CollegeWeekLive is the world’s biggest virtual college fair, with hundreds of colleges and universities from around the world exhibiting and tens of thousands of attendees. CollegeWeekLive events revolutionize college admissions, making the process easier and more cost-effective by bringing together students, parents, counselors and colleges online to interact, transcending time and distance. CollegeWeekLive is completely free to attendees. Sign up now.

CollegeWeekLive attendees can watch admissions experts speak on topics such as how to prepare for the SAT, how to write a winning application essay or how to pay for college and have questions answered via live chat. Attendees can also video chat with college students and learn what campus life is really like. The event features scholarships and special promotions available only to those who attend. It is FREE, sign up now.

I highly recommend you register, sign up and check out some of the archived video seminars.

CollegeWeekLive Features

• Live streaming video keynote presentations from college admission experts addressing college planning topics such as:
  • Financial Aid
  • Standardized Test (SAT, ACT)
  • College Admissions Trends
  • Sports Scholarships
• Real-time, interactive Q&A sessions with admissions officials
• Live interactive video chats with current college students providing an insiders perspective on their school and the admissions process
• Virtual booths for colleges, featuring electronic brochures, videos, webinars, podcasts and real-time IM and video chat between admissions counselors and students/parents
• Networking capabilities to connect students with other students and service providers
• A resource center for students and parents
• A services center to allow guidance counselors and other providers the ability to market their services and products
• Scholarship and financial aid resources to help students and parents

CollegeWeekLive Events, 2009 – 2010 School Year

While no one wants to hear criticism, it can be given and taken in a dignified manner, which promotes growth.  It’s all in the delivery.

When delivering criticism:
•    Keep your points focused on the topic and not personal.
•    Sandwich the criticism by communicating two positive points, then the criticism, followed by another positive point.

For example: “You were thoughtful in your discussion, especially pulling in the ideas concerning the environment.  I wonder if you might consider adding the economic point of view, which may strengthen your argument and bring it full circle.”
•    Try as best you can to remain calm when in this discussion.  Concentrate on keeping your voice even and at a normal level.
•    Select a good time to deliver this news.  Don’t give this type of feedback, when the person who will be receiving this, is stressed. They won’t hear what you are saying.

When receiving criticism:
•    Focus on the issue or topic.  It isn’t personal.  If the person, delivering the criticism is angry, stays strong, cut through the angry noise and listen to the message.
•    Do not argue with the criticism.  Accept it for the information submitted. Think about it afterwards.
•    If you feel the criticism was untrue, schedule a follow-up meeting.  Oftentimes the shock of the message can cause an emotional response and you can’t actually ‘hear’ the criticism.  The reaction you have to the message sometimes makes it more difficult to filter out the information.  It is usually better to allow yourself some time to digest the information, prior to reacting to it.
•    Be sure to tell the critic that you appreciate their interest.  This gesture invites a relationship of mutual trust and sharing. You might have gotten off track and a little criticism can get you back on the right track.

For more College Life Tips: check out my ebook!

One of the most important things you can do to get the most from your classes is to read the syllabus.

Get the most from your books

On your syllabus, you should see the books your professor wants you to read for each course.  Start with the textbooks and then scan the secondary books.  When are these books showing up on the syllabus?  If you’ll be reading these further into the semester, you might be able to buy the book, use it, then sell it to a classmate or friend. Or you may be able to buy those books with those friends and share them. Check it out and then talk to your classmates and friends.

Set up a blog to communicate back home

You can quickly set up a blog to share your college life with family and friends back home.  WordPress or Blogger have easy ways to create a blog in minutes.  Once you have your blog, some images [remember to edit those images, cropping goes a very long way towards improving images], and some words email your blogs URL to everyone back home.  It really is a fast way to communicate with many.  Do remember to update your blog often.

More College Advice:

Buy my eBook: College Life Tips: for Living the College Life.

Social Experiences:

• Smile: Statistics prove people who smile attract attention and are more popular. And who doesn’t need a little popularity in their lives?
• Join a Study Group: This is a no brainer, you will meet new people and get some studying done!
• Rush a Fraternity/Sorority: If this is your cup of tea, go for it.
• Got Roommate? Get Alternative Study Space: See if you can work out a schedule, so each of you have the whole room to yourselves 1 to 2 nights each week. Post the schedule and find your alternative study space [See Find an Alternative Study Space below]. Plus, you get your dorm room to yourself some nights as well.
• Join Groups: Free food is just the beginning. You will find all sorts of interesting groups exploring different topics. Shop around!

Academic Experiences:

• All Semesters Count: Do not be lead to think you can blow-off your first semester or any semester, for that matter. Your grade point average GPA is calculated on ALL your courses taken within your entire college career. Oh, and prospective employers do ask for college transcripts.
• Schedule Your Time and Stick to Your Schedule: You are responsible for your study, work and deadlines. Once you have all your syllabi, chart your due dates on whatever calendar you will use: paper, PDA, your computer, which ever way you will remember. Then, check your calendar daily and plan accordingly. Don’t be tempted to party the weekend before a big paper is due. Stick to your schedule.
• Find an Alternative Study Space:It might be the library, an alcove in your dorm, the union, the local coffee shop, or maybe all of these! Where ever your auxiliary study spaces are, use them when ever you need to get away from your dorm room or just want a change of pace. [Tip: Your alternative study space should have an electrical outlet and you should travel with an power strip complete with surge protector].

Stealing these tips will help you have a great college experience. Check out my eBook for more college life tips. And visit often.

This wonderful vintage globe will make a great conversation starter in your college dorm.  Ask friends to find where they are from or where they want to travel.

More dorm accessory ideas, dorm essentials, and other essential college life tips can be found in my eBook:

College Life Tips: for Living the College Life

Sure you can get a desk light from one of the Big-Box Stores, however it won’t be this cool!  This high intensity desk light will be a great help come study time and looks cool sitting on your desk.  Be sure you have good light for your dorm room.  It’s a dorm essential and can be a great dorm accessory.

For more dorm tips, check out my eBook:

College Life Tips: for Living the College Life

Just FYI, your Department’s secretary is a fountain of knowledge.

Ask them about:

• course requirements
• textbook titles
• software necessities
• professor’s office hours
• classroom allocations
• copies of the syllabus
• important paperwork
• heck, they might even be able to help you with your long division.

[Note: A thank you also helps!]

I think you get the idea.

Departmental secretaries have a wealth of information, at their fingertips.  Be sure to tap into their knowledge.

More useful college tips in my eBook:

College Life Tips: for Living the College Life.

Plastic shoe holders allow you to see your stuff, canvas may be more durable, and the mesh-type-fabric allows visibility and stored items can breathe.

You can even grow a garden in a  hanging shoe rack. Slide small pots of herbs or green plants into the shoe holder pockets.

And when you just have to keep your door open, try jamming the toe of a ‘spare pair’ under your door [be sure the shoe you choose, is yours and not your roommate's].

Think about the possibilities ’cause these storage solutions aren’t just for shoes anymore.  And shoes aren’t just for wearing either.

Look for more tips, for living the colleg life, in my eBook.

• Baskets with ventilation allow your items to breathe.
• Invest in totes with secure handles.
• Decide what you will be hauling before buying the tote. In other words, fit the basket to the stuff, not the stuff into the basket.
• Wear a pair of bathroom flip-flops in the shower.

Always take your key.

P.S. Be sure to tote our eBook College Life Tips: for Living the College Life.

Oh, and it is a download, so it really saves space.

Décor:
There are no two ways around it.  College dorms are small, simple, sterile, and you can’t do any permanent renovations to this space. That said, there ARE simple inexpensive things you can do to give your space some personality.

Ways you can do this:

• Keep windows clear so natural light can flow in.
• Place the furniture in a symmetrical manner, which will create a less cluttered feeling.
• Add color via: rugs, fabric and bedding
• Keep flat surfaces clear of clutter

Organization:

Showing responsibility for your room, your stuff, and keeping it all organized will go far in helping you create more time and less frustration. It takes a few steps and if you have a roommate, be sure to discuss these points with them. Always have zones established for the functions of your room.

Namely:

• Studying
• Sleeping
• Eating
• Entertaining

Storage-a place for everything and everything in its place

• As you are preparing to move into a dorm, remember NOT to bring too much.
• Maintain how much stuff comes in the room.
• Keep flat surfaces clear of clutter.
• Establish a routine for organizing and stick with it.

Would you like more ideas on dorm decor and organizing your dorm?

Get my eBook College Life Tips: for Living the College Life