Posts Tagged ‘college students’

7 College Campus Stereotypes

I bet you all the spare change on my desk that when you get to college, you will come across at least five of the seven stereotypes I’m about to explore.

Nobody likes to be grouped into a stereotype, but sometimes, the truth just speaks for itself, and definitely in the case of a college campus. I’m not sure if it’s something in the soft serve of the dorm cafeterias or what, but there’s something about a college campus that universally produces these stereotypes in sleeper cells who, before entering college, showed little to no sign of the following stereotypes until after they fully move into their dorms and say ‘goodbye’ to their parents:

1. Library Sleepover Guy/Girl
This character is the one who strangely prefers the claustrophobic space under a desk in the university library over the down comfortable and padded mattress of their own bed. Why would this be? Good question, and it’s fairly difficult to answer, coming from a pro-bed disposition, but I believe it has something to do with the cozy atmosphere of a library, especially if you’ve been in there for hours. The soft whispers, the fall-leaf crinkle of pages turning, the hypnotic melody of your peers typing term papers, the asbestos in the walls, you know. It’s certainly enough to get you to doze off–not to mention that you’ve been in there for 29 hours already and have just gone mad and are confusing the library for your bedroom.

2. Guy Who says “Work hard; play hard” Way Too Often
This phrase should’ve burnt out with the 80s, but unfortunately, it’s going strong among a small population. This person likes to, well, work hard, and then play hard. They’re usually the ones somehow able to function with a level 5 hangover. Allowing them to, you know, workhardplayhard.

3. Mr./Ms. Moocher
Whether it’s another precious Diet Coke from your mini fridge, or notes from American Culture 101, there is always somebody willing to catch a free ride. Sure, one Diet Coke is nothing. But soon, the Diet Cokes add up and eventually you’re basically helping your friend slide through class without lifting a finger–or buying the text book! Did that metaphor get mixed up? You get it.

4. The Unexpected Party Animal
This person was on 24-hour patrol by their parents before shipping off to college. The freedom is often jarring and catapults this usually in-bed-by-9pm type into crazy party animal behaviors. Don’t worry though, they’ll get the balance sooner or later.

5. Wait, They’ve Found Signs of Life Outside the Greek Bubble?
What’s most interesting is that even though nobody’s born into the Greek system, a certain group of people completely disregard the life they led before going Greek and treat non-Greek people as if they’re lost puppies without homes. Let them live in their little dream worlds. It’s cute and stupid. But mostly cute. And also stupid.

6. The Unassuming Genius
This is the best one. You’ll be asking a homework question to yourself out loud, like “Wait, so what’s the dif between diamond and graphite?” And your roommate who happens to be watching Real Housewives of Orange County because that’s what she does ALL day, says, “They are chemically identical–completely carbon-based– but their bonding patterns, graphite being held together like sheets, and diamond created from 4 incredibly strong covalent bonds result in completely different materials. The graphite in your pencil is writing this all down because the sheets can slide off easily since they’re only held be weaker Van der Waal bonds,” she says without looking away from the television. Kinda nice to have on tap.

7. Person Who Thinks That They’re the Only One in a Hard Class with A Lot of Work
This stereotype cannot get it through their heads that they are not the only ones on campus to be in a class that requires some hard work. It’s really annoying, but usually these types have a bunch of other redeeming qualities you can concentrate on. Usually.

Any stereotypes we’re missing? What would you be considered on campus? 

5 Ways to Write a Great College Paper

Over the weekend I  began going through the ever-growing tower of past schoolwork I’ve kept from high school and college. I read through probably a hundred different papers I’ve written over the years. With each one, a little flood of pride swept over me–Wow, I knew what ‘Defenestration‘ meant?–and, ultimately decided to keep a bunch of them (and by ‘a bunch of them’ I really mean every single one).

You’re probably reading this post as a cry for help from my secret hoarder life, but it’s not (it is), it’s really not (I had to tunnel through my hallways filled with every newspaper since 1987 just to get to my room filled with 48 cats).

No, we’re talking about great college papers. With hindsight being 20/20, I was able to see what made some of my college papers works of, dare I say, genius, and others just kinda lumps of complicated words that didn’t really add up to much in the end.

Here’s my words of wisdom, which include the comments scribbled in the margins from professors who’ve read my papers:

1. You need to stop procrastinating now!
This one’s a bit obvious. But hey, here’s the simple fact: If you start your paper 5 hours before it’s due, chances are it will not be thoroughly researched, thought through, or finely edited. I’ve had my share of “let’s watch this marathon Law & Order all day and start writing at midnight” experiences. It shows in the work. If you start your paper when it’s assigned, you’ll have a chance to write an outline, fine-tune your thesis, and even sleep on your ideas. Letting your ideas marinate a bit will help them grow stronger, or will help you realize what works and what doesn’t. Give yourself the gift of time!

2. I’m confused, what’s your thesis?
Sometimes the things our teachers told us in high school don’t quite sink in. If that’s the case with what they taught you about a thesis, it’s definitely time to learn what a thesis is. The thesis in your paper is the argument you’re making. It can be as simple as “Juliette was stupid” or “Hamlet was a nutjob.” You can argue whatever you want, but it has to be a strong and interesting enough argument to carry through your entire paper.

3. Do you even know what this word means?
Avoid trying to sound smarter than you are. You are probably a very smart person. Using words because they sound esoteric will turn your paper into something pedantic and alien. Your teachers don’t care how much you can impersonate an academic voice as much as hearing YOU argue your thesis smartly and thoughtfully.

4. Did you read the book? I’m seriously concerned you didn’t read the book.
Read the book. They always know when you don’t read the book.

4.5 Please never write an essay in 15 pt Comic Sans Again. Please, I beg you.

5. Where’s the proof?
Once you have your thesis, go back carefully through the text to come up with evidence. Think of yourself as a little Sherlock Holmes and gather all the evidence you can for your argument. The proof is in the pudding. And in this case, the pudding is the text, not your memory of it.

Do you have any tips for writing a great college essay? Leave a comment! 

Friday College Town Hall

In Friday College Town Hall, we post a question about college, and you leave an answer in the comment field.

Today, in honor of the 10th anniversary of September 11th, we ask this question:

In the decade since 9/11, many of the millennial children who were in elementary school during the attacks are now in college or beginning their college searches.

How has your memory of 9/11 changed through these ten years, and what significance has it had on your role as an American student?

Leave your answer in the comments below or tweet at @Cappex to chime in (we’ll post your answer below).

7 Back to School iOS Apps for College Students

“When I was your age, we had to walk 5 miles in sheets of freezing rain, up and down mountains, and past the hungry gazes of wild bears just to get to school! Now you have your iPhones, and Internets, and hover crafts! What’s the matter with you kids?”

[youtube width="300" height="243"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wCXr_6wgns[/youtube]

Sure, things have changed since Great Uncle Wilfred went to school. For one thing, even your parents probably didn’t have Internet at their disposal when they were your age, let alone any kind of smartphone. If you have the technology at your fingers tips, why not take advantage of it? There are some especially great back to school iOS apps that would be super helpful for college students.

Here’s our list of 7 (almost all free) back to school apps:

1. Amazon Student
Cost: free
What it does: Amazon Student helps you save money on textbooks by allowing you to compare the prices of your campus bookstore with Amazon’s. When you’re done with the books, you can use the app to help sell it back with free shipping for students!

2. AroundMe
Cost:
free
What it does: New to campus? The AroundMe app locates the nearest banks, hospitals, gas stations, taxi companies, restaurants, etc.

3. Dictionary & Thesaurus
Cost:
$2.99
What it does: Much better than toting around a big tome or even your laptop, having access to a dictionary and thesaurus wherever you go is key. Plus, you will never be lost for words, or, words for words.

4. Documents to Go
Cost:
$9.99
What it does: Realize you wrote “Ass Water” instead of “Add Water” to your lab report? With Docs to Go you can edit and share Word (.doc and .docx), PowerPoint, and PDFs! Fret no more!

5. Free Graphing Calculator
Cost:
free (graphing calculator)
What it does: With this app, save your $100 from buying a Ti83. Just download this app and graph away my child, graph away!

6. Grades 2
Cost:
free
What it does: Sometimes teachers, actually, a lot of times, teachers don’t let you know what your grade for the semester’s looking like. This little app helps you calculate what your grade will be, and it even let’s you know what grade you’ll need on certain assignments to get that elusive A.

7. Snoozerr
Cost:
$0.99
What it does: Even your most interesting lectures aren’t safe from your need to party on Thursday night leaving you with barely any sleep. So if you’re worried about falling asleep in class, this app is a lifesaver! It records your lectures and includes a time-stamped function that links pictures you take on the board with that part of the lecture.

And remember, if you’re still looking for scholarships in college you can sign in to Cappex’s mobile site from you r phone! Just go to Cappex.com and take

laptop

Do you have any favorite apps? Leave a comment below!

10 Colleges and Universities with High Number of Non-Traditional Students

mortar

It’s challenging for any new student to get acclimated to college. But for non-traditional students, where the majority of the student body has come straight out of high school, it can be even harder. For that reason, it could be nice for non-traditional students to have friends to relate to who are also going back to school from other walks of life besides high school.

So, thanks to US News, we’ve got a list of the 10 colleges and universities with the most students over the age of 25.

1. Sonoma State University
Percentage of students 25 and over-88%
Cool fact-The Princeton Review named SSU one of 12 of the nation’s most “green” campuses.

2. Thomas Edison State College
Percentage of students 25 and over-
88%
Cool fact-Thomas Edison State College is a considerably newer school as it was approved by the New Jersey Board of Education in December 1971, and established on July 1, 1972.

3.University of the Southwest
Percentage of students 25 and over-87%
Cool fact-
The University of the Southwest hosts the Jack Maddox Distinguished Lecture Series, which brings guests from all areas of life to give informative and inspirational lectures.  Past speakers include Jim Lovell, Robert Gates and P.J. O’Rourke.

4. American International College
Percentage of students 25 and over-84%
Cool fact-
American International College was originally established on July 18, 1885 as the French Protestant College by Rev. Calvin E. Amaron, who sought to create an institution of higher learning that would provide the local French Protestant minority–who I happen to remember from European history are called Huguenots–with access to higher education. Over the years it evolved into a multicultural learning institution.

5. Golden Gate University
Percentage of students 25 and over-84%
Cool fact-
Golden Gate University evolved out of the literary reading groups of the San Francisco Central YMCA. The YMCA Evening College was formally established in 1896 and became a full-fledged operation in 1901 with the creation of the parallel YMCA Evening Law College.

6.
Mid-Continent University
Percentage of students 25 and over-84%
Cool fact-
The university participates in several sports in the Division I Mid-East Region of the National Christian College Athletic Association, including in men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s soccer, women’s volleyball, and coed cheerleading.

7. National-Louis University
Percentage of students 25 and over-83%
Cool fact-
NLU has campuses in near Chicago, Illinois, as well as Wisconsin, Florida, and, any guesses? Nowy Sacz, Poland!

8. University of Maryland-University College
Percentage of students 25 and over-83%
Cool fact-UMUC offers face-to-face courses and support in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

9. Peirce College
Percentage of students 25 and over-
82%
Cool fact-Peirce has specialized educational programs for those who wish to seek an accelerated education during the evening and weekend, earn their degree online, or earn their degree while at work.

10. Granite State College
Percentage of students 25 and over-80%
Cool fact-The average age at Granite State is 36!

Are you a non-traditional student or thinking about going back to school? Tell us what you think. Leave a comment!

How Social Media and Game Mechanics Can Motivate Students

laptopStudents rejoice! According to this Mashable.com article, social media and game mechanics could actually positively affect you. So next time your mom tells you to get off the video games and set the table–well, you should probably listen to your mother.

But, you can explain to your mother later that social media and online games can teach skills that can be difficult to teach in normal school curricula–like time managements, teamwork and creative problem solving.

Here’s how Mashable breaks down how social media and gaming mechanics can have a positive affect on education:

Status Update and Checkins
Whether high school students or college students send a tweet or a Facebook status to their entire network about a goal they have, it becomes more real, especially if people comment on it and provide feedback. As with the status updates, checkins make people feel like they’re not alone–they’re traveling with someone else. Plus, it also adds a bit of a healthy competitive edge. Both of these things are factors that could motivate students to work harder to reach their goals.

Leaderboards
Today in school, everybody is a winner; there are no losers. Leaderboards bring back that competitive edge to school in a way that’s completely powered by students’ own desire to do better. By comparing progress with each other’s peers, students are driven to move up the leaderboard. This tactic can give mundane school assignments a bit of a makeover.

Move Up the Levels
A little positive feedback never hurt nobody. Offering levels for students to move up in is a great motivator. Take the Cappex Cap Challenge (log in and start playing now!), for example. Not only do you get further in your college search, but the more you do for your college search, the more you move up levels and are rewarded virtual caps and real prizes.

What’s your take on social media and gaming in school?  Comment and share!

Cappex.com’s Real Talk: What Are Students Saying About Campus Visits?

You will get tons of unsolicited advice from people during your college search. A large percentage of those words of wisdom will probably come from people who’ve been out of the college scene for a while now–counselors, teachers, parents. While their advice is certainly valid and helpful, a little insight from people closer to the college search process could provide some relevant information and help you make an educated decision.

On that note, we present to you our new series of student-to-student advice, Cappex Real Talk. The subject today? Campus visits.

See what your peers are saying about them:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03GugIusy6I&feature=channel_video_title[/youtube]

Do you have any advice you’d like to share? Leave a comment!

Does Updating Your Facebook Status Make You a Happier College Student?

update statusThat’s a ridiculous question…but does it?

Considering how often college students–or college-bound students, or middle schoolers or even toddlers–are on Facebook or other social networks, most people would assume time spent surfing the waves of the World Wide Web would have a negative effect on a person.  That’s not necessarily the case.

According to eCampus News, a recent study at Cornell University demonstrated that of three groups of students–one group with a blank computer screen, one group with a mirror in the place of a computer screen, and one with access to Facebook, the college students who were able to log in to Facebook and update their status provided significantly more positive feedback about themselves later on during the study.

Researchers believe these findings to come from the possibility that the students who were able to log in to Facebook were able to put their best face forward.  After all, we have control over whatever status we type in.  On the contrary, the students who had to look into the mirror were forced to look at their actual selves, no masks.

The ability to edit your profile to make it say exactly what you want and a choose a profile picture to reflect exactly how you wish to express yourself makes people feel better about themselves because they get to show the people on their social network the image they purposefully construct.

Does updating your status make you happier?  What would you think makes college students happier?

How Public Colleges And Universities Spend Their Money

research universitySurprised how huge your college tuition is?  Even before students enroll in their first semester of college they begin their search for scholarships, grants and loans to pay for the huge cost of higher education.

A recent post from the Huffington Post might explain why your tuition is so expensive.  Where does all that college tuition money go?  Here’s a breakdown of  how public colleges and universities spend their money:

26% Instruction
12% Research
11% Hospital services
9% Auxiliary enterprises
8% Institutional support
7% Academic support
6% Other expenses and deductions
5% Public service
4% student services
4% Operation and maintenance of plants
3% Scholarships and fellowships
3% Depreciation
.5% Independent operations

Continue reading>>