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I aspire to make a large difference in this world. I would like to graduate high school with my AA and proceed to get more education. I plan to use my education to get the job of my dreams, in travel nursing. This job will allow me to work along people who share the same passion and also make a sufficient amount of money to support my family.

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I decided for my own success, I would include a link to a page that exposes all of the useful tips that may be helpful to myself in the near future.

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When I started college, I was just like any other normal student. My only real concerns were my classes and my part-time job; everything else I did was for fun.

I learned a lot during my freshman year, though, and as I learned I began to focus on more productive things.

Here's a collection of college tips and bits of info that helped me out a lot.

1. Always go to class. A lot of bloggers will debate this one, but I think it's essential. You never know when the professor will drop a crucial test hint, or give out extra credit for attendance.

2. If you have to choose between a double major and getting involved on campus, get involved. All the knowledge in the world won't help you if you come out of college with no experience or professional relationships.

3. ALWAYS back up your files. Dropbox makes this easy as can be.

4. Make sure your computer is protected against malware. Install Microsoft Security Essentials or Avast Anti-virus, and use a web browser other than Internet Explorer. Installing the Adblock extension doesn't hurt, either.

5. Learn to do your taxes and your FAFSA yourself, instead of letting your parents do it. Knowing how to handle these things will prepare you for life after college.

6. Get a bank account with a bank in town. It can be really inconvenient having to wait for Mom to send cash, and it teaches you to manage your own finances.

7. Get a credit card, and make all your month's purchases on it up to 20% of the card's balance. This will help to start building your credit. If you start spending more, or can't pay the balance in full for even one month, tear the card up.

8. Bring enough clothing to school with you that you can go two weeks between washings. This will save you money in the long run.

9. Never leave your clothes in a washer after the cycle is over. Be there to take them out a minute before the cycle ends. Not doing this is rude, and people WILL pull your clothes out and set them somewhere.

10. If you have new colored clothes, wash colors separately from whites the first few times you wear them. Otherwise, toss 'em all in the same load if they'll fit.

11. Try not to drink too much caffeine. It's really not good for you (it caused pretty bad acne for me), and you can get energy by staying well-hydrated, eating healthy foods, and sleeping enough.

12. If you're having issues with your roommate, talk about them. Don't let them build up to the point where you can't stand each other.

13. Get a part-time job, preferably doing something that relates to your major. If you can, work in the early morning - you'd just be sleeping otherwise. I've found that having a job actually helped with my time management when I first started school.

14. If you can't find a part-time job that relates to your major, look for a "warm-body" job - one that allows you to do homework while working. Some examples would be working at the desk of the library or the athletic center.

15. If your school offers a position that helps with summer orientation for incoming students, apply for it. This kind of job will build your confidence and communication skills like none other.

16. Get to know your professors. College is just as much about networking as it is about sitting in class. Plus, most of them are bored out of their skulls during office hours.

17. If you have younger siblings that come to visit, supervise their use of your microwave. Trust me on this one.

18. Don't bring a car to campus if you don't need one. Many schools have great public transit systems, and Facebook can net you rides when you need them.

19. If you are bringing your car to campus, buy the parking permit that puts your car closer to you, even if it's a bit more expensive. It'll save you a lot of time (and whining).

20. Live in the campus residence halls your first year if you can. Residence halls are much, much more social than apartments, and you'll be involved in a lot more cool things.

21. Realize that you are an adult now; just because you don't have to go to work for eight hours a day doesn't mean you shouldn't act like it. Be professional.

22. When you study, don't do it in your room. Also, try to use an active study method such as making flashcards or writing your own quizzes. It's a lot less boring and a lot more effective than just looking over your professor's slides.

23. Getting a tutor does not make you look dumb. Not getting one when you need help does.

24. Flip-flops in the bathroom. No exceptions.

25. Freezy Pops from Wal-Mart are a great substitute for fattier desserts.

26. Take smart notes. Find a note-taking system that works well for you, and focus on learning rather than simply recording the information.

27. Find out when you can register for classes and do right at that moment. You'll thank yourself later when your friends are having to do an extra semester because they couldn't get into a required class.

28. Try out as many clubs as you can. Feel no obligation to them if you don't like them. College is about finding out what you love to do.

29. Don't put your alarm clock anywhere you can reach it. Make yourself get out of bed to turn it off. If you're in need of an even more strict solution, here's how I force myself to get up early every morning.

30. If your roommate isn't still sleeping, turn on the light immediately after waking up. Light helps you feel more awake and reduces the chances of you going back to bed.

31. Don't get drunk, but don't miss the show when your friends do 🙂

32. You need a calendar. Google Calendar is probably the best one there is.

33. Never underestimate the value of a care package from Mom.

34. Get out and explore your campus. If you have to ask your friends where the main financial office is, you've failed. Same goes for exploring the city your campus is in.

35. Find out what resources your school offers. Many universities have free tech support centers, health centers, seminars, and more.

36. Get an internship the summer after your sophomore year. You'll forge professional connections early on and make it easier to get another internship the next summer. Graduating with two under your belt will give you a real leg up on the competition.

37. Keep a journal if you can. It's great to be able to go back and see how you've progressed over the years.

38. Connect with your school's career center; your career advisor will be an invaluable resource in the years to come.

39. Create a resume if you don't already have one, and have it critiqued by someone who knows what they're doing. Also, create your own personal website to show off your work. If you don't know how, here's a complete website building guide. At the very least, secure your domain name now.

40. Go to every career fair, even if you've already lined up a summer job. You want to build relationships with recruiters, and they'll remember your face if you show up every time.

41. Take a speech class, even if you don't have to. Communication skills are among the more important things recruiters look for in students.

42. Be confident, get out of your comfort zone, and try new things. College is the greatest opportunity you'll ever have for personal development.

There you have it - the answers to life, the universe, and everything - or maybe just to making freshman year the best it can be. Leave your own college tips in the comments!

Looking for More College Tips?

If you found this article useful and you'd like to get even more tips - specifically about studying and getting better grades - I think you'll enjoy my free 100+ page book called 10 Steps to Earning Awesome Grades (While Studying Less).

The book covers topics like:

Defeating procrastination

Getting more out of your classes

Taking great notes

Reading your textbooks more efficiently

...and several more. It also has a lot of recommendations for tools and other resources that can make your studying easier.

If you'd like a free copy of the book, let me know where I should send it:

I'll also keep you updated about new posts and videos that come out on this blog (they'll be just as good as this one or better) 🙂

Extra Reading Recommendations

Here are a few more articles you might find useful after reading this one:

You also might enjoy the College Info Geek channel on YouTube, which has new videos on studying and learning each week. Good luck out there!

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When I started college, I was just like any other normal student. My only real concerns were my classes and my part-time job; everything else I did was for fun. I learned a lot during my freshman year, though, and as I learned I began to focus on more productive things.

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I chose add a link to the athletics department of a college I have previously mentioned. I included this because I desire to be a college athlete and fulfill  entire college experience. It includes a mobile app.

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RollinsSports.com Mobile - Rollins College Athletics - RollinsSports.com

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RollinsSports.com is the Official Web site of Rollins College Athletics.

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I included a link to a site about travel nursing, a job I am very excited to pursue in he future. This job would be amazing and this information may clear some things up for anyone interested.

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Each state has its own requirements for licensure, which likely includes paperwork, some type of exam, and hundreds of dollars in fees. For many nurses, going through the process once is tedious enough; for those who wish to have the ability practice in more than one state, it can be consuming.

So what happens for those who decide to become traveling nurses, which might involve working in several states within a couple of years? It's quite possible that many who might have chosen such a route would be deterred by all of licensing requirements. That's how the concept of nursing compact states came to be.
Click here to discover available travel assignments.
What is a Compact State?

In recognizing that earning state licensing can be a costly and lengthy process, The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), sponsored by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), created a multi-state nursing license that is recognized in 25 states.

Known as compact states, they give nurses the opportunity to cut through a lot of the red tape that would normally be required to practice.

This is especially helpful for those interested in pursuing travel nursing careers, or people who happen to live close to one or more bordering states.

Multi-state licensing is available for RNs, LPNs, and LVNs. And as of May 2015, The APRN Compact was passed to allow advanced practice registered nurses to hold multi-state license.

As with any new state license application, nurses must already have a state license in good standing in order to be approved. Once you begin practicing in a state outside of your main residence, you'll be expected to follow the laws and regulations of the state in which you're working.

How Do Multi-State Licenses Work?

By earning a multi-state nursing license, your information and work history is kept in a database that can be easily accessed by anyone responsible for hiring nurses in participating states.

In other words, it gives hiring managers a simple way to verify your credentials without requiring you to complete stacks of forms.

The one drawback is that you must reside in one of the 25 compact states in order to qualify for such a license. Therefore, the first thing you should do is scan the list of compact states below to see if your home state is listed:

A few states have pending legislation to become compact states as well including New York, Illinois, Massachusetts and New Jersey. Check with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing for updates.

Living in a Compact State

If you already reside in one of the above states, the good news is your license is probably already a multi-state one.

Once you declare a compact state as your primary state of residence, it will automatically be designated as multi-state. In other words, there is no separate application process for you to undergo.
Explore the country while getting paid! Find assignments in your dream city here.
Relocating to a Compact State

Should you decide to relocate to one of the above states from a non-compact state, however, then applying for a multi-state license is worth your while. That will give you flexibility to travel across state lines for different nursing jobs without the hassle, paperwork, and fees that a new state license application would normally require in non-compact states.

Keep in mind that the process can take about two months and you can't begin it until you provide a Declaration of Primary State of Residence form and proof of residence. Evidence may include things like a driver's license, federal income tax return, and/or voter registration.

If you wish, you can begin the application process before you move to get things going. Just note that you'll be applying for a single-state license that you will have to convert after your move is complete.

Moving from Compact State to Compact State

Should you move from one compact state to another, your license will carry over for a grace period of 30 to 90 days (depending on the state) while you reapply for a multi-state license in your new primary state of residency.

Lastly, it is still possible to maintain a non-compact state license along with a multi-state license. For example, if you begin your nursing career in Nevada, which is non-compact, and later move to Arizona, a compact state, you may choose to keep your credentials current for Nevada.
Licensed and ready to travel? Start here.
Advantages of a Compact State License

Whether you want to expand your job search to a neighboring state or prefer working as a travel nurse, having a multi-state license will help ease the paperwork pain. Not having to go through a lengthy application process for a new state license and pay the associated fees every time you change jobs can fast track you into a new position.

With new compact states being added every year thanks to the NLC, hopefully it will increase your odds of obtaining a multi-state nursing license in the future.

By Dawn Papandrea

Dawn Papandrea is a Staten Island, NY-based freelance writer who specializes in personal finance, parenting, and lifestyle topics. Her work has appeared in Family Circle, WomansDay.com, Parents, CreditCards.com, and more. Visit Dawn on and at her .

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Nursing Compact States Map & Details | TravelNursing.org

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Each state has its own requirements for licensure, which likely includes paperwork, some type of exam, and hundreds of dollars in fees. For many nurses, going through the process once is tedious enough; for those who wish to have the ability practice in more than one state, it can be consuming.

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Your reach school should be a school that you "reach" or strive to attend. It should be a school that pushes you to even be accepted and then more. For my reach school I chose Tulane University in New Orleans Louisiana. Here's the link to the schools site;

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A Year in Review

This year, as always, we strived to be the best at what we do the best, innovating and collaborating across disciplines to find the solutions, make the discoveries, and help create a better city, country and world.

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A Year in Review This year, as always, we strived to be the best at what we do the best, innovating and collaborating across disciplines to find the solutions, make the discoveries, and help create a better city, country and world.

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As far as a midrange school I chose Rollins college. This Beautiful campus is located in Winter Park, Florida in the heart of a gorgeous city. This is an ivy leave school that provides students with a great future. I chose this school as my Mid-Range School because it is not "Safety" or "Reach" but has good aspects that I would be interested in pursuing.

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A safety school would be simpl defined as a school that you know and are guaranteed to get accepted into. This school typically has lower scores and requirements as well as a number of students older in age. I chose Seminole State College because it is close to home and their website is flawless.

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Your "Bright Future"  await you by simply  checking this site and getting your priorities straight. This opportunity provides a student with available scholarship money for academics. Consider this site when applying for this very amazing opportunity.

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This site is of upmost importance. It holds information that is very useful to the college student. In this site you will get information on tuition and room and board. As well as placement test practices like ACT/ACT.

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College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools

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College Board is a non-profit organization that clears a path for all students to own their future through the AP Program, SAT Suite, BigFuture, and more.

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This site allows you to use ONE application to be used by the range of colleges, that happen to be conveniently arranged on the site. This application can be accepted by one or more schools, to apply the same way. Here is the link:

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apply to college with common app | your future starts here

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Apply to college with Common App | Your future starts here

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Common App is a nonprofit organization of 1000+ colleges and universities that simplifies, informs, and supports your college application journey.

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Before composing a plan to succeed, look at the places you have already been to. Look at the activities you did that could put you ahead of others. Look for classes you have taken to recognize the needed courses at a university.