Safe at Campus
The school year is fast approaching and with the start of school brings a large number of incoming freshmen to the countries Colleges and Universities. With this in mind here are some tips and ideas that should help everyone to feel safe and secure.
• Incoming freshmen should "decline" any invitations to have photographs or personal information published for distribution to the campus community.
• Do some recon of your neighborhood and the campus in regards to your routes from to and from each of your classes. Find out where the emergency phones and campus police stations are.
• Give all of your contact information such as cell number, home number, roommate’s cell number, and address to your parents, guardians, and close friends.
• Always travel with a group, if possible create a “buddy system” that can be used for travel to and from classes.
• Study the campus, academic buildings, residence halls, and other facilities while regular classes are being held, and after dark to see what buildings, walkways, quad areas, and parking lots are adequately secure, have appropriate lighting and are patrolled.
• To get an idea of the social climate of the university, drive down fraternity row on a weekend night or take a walk through the student hangouts. Remember that alcohol and/or drug abuse is involved in up to 90 percent of campus crime. Take time to carefully evaluate off-campus student housing, apartment complexes, and fraternity houses if you plan to live off campus.
• Don’t carry a purse or back pack on each shoulder; Don’t carry large amounts of cash. Don’t flaunt expensive jewelry. Lock valuables in the trunk. Don’t leave CD’s, tapes, textbooks, backpacks visible on car seats. • Never leave your book bag, purse, or cell phone unattended in the library, classrooms or on the rest room floor. Keep these items with you – it only takes a second for someone to take one of these items when unattended. While driving, if you notice that you are being followed, do not go home. Drive to the nearest police station, open store, or service station for help. If you are fearful of exiting your vehicle, blow your horn to draw attention to yourself. If at anytime you feel like you are in danger, notify authorities immediately.
Read Also:
* Plan 4 college
* Take tour
Friday, September 25, 2009
Take a Campus Tours
Take a Campus Tours
Campus tours are an important part of choosing your college. You will want to be sure to visit several college campuses while you are looking and planning for college. Visit while school is in schedule instead of summer or winter breaks.
Between high school, your job and your parent’s job, you may find it difficult to plan a good time to go visit campuses. Late summer and early September before your senior year of high school is usually an ideal time. If you are going to miss any school, be sure that you inform your school and professors ahead of time. Fall semesters and spring semesters are the best seasons to visit college campuses because the campus will be active and you will be able to get a taste of the school and how things work.
Students should also consider visiting campuses before they apply. Many colleges have new student conferences after students have been accepted to the college. These activities are very involved and students even have the opportunity to stay in the dorm rooms at some campuses. Students are generally placed in groups with current students of the college and they learn about the history of the school and everything there is to do there.
Many students often wait until they have received their admission letters to decide which college they want to attend. Many colleges will invite accepted candidate to spend a few days on campus and will encourage them to enroll then. This is a good opportunity to see the college and make comparisons between the schools that you have already toured or accepted you.
The worst time to plan a campus tour is around holidays. There are many students who work as guides and show prospective students and parents around the campus at specified times. If you are interested in the social life around campus and what activities and entertainment are available, the tour guide should be able to help you. If you have any questions regarding admissions, enrollment or financial aid, the tour guide will direct you to the appropriate offices.
Read Also:
* Plan 4 college
Campus tours are an important part of choosing your college. You will want to be sure to visit several college campuses while you are looking and planning for college. Visit while school is in schedule instead of summer or winter breaks.
Between high school, your job and your parent’s job, you may find it difficult to plan a good time to go visit campuses. Late summer and early September before your senior year of high school is usually an ideal time. If you are going to miss any school, be sure that you inform your school and professors ahead of time. Fall semesters and spring semesters are the best seasons to visit college campuses because the campus will be active and you will be able to get a taste of the school and how things work.
Students should also consider visiting campuses before they apply. Many colleges have new student conferences after students have been accepted to the college. These activities are very involved and students even have the opportunity to stay in the dorm rooms at some campuses. Students are generally placed in groups with current students of the college and they learn about the history of the school and everything there is to do there.
Many students often wait until they have received their admission letters to decide which college they want to attend. Many colleges will invite accepted candidate to spend a few days on campus and will encourage them to enroll then. This is a good opportunity to see the college and make comparisons between the schools that you have already toured or accepted you.
The worst time to plan a campus tour is around holidays. There are many students who work as guides and show prospective students and parents around the campus at specified times. If you are interested in the social life around campus and what activities and entertainment are available, the tour guide should be able to help you. If you have any questions regarding admissions, enrollment or financial aid, the tour guide will direct you to the appropriate offices.
Read Also:
* Plan 4 college
Plan for Colleges
Plan for Campus
I saw a lot of colleges growing up, thanks to graduations, summer programs and local cultural events. But my first official "campus visit," as in "Do you think you want to go to school here?," was right after tenth grade. Listen up, everyone - it is not an option to begin applying to colleges without ever having a meaningful visit to a campus, even the one right down the street. Here are seven simple steps to personalizing even a local campus visit so you can begin exploring the universities on your radar - and plant your sneakered feet on what might be your future alma mater.
1. List four of your personal interests: a possible major (like English or biology), an activity you enjoy (like swimming or songwriting), a community you're part of (like an ethnic or religious connection), and one form of entertainment you love (like music or poetry slams).
2. Explore the school's Web site. Search their events, announcements and blogs for things that relate to your four interests.
3. Contact the admissions and financial aids offices. All campus visits should begin with a call or email to the admissions office to find out everything they offer to visiting students and set up an admissions meeting. See if the admissions rep can set up a dorm visit and a student chat, too. Schedule a talk with a financial aid rep, also, if you can.
4. Plan at least one activity for each of your four interests.
o For your possible major, check out a class or meet with a faculty member or TA (teaching assistant). Don't be intimidated - start by asking what is the most fun and what is the hardest thing about that course of study. Be sure to talk to students before and after class, too.
o For an activity you enjoy, see if a club or sport you're interested in has a team practice, a rehearsal or a planning session you can attend. Lots of campus groups have their own pages on the college Web site with schedules and contact info.
o For a community experience, find a relevant organization (like a women's folk group, a Black Student Union or Hillel) and see what kind of service projects, festivals or other events you can attend or even volunteer at during your visit.
o For an entertainment fix, you might see who's playing at the campus coffee house, go to a game (lots of sporting events are free), or ask if you can stop by the campus radio station while you're there.
5. Prep for the day. Make a copy of the directions, schedule, itinerary and contact list for every student going with you and their parents or guardians. Charge your cell phone, and if it does not have a camera, get a cheap disposable one. Pack drinks and snacks, or bring cash for food and drinks. And if you're staying overnight, bring a small gift for your student hosts (baked goods are always awesome).
6. GO VISIT THAT CAMPUS! Enjoy your events, meet people, take pictures, absorb the experience. Do you see yourself living here for four years? An important note: have fun, but don't be foolish. Do not get into any cars with, accept food or drinks from, or go into any buildings or rooms with strangers, even if they are young and happy-looking. And check in with the family a few times throughout the day if they didn't come with you.
7. Commemorate the day. Take your pictures, metro passes, event programs, and more, and scrapbook them when you get back. Or just clip them together and put them into a folder. Be sure to write down a quick sentence or two about the visit while it's still fresh.
After a few more college visits, you'll start to realize you're not falling in love with each particular campus. You are getting psyched about college life in general.
I saw a lot of colleges growing up, thanks to graduations, summer programs and local cultural events. But my first official "campus visit," as in "Do you think you want to go to school here?," was right after tenth grade. Listen up, everyone - it is not an option to begin applying to colleges without ever having a meaningful visit to a campus, even the one right down the street. Here are seven simple steps to personalizing even a local campus visit so you can begin exploring the universities on your radar - and plant your sneakered feet on what might be your future alma mater.
1. List four of your personal interests: a possible major (like English or biology), an activity you enjoy (like swimming or songwriting), a community you're part of (like an ethnic or religious connection), and one form of entertainment you love (like music or poetry slams).
2. Explore the school's Web site. Search their events, announcements and blogs for things that relate to your four interests.
3. Contact the admissions and financial aids offices. All campus visits should begin with a call or email to the admissions office to find out everything they offer to visiting students and set up an admissions meeting. See if the admissions rep can set up a dorm visit and a student chat, too. Schedule a talk with a financial aid rep, also, if you can.
4. Plan at least one activity for each of your four interests.
o For your possible major, check out a class or meet with a faculty member or TA (teaching assistant). Don't be intimidated - start by asking what is the most fun and what is the hardest thing about that course of study. Be sure to talk to students before and after class, too.
o For an activity you enjoy, see if a club or sport you're interested in has a team practice, a rehearsal or a planning session you can attend. Lots of campus groups have their own pages on the college Web site with schedules and contact info.
o For a community experience, find a relevant organization (like a women's folk group, a Black Student Union or Hillel) and see what kind of service projects, festivals or other events you can attend or even volunteer at during your visit.
o For an entertainment fix, you might see who's playing at the campus coffee house, go to a game (lots of sporting events are free), or ask if you can stop by the campus radio station while you're there.
5. Prep for the day. Make a copy of the directions, schedule, itinerary and contact list for every student going with you and their parents or guardians. Charge your cell phone, and if it does not have a camera, get a cheap disposable one. Pack drinks and snacks, or bring cash for food and drinks. And if you're staying overnight, bring a small gift for your student hosts (baked goods are always awesome).
6. GO VISIT THAT CAMPUS! Enjoy your events, meet people, take pictures, absorb the experience. Do you see yourself living here for four years? An important note: have fun, but don't be foolish. Do not get into any cars with, accept food or drinks from, or go into any buildings or rooms with strangers, even if they are young and happy-looking. And check in with the family a few times throughout the day if they didn't come with you.
7. Commemorate the day. Take your pictures, metro passes, event programs, and more, and scrapbook them when you get back. Or just clip them together and put them into a folder. Be sure to write down a quick sentence or two about the visit while it's still fresh.
After a few more college visits, you'll start to realize you're not falling in love with each particular campus. You are getting psyched about college life in general.
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