| Get Your Money's Worth! |
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College isn’t cheap. Here’s how to get the most for your tuition. By Kelley Holmstrom, Portland State University A history professor once told our class that he'd like to see us pay our tuition in installments before every class period: In cash. That way, the students would realize exactly how much that hour of instruction had cost them. With tuition costs rising across the country, are you getting your money's worth? You've heard it before, and you'll hear it again: college is an investment. Sure, OK, got it. But remember, it's not just the diploma that's valuable as much as the experience and the knowledge. Keep these four tips in mind, and you'llprofit in the long run. Go to class prepared. This seems simple, but we all know what happens a few weeks into the term. You start to slack off on reading assignments, or write just half of a very rough draft for your writing workshop. Professors aren't trying to harass or kill you with homework. It's all designed to help you learn and understand the material. Honestly. So, bite the bullet, turn off the TV, and do the work. Go into the classroom with questions, and don't be afraid to ask them. You'll get a lot more out of discussions when you know what everyone's talking about. Spend extra time with professors. This is the real secret of successful students. If you have unresolved questions, stay after class. Teachers are always complaining that no one goes to their office hours (except the people who didn't go to class that day), so make a point to stop by and say hello at least once a term. There simply isn't enough time in most class periods for serious one-on-one instruction. Visiting your professor personally is the best way to delve deeper into your coursework and get real feedback: bounce off ideas for your term paper, ask why he or she spends so much time on a certain topic, and air any grievances. Developing a personal relationship with your instructors will also help you down the road if you need a letter of recommendation or a mentor. Seek out resources and opportunities. Internships. Work/study programs. Tutoring. Counseling. Free concerts. It's all right there at your fingertips, and too few students make full use of these opportunities. If you have even a vague idea of your desired career path, get an internship. Now. Yes, you might end up making coffee and filing, but you'll see what your dream job looks like in real life. Employers love to hire their interns after they've graduated, or to hire someone who's had that experience elsewhere. Make use of the resources that are all around you. If you're having trouble writing a paper, or you're coming down with a cold, or you just don't know what classes to sign up for, there are people on campus just waiting for you to show up so they can help you. Let them. Network by joining groups. Sooner or later, you'll realize for yourself that it was true all along:It really is who you know. When you're out of college, the opportunities to meet people in your field just won't come as frequently or as easily if you haven't already established yourself. Fellow students with similar interests can make great support groups. You can share your knowledge or have someone to complain to when things aren't working out so well. Faculty mentors are also plugged in to local opportunities and beyond. Don't forget these treasure troves of insider information. If your group sponsors guest speakers, make the most out of meeting them. Ask for a business card, or find out contact info from the person who set up the speech. Suppose a local artisan came to speak to your Arts and Crafts group. Write out a letter like this: "Dear Ms. Artsy, I'm a student at Such-and-Such U. I enjoyed your talk to our Arts and Crafts group last week about underwater basket weaving. Is there any way I can visit your studio to learn more?" You never know what good may come from such a small gesture. When they say that you get out of college what you put into it, they're not talking about that check you write at the beginning of every term. But that's a big check. Make the most of it. |
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