector received a job offer last year.  “The class of 2011 graduates who took part in a paid internship were more likely to get a job offer, have a job in hand by the time they graduated, and receive a higher starting salary offer than their peers who undertook an unpaid internship or no internship at all.”

Extras:

• Students getting jobs in engineering are expected to have the highest starting salaries, with the average starting salary over $60,000.
• Two of the companies with the most extensive hiring plans that are based on new hires and not based on attrition include accounting firm Ernst & Young and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

Online Students Make Up About a Third of College Enrollments

For-profit institutions lead the trend toward greater implementation of online courses – where flexibility is identified as the key advantage – while web-based learning is gaining as a strategic component in private and public schools according to a 2011 study conducted by Babson Survey Research Group. “Going the Distance – Online Education in the United States“ reports that although online enrollment now represents 31% of the total, annual growth may be leveling out, going from an increase of 36.5% in 2005 to just over 10% in 2010.

Online Learners Slighly Outperform Traditional Students

A comprehensive Department of Education report carried out by SRI International and revised in 2010 highlighted the dearth of controlled research comparing online and conventional instruction at the K-12 level, while an overview of numerous studies – most focused on older students – showed online learners slightly outperforming their traditional counterparts and hybrid instruction blending the two forms even more effective. The ability of students to interact with media, reflect and assess individual progress was the greatest benefit reported for online instruction.

Online Instruction Superiority Finding Challenged

With funding by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Community College Research Center prepared a 2010 report titled “Effectiveness of Fully Online Courses for College Students: Response to the Department of Education Meta-Analysis,” which challenged the generalized finding of online instruction superiority and questioned whether online learning satisfies the objective of making education accessible and effective for all. Breaking down the studies examined in the Department of Education report, the CCRC found variations in instruction effectiveness were insubstantial and apples to oranges comparisons of courses and students were self-selecting.

Simulation Component is Both a Strength and Problem

The benefit of simulation as a feature of online instruction was a polarizing topic among respondents of a survey of “Student’s Perceptions of Online Learning” published in the Journal of Information Technology Education. In fact, the simulation component was named as both a primary strength and a big problem of online courses, leading the report’s authors to conclude that simulation exercises should be judiciously integrated throughout rather than merely culminating the course.

An Effective Tool For Struggling and Advanced Learners

Although resistance to change within the academic community is inevitable, the promise of online instruction as a tool for meeting the educational needs of both advanced and struggling learners was highlighted in a 2011 report entitled “Assessing Learning in Online Education: The Role of Technology in Improving Student Outcomes.” While some teachers may feel threatened by what they perceive as a diminished role, online learning is destined to transform teaching from the transfer of expertise to monitoring and ensuring the progress of individual learners through course material determined on an outcome basis.

Natalie Schunk writes for Criminal Justice Degree Schools, a criminal justice career site with tons of interviews and information including how to earn a computer forensics degree or become a blood spatter analyst.

When you choose to pursue your online college degree, you get the benefit of working at your own pace and attending when it’s convenient for you.

However, all this independence can require self-discipline and can be challenging for some students, especially when business deadlines are looming or the kids are sick. Here are some tips for making time to make the grade.    

Share Your Goals

People tend to get it when you’re at the office or holed up in a library. It means you’re hard at work and your time is committed.

Unfortunately, when you’re sitting on the couch studying on your laptop, people may be less aware of what you’re trying to accomplish. Make sure you explain to family and friends how important earning your online college degree is to you, and what you need in terms of time and space.

Also explain to them what online education is, and what work is involved. Once people understand your goals, they will hopefully be more respectful of your needs as your work toward accomplishing them.     

Create Space

Nothing says “I’m busy” like a closed door. If you have a home office, that’s a great place set up your virtual campus. If not, then you can make use of any room with a door.

Hang a sign saying “Studying” on the door if forgetful spouses or curious children make a habit of interrupting. And if studying from your home is too distracting or difficult, then try relocating to a café or a library with Internet access. Sometimes a change of scenery can be just what you need to jumpstart a study session.       

Practice Positive Procrastination

It’s easy to procrastinate when you’re at home with so many distractions—and when you really don’t feel like tackling a tough assignment. Instead of texting a friend or visiting your favorite website, put off doing the task you’re avoiding by doing a different one you need to get done instead.

For example, if there’s a paper you really don’t want to write, take a break from it by spending a half hour on a reading assignment for another class. When you return to the original assignment, you’ll hopefully feel refreshed and pleased about your accomplishment—and ready to conquer that tough paper.      

Bust Time-Busters

The next time you sit down to study, keep a log of everything you do that is not school-related.

What specific activities are stealing your time? Since you’re spending a great deal of time in front of a computer, it’s likely to be Internet-related: email, chatting, social networking, surfing your favorite extreme sports sites.

Set a goal to eliminate all extracurricular Web activities during “school hours.” If it helps, establish some “free time” either before or after your designated study hours when you can surf or chat to your heart’s delight.  

Carving out time for online education can be challenging. But with self-discipline and the support of those who love you and want you to succeed, you can overcome daily obstacles and work your way toward that online college degree.   

Your next step should probably be learning more about accredited online colleges, now that you know about earning an online college degree. Post written by guest blogger Shane.

Looking Beyond the Prospectus

It’s no surprise that universities and colleges are a bit fulsome when describing student life and the courses they offer. Their aim is to get you through the door. Once you’re in, even if the reality doesn’t match up, it will be more difficult for you to go elsewhere. (Just think of the paperwork, ugh!) But students have a not so secret weapon. Sites like Rate My Professor (which teachers hate) allow students to assess their professors’ performance; all you have to do is check the assessments for the people who will be teaching the course you want to follow. Now, don’t let one bad rating put you off because it might have been left by someone who was mad about not getting the grade he wanted, but if there are 50 bad reviews of a prof you might think twice.

Match Your Abilities with Your Course

At school, you might end up studying subjects that you have no interest in. University is your chance to drop some of those, but don’t be too hasty in ditching them. Do some research into the skills you will need in the career you plan to follow and see how your abilities match up. Then look at the courses on offer and see which ones best suit your mix of talents. It’s great to make a fresh start, but even better to have something to build on.

Ignore Your Family – And Your Friends

Don’t choose a university or college based on what your parents want you to do. Your dad might have wanted to be a surgeon, but if you can’t stand the sight of blood, then that career isn’t for you. Parents can be well-meaning, but only you know what really interests you – you’ll have a gut feeling when you find the right place. And finally, don’t choose a place just because your friends are going there. One university might be great for sciences, but if you are a language buff you need to go somewhere else to get the best education and preparation for adult life.

Sharon Hurley Hall is a freelance writer. She writes for Hoodie Tee who can supply leavers hoodies for when you leave school.