Top Ten Study Strategies

2-Minute Spill: One of the easiest and most effective testing strategies is to take a blank sheet of paper with you to your test. Show it to your instructor or have the Testing Center stamp it so they know it is blank. When you get your test, don't look at it. Instead take up to 2 minutes to write, on the blank paper, anything you struggle to remember. Don't waste time writing down things you already know, only the things that are confusing or difficult to remember (equations, lists, etc.). You can then begin working on the test without the anxiety of trying to remember those difficult things.

Q Cards: These worked when you were a kid, so why not use them now? Using index cards, write a question on one side of the card and the answer on the other. You can take these with you and review them while waiting for a bus or when you have a few spare minutes. They are quick and convenient. Some variations include wording the answer like a question as well (That way you learn the material two ways.), drawing pictures, using different colors, etc.Link......

Student Success Stories

Frankie Jensen

At UVSC’s School of Business convocation exercises April 2007, Frankie Jensen, her daughter Vicki Peterson and her son Jacob Jensen each donned a cap and gown to receive a bachelor’s degree diploma. For Frankie, reaching a milestone in her life she never thought she’d reach is all the sweeter with the presence of her children.
In 1997, Frankie needed to learn how to use a computer for her job at a manufacturing company. It had been 25 years since she’d last taken a college course, but she decided to enroll in an associate of applied science program at UVSC to update her skills. Because she had a husband, four children, two grandsons and a full-time job, she only had time to take a course or two at a time, but before long, Frankie completed the program and began to mull over the idea of pursuing a bachelor’s degree.Link....

Student Success Stories

Amanda Rollins

Amanda Rollins, from Provo, was a physical education teacher with a passion for writing when she started at UVSC in 2004, pursuing a degree in elementary education. But what started as an interest in writing, soon took an unexpected turn when she inquired about a position at UVSC’s student newspaper, The College Times.

"They told me they didn’t need a writer, but could use a broadcast reporter for NetXNews,” Rollins said. “I thought I’d give it a try.”

Rollins reported and anchored for UVSC’s NetXNews for more than a year and in the process changed her major to communications. Rollins had never thought of pursuing a career in broadcast journalism prior to her experience with NetXNews, but now she can’t imagine herself doing anything else. “It changed my career path,” she said. “I fell in love with it and it just fits me.”

During her time as a UVSC reporter, Rollins interviewed people like John Stossell and the Ambassador of Singapore, among others. Rollins feels UVSC has made her marketable, and there is nowhere she would rather be gaining her experience from.

“I bleed green I think,” she said. “I’ve gained so much applicable work experience here, including camera skills, editing skills, producing skills, people skills, interview skills, poise, professionalism and a lot more confidence.”

On the side, Rollins also works part-time for the Provo City Police Department, working mainly with the Victim Advocate Program. She’s been able to produce videos that teach children how to be safe at school, serve on committees for public safety in the community and produce brochures and pamphlets for domestic violence awareness. In October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Rollins plans to produce a broadcast story for UVSC’s cable channel to raise awareness in the community.Link.....

Helping Students Succeed !!!!

UVU wants students to get the most out of their educational experience.

We want you to succeed in your educational goals, career development, and personal planning and decision-making.

Here you will find a variety of resources to help you on your path to success. Link.....

Six Ways to Get Last-Minute Cash for College

Here’s what I’d call a bad day:

You just received a college tuition bill for the upcoming school year, but you can’t possibly pay the full amount.

This financial disconnect is happening a lot this year. Here’s one reason why: Colleges make financial aid decisions based on a family’s income during the previous calendar year. So aid packages assembled for the 2009-10 academic year are based on what parents earned in 2008. For anybody who has been laid off or is struggling with catastrophic medical bills, those old figures are as real as Bernie Madoff’s popularity numbers.

There’s still time, however, to snag last-minute financial aid cash. Here’s how:

1. Ask for help. Schools, which are being inundated with last-minute aid appeals, are trying their best to help families. According to a U.S. News & World Report article, for instance, the University of California at Berkeley has approved 85% of its financial aid appeals this year. In a normal year, Berkeley rejects half the requests.

2. Update the school. Let the school know if your family’s finances have changed since you completed the financial aid applications. Be as specific as possible about your current situation by offering to provide pay stubs, major bills, tax forms and any other relevant documents.

3. Have your child make the call. It’s more likely that a financial aid officer will be a softy if a student makes the pitch for more money.

4. Be persistent. Find out what staffer will be handling your case. If you don’t hear back from a school, don’t assume your request was denied. It might have been trapped in voice mail purgatory. Try again.

5. Don’t procrastinate. It’s better to plead your case now while money might still be available than waiting until the back-to-school sales start. If you dawdle until then, the cash in the institutional kitty might be gone.

6. When in doubt, file for financial aid. Even if you currently don’t need a college’s help, it makes sense to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Without submitting this document, you won’t be eligible for any federal or state assistance if you encounter financial trouble. The FAFSA deadline is June 30.

International Student Affairs

SCPS WELCOMES INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Welcome to New York University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Each year, over 6,400 international students from as many as 140 countries come to New York City to study at NYU. The largest private university in the world, NYU is comprised of 15 schools, enrolling nearly 50,000 students a year. We take special pride in our international dimension and provide extensive resources to help students from other countries enjoy and successfully complete their studies.

NYU-SCPS offers 14 industry-focused masters degrees, as well as graduate certificates and undergraduate degrees. From the application process through graduation, we guide and nurture each of our international students, helping you prepare for living in New York, offering services to evaluate and hone your English language skills, and providing valuable student resources to make you feel at home.Link....

STUDENT VISAS

Continuing Education Programs Visa Information

Many continuing education and diploma programs do not qualify participants for a student (F–1) visa. Students who are required to obtain a nonimmigrant visa for entry into the United States must consider alternative options, such as a tourist’s visa. Students enrolled in certain courses are eligible to apply for the student (F-1) visa.Link....

My Schools Insurance Requirements in the USA

This is a question that we are continually being asked, and especially as we head into August - its something we hear more and more often. For schools in the USA, they will require all students to obtain or purchase some form of coverage before they will let you enroll in classes - and you will run into a few scenarios:

1. Schools will require you to enroll in their health plan - you have no choice and no right to waive out
2. Schools will strongly suggest you to enroll in their plan - but you can waive out if you show proof of other, comparable coverage.
3. Schools will let you choose and purchase your own insurance plan (either with, or without coverage guidelines)

In the first scenario - you will have no choice but to accept the schools insurance plan and pay for it. This is becoming more popular for schools to handle their insurance this way as the schools can regulate the coverage and will know what all their students are covered for.

The second and third scenario are also very common, but it has become increasingly complex for students to try and find coverage as many schools will require the insurance to meet certain guidelines and levels. Schools will also use what they call “Insurance Waiver Forms” which are documents that need to be completed by students who do not wish to purchase the schools insurance plan. It will contain your details, the details about the plan you have purchased and must be signed by your insurance company to show that the plan you have purchased meets their requirements.Link....

Top 10 Study Abroad Tips

Studying abroad can be a fun and safe experience but it is important to realize that you are subject to the laws and customs of another country.
1. Make sure you have a signed, valid passport and visas, if required. Also, before you go, fill in the emergency information page of your passport!
2. Read the Consular Information Sheets (and Public Announcements or Travel Warnings, if applicable) for the countries you plan to visit.
3. Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas with family or friends at home, so that you can be contacted in case of an emergency. Keep your host program informed of your whereabouts.
4. Make sure you have insurance that will cover your emergency medical needs (including medical evacuation) while you are overseas.
5. Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are traveling. Remember, while in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws!
6. Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas and never accept packages from strangers.
7. While abroad, avoid using illicit drugs or drinking excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages, and associating with people who do.
8. Do not become a target for thieves by wearing conspicuous clothing and expensive jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of cash or unnecessary credit cards.
9. Deal only with authorized agents when you exchange money to avoid violating local laws.
10. When overseas, avoid demonstrations and other situations that may become unruly or where anti-American sentiments may be expressed.Link....

International Financial Aid Resources

The InternationalStudentLoan.com International Financial Aid resources pages are designed to provide you with further information about studying abroad with articles and resources on several areas of studying abroad such as finance information, insurance information, how to prepare for your time abroad and much more. We also have further information about our loan programs such as which school participate in our loan program and more...Link...

International Student Loans

As the number of international students studying in the USA continues to increase, the need for international financial aid is constantly growing. To address this need, we provide access to loans for non-US Citizens from anywhere in the world who are planning to study at approved schools throughout the USA. We have been a leader in providing loans for international students since 1998, and thousands of international students have applied for loans through our programs. Due to the credit crunch, the availability of loans for international students has been severely impacted. However, there are still loans available - submit your information through the Apply Now button and we will match you with a loan for which you may be eligible to apply. Link....