Tip #2 -Commuting

Thinking about choosing a school that includes a commute in the route? Whether it be a community college or a four-year college, the workload can be rough. Do you really want to add a half-hour drive into the mix each way? However, thinking economically, do you have the option of free housing (e.g. with family or friends)? because the cost of gas to drive to school and the parking pass may be less than the cost of on campus housing. In my situation, going to a university without housing of any kind, I had no choice but to commute. There is no university parking either, so getting a pass is out of the question. I had to fight for a parking space a mile from the campus every day. These are things to think about...

If you are considering commuting, you aren't alone. 87% of all college students live off-campus.

So, here are the options:
1) Pay for the car (insurance, purchasing cost, etc...), gas, and parking.
2) Live on campus
3) Public transportation

1) Pros:

• Perfect for that trip into town or late night pranks a little ways away
• face it: anybody who has a car in college is cool -Ergo you'll make friends
• Ever need to get away? Now you can.

Cons:

• A car accident could really ruin your plans even if you didn't cause it
• sometimes (like me) parking is not available so get ready to do walking
• People always ask for rides, but these poor college students can never seem to pay for gas
• adding more empty time to your schedule might break it!

2) Pros:

• You can experience the college atmosphere
• friends are next door
• the campus is a two minute walk--always.
• Wake up two minutes before class? No time, no problem

Cons:

• Can't see your family and friends back home
• Economic Cost
• You might not be ready to "live" with someone

3) Pros:

• Last minute assignment need polishing, and the commute allows for hands-free
• Cheap--cost of gas is more than the bus ticket
• Many colleges offer transportation discounts for students. Mine was $45 flat rate no matter how often I traveled.

Cons:

• Stops: the commute can be much longer when the bus stops at every street corner
• If you miss the bus, thats all there is. Wait for the next one and suck up being late to class
• Tricky to figure out at first. A few calls home with "Mom, Im lost" whipped me into bus-chart-reading shape

Sorry to be so long-winded! There it is. Any of the three choices work for any college student. Just make sure that the one you pick works well for you! Until next tip...

Tip #1 -Starbucks

To kick off my new calling as a college blogger, I have decided to address the most familiar topic to all college students: Coffee. Well, not just any coffee. Starbucks.

See, the problem is that college students are poor, but that coffee fix needs to be filled right? Do you find yourself unable to wake up without it? Here are some tips to keep Starbucks from being your alarm clock, biggest investment, but still keep drinking the liquid you love.

1. Drink your coffee at least three hours after waking up in the morning. Why? because as you use the coffee religiously to get you out of bed, your body relies more and more on it. After a tough all-nighter, coffee may not be able to give you any boost at all. To ensure that coffee will be there when you need it, dont think you need it when you dont.

2. Look for alternatives. Have you ever priced a coffee maker? How about bags of coffee beans? They may seem expensive now, but how much do you spend on coffee at Starbucks? I would guess that if you need your coffee enough, an investment like a coffee maker is right for you!!

3. Use natural substances for everyday wake-up. (Save the coffee for the tough ones) One liquid that I have found works well is Gatorade AM, which replenishes the liquids lost while asleep. Other non-caffeinated beverages include apple ciders, hot chocolates, even a cold glass of milk can do wonders in the morning. Also try Instant Breakfast.

4. Get a schedule to utilize free time (rid yourself of unnecessary late nights and the subsequent coffee dependency!) Even sticky notes left on your bed post to remind you of upcoming assignments, due dates, events, and commitments can keep them fresh on your mind so that when you have a second, you get ahead leaving the all-nighters out to dry.

Remember, coffee is good. Its not good enough for me to spend a quarter's tuition on over the course of my four-year degree. Just think about that and drink responsibly!

IVE DECIDED!!!

I will be blog about the college life: what to consider when choosing a college, my personal experiences, loopholes, dealing with the economics, how to deal with school and life, and other such college issues. I will also live up to my name and post daily. That is what you can expect from me in the near future!!!

Biggest Online Purchase

I recently asked my grandfather what the biggest online purchase he would make is, and he told me that he has already bought a car on Ebay, and could be willing to buy larger. So what is the problem with purchasing online?
Security is a big issue, with credit card numbers and identity being stolen everyday. Entire bank accounts can be drained and credit scores can be ruined. In the long run, I dont think these are the main problems people have with purchasing online.
I think its with getting the items you bought in the condition you thought they were in. My dad said that he would definately buy a car online, but only through a reputable dealer. He would never buy something so costly through Ebay. The question that scares off buyers is this: Will I get what I paid for, in the condition I paid for?
For myself, I have bought a $1000 Electric Keyboard online, and I would be willing to buy up to about $5,000. But like I said, only from some organization that I can trust.

Virtual Communities--Is it a Stretch??

NO WAY!!

What is one of the first online communities that comes to mind? Myspace.

Another?

Facebook. Which by the way was recently valued at $15 Billion. Are social networking sites valuable? Why? How?

What makes an online community anyways?? What makes a real community? Dictionary.com lists a community as thus:

a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage.

By this definition, an online community can be easily achieved. We all share a specific locality we call the world wide web. The only difficult part is the common government. The community of Triggerstreet has something called a "Hall of Justice," in which people can be reffered for inappropriate content or actions. Facebook even has a "report for abuse" button.

These communities are actually valuable. Pushy sales salespeople turn into pure referrals and actions on the whole part and willingness of the consumer. Now that is the best reason for communities. That is why they are invaluable. Social sales, social news, social world. These networking sites are the way of the future.