There’s a basic formula for writing cover letters when applying for jobs, but letters of interest are a bit different. A letter of interest is something you send to a potential employer to introduce yourself, provide your qualifications, and express an overall desire to work in the company. Maybe the company of your dreams is […]
The IRS reports that identity theft is among the fastest growing crimes in the country. Between 2011 and 2012, they more than doubled their number of employees dedicated to identity theft cases. Considering how much is done online today—from registering for events to buying just about anything, it’s not too hard to believe. You’ve probably […]
For most college students, midterms are looming closer and closer, that one last roadblock before the relief that is spring break. And while some of your peers may have gotten the jump on studying for exams, there are plenty others that let things get the better of them. Fear not, procrastinators, for we have the […]
Flu season is upon us. It’s the time of year where classmates get sick in waves, and everyone seems to know at least one person who’s currently feeling under the weather. But how much do you really know about the flu? Check out these five interesting and important facts about the flu so you know […]
It’s that time of year again—time to pack up and get pumped for your upcoming spring break. Throw textbooks and worries to the wind as you enjoy your much-needed break from hectic college life. While this is definitely a time for celebrating, you shouldn’t be quite so carefree as to forget about safety. Before heading […]
There’s a basic formula for writing cover letters when applying for jobs, but letters of interest are a bit different. A letter of interest is something you send to a potential employer to introduce yourself, provide your qualifications, and express an overall desire to work in the company. Maybe the company of your dreams is located right in your city, and you’d be happy working any position as long as it’s under their roof. When there are no job postings or hiring announcements, writing a letter of interest might be able to help. But how should you go about writing it? Here are tips to help you get started:
1. Make it personal
Since letters of interest are unsolicited, you need to make sure yours is strong and comes off as completely genuine. Don’t send out a generic letter of interest to 10 different companies; make sure to mentioned specific details about the company’s philosophy and mission statement. Explain why you’re attracted to this company, and why you think you would be a perfect fit to work there. Continue reading…
The IRS reports that identity theft is among the fastest growing crimes in the country. Between 2011 and 2012, they more than doubled their number of employees dedicated to identity theft cases. Considering how much is done online today—from registering for events to buying just about anything, it’s not too hard to believe. You’ve probably entered your bank account, social security, and credit card numbers online plenty of times and not thought much of it. However, given the serious threat of identity theft, it’s important to be very careful when and where you use your personal information online. Tax season, which runs from January 1st to April 15th, is a particularly risky time for identity theft. With everyone filing their tax returns, documents like W-2 forms and bank statements are being submitted online and mailed out like clockwork. That’s a lot of important financial information circulating at one time. Identity thieves know this, and want to work it to their advantage. So what can you do to keep your information safe as a college student?
For most college students, midterms are looming closer and closer, that one last roadblock before the relief that is spring break. And while some of your peers may have gotten the jump on studying for exams, there are plenty others that let things get the better of them.
Fear not, procrastinators, for we have the ultimate guide for cramming for your midterm exams! Continue reading…
Flu season is upon us. It’s the time of year where classmates get sick in waves, and everyone seems to know at least one person who’s currently feeling under the weather. But how much do you really know about the flu? Check out these five interesting and important facts about the flu so you know what you’re up against this season.
1. Difference between the flu and a cold
The *CDC defines the flu as “[...] a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs.” So how is does this differ from the common cold? Symptoms of the flu include cough, fever, sore throat, nasal congestion, body aches, headaches, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. While colds do have several overlapping symptoms, they will usually come in stages, will clear up much more quickly, and be more mild overall. The flu can keep you in bed for days and even weeks, and can lead to more serious complications like pneumonia. If you think you have the flu, it’s important to make an appointment with your school’s health center because sometimes antibiotics will be prescribed.
It’s that time of year again—time to pack up and get pumped for your upcoming spring break. Throw textbooks and worries to the wind as you enjoy your much-needed break from hectic college life. While this is definitely a time for celebrating, you shouldn’t be quite so carefree as to forget about safety. Before heading out, be sure to look over this list of tips for spring break safety.
Leaving your dorm or apartment:
First thing’s first: before leaving for spring break, you’ll need to secure your room and belongings. Follow your dorm regulations with the basics like defrosting your mini fridge and taking out the trash, but also take measures to keep your belongings safe. Take your valuables with you or store them out of sight in your room. You can also consider renters insurance to help protect your personal property. And of course, remember to lock up! Continue reading…
When students go off to college, they take their most essential personal items with them, which also happen to be their most valuable—think laptop, smartphone, electronics, and an entire wardrobe to name a few. Theft and vandalism are common on college campuses and student housing facilities, so this means you’ll have to be careful to keep your belongings safe. However, thievery and vandalism are often committed by fellow students who have easy access to dorms, common areas, and the library, so it can be tough trying to keep your belongings inaccessible. Practicing common sense and taking important precautionary measures certainly help reduce the risks, but sometimes luck just isn’t on your side. For those times, it can be comforting to know that insurance can help keep you covered. Could you afford to replace your belongings in the event of theft, vandalism, fire, and other unforeseen circumstances? Read on to learn about insurance choices that can help keep your valuables protected at school.
A student leaves their backpack unattended for one second only to come back and find it missing. Another student watches in horror as their apartment is up in flames. Another accidentally pulls the sprinkler system causing the residence hall to flood.
In those instances when a student takes a loss, students have to figure out how to cover that loss.
“Renter’s insurance is an optional insurance policy to help protect students from unforeseen loss of property,” Amy Murphy, the dean of students and director of campus life, said.
While Texas Tech does not offer renter’s insurance, it is provided by outside companies that offer low deductibles and includes protection of personal liability and property loss as well, Murphy said.
It’s hard to believe that it’s already time for many college students to be worrying about their midterm exams and all the stress that goes along with it. But fear not, for we have the perfect study attack plan to make sure you nail your midterms just in time to relax and enjoy spring break!
1. First of all, try to keep up on things in your classes. Write things down in a planner or notebook, plan out assignments, and actually start writing that 200 point paper before the morning it’s due. Okay, so, say that was going well for a couple weeks then, whoops, you had a bad couple days, missed a few classes, and now you’re behind. Don’t panic – there’s still hope for you yet! If you find yourself falling behind in classes, then it’s time to get chatty. Talk to your fellow classmates, ask what you’ve been missing and what they’ve been doing. Maybe set up times to study together with your acquaintances in the class. But don’t stop there! Go to your professor’s office hours, ask what you can do to get caught up, and then do it. That part is important. Continue reading…
When you graduate from college, you have a of options about how to make your next move. Some will try to jump into the workforce, some take time off, and others think about continuing their education by applying to graduate school. If you’re considering grad school, make sure to ask yourself these five questions first:
1. Am I sure of what I want to study?
Graduate school is obviously different than the undergraduate experience. You might have started out as a freshman with an undeclared major, and took your time deciding on what to major in. Grad school doesn’t really offer that luxury. You have to know what it is that you want to study and what degree you’d like to eventually obtain. This will make searching through grad programs easier. If you don’t have any specific goals in mind though, grad school might not be the best idea.
2. Will this advance my career prospects?
When you already know what it is you want to study in grad school, you need to ask yourself how it will affect your professional future. Grad school will take up a lot of your time and it can be pretty expensive. You might want to get an MFA in creative writing, but will that help you get a paying career before you can be a bestselling author? If you’re interested in something that won’t necessarily help your career prospects, consider putting off grad school until you have more stability and a steady income.
3. Can I afford it?
Most students graduate college with a huge pile of student loans. It’s important to think about how you’ll tackle those payments in addition to new bills for grad school. Try looking for scholarships and grants, and find out what schools and programs would be within your budget. Also consider the fact that some jobs will help pay for your graduate school classes! So if you’re ready to jump into the job market, find out what companies offer tuition reimbursement.
4. What schedule would be best?
Grad school accommodates for people’s busy schedules, so think about what time commitments would best suit your lifestyle. Full time, part time? Would you take night classes after work, or go during the day? Depending on what schedule you make for yourself, you can earn your degree in different amounts of time. Consider that too—do you want to devote three years to grad school, or do you want to set a sooner cutoff date and work from there?
5. Can I be fully committed?
Don’t forget that grad school is hard work. You’ll have to work more independently, and there will be higher expectations for you. You might get less guidance from professors than you did as an undergrad, and you’ll have to be self-motivated to stay on top of all your ongoing assignments. Make sure that you’ll be able to balance your grad school workload with any outside commitments you have.
If you’ve considered the above questions and are ready to start the graduate school search, excellent! Refer to this article to see what tests you’ll have to complete to be eligible.
Students go off to college to further their education, but for many that isn’t all they do while they’re there. 80% of college students drink alcohol and in popular culture, college parties have become infamous. So how much are students really drinking? Can this have a negative impact on student health? Check it out in the infographic below:
