College Student Resource Directory
The Real College Guide

Whether you're a newbie to the college campus scene or have one foot out the door (or dorm), really smart students take advantage of all the resources available to them. From savvy studying to kicking that future career into gear, these sites will help guide you toward a successful -- and promising -- future.

5 Tips to Getting Along With Your Roommate
Brian Burnsed

One of the most important factors in your success as a college freshman is your rapport with your roommate. Avoiding conflict with a roommate is integral to a student's happiness in their first months on campus. You don't have to be best friends with your roommate, but follow these five rules, that at the very least make the relationship cordial and conflict free

How Do You Rank as a Roommate?
Abragail Kappel

When it comes to roommate wars, could you be your own worst enemy? Stop finger-pointing, and figure out if you're doing something to fuel the fire. Scroll through the following questions, and answer them honestly.

Back-to-School Shoppers Hunt for Deals
Kimberly Palmer

As Americans embark on their annual back-to-school shopping trips, they're cutting back and saving money where they can. That means clipping coupons, sticking to a budget, and reusing last year's supplies. So, where are Americans cutting back? Here's what they said they would focus on

Green Your Back-to-School Shopping
Cara Smusiak

It's the time of year again: Kids and parents around the country are getting ready for another school year, and that means serious shopping time. But before you head out for a marathon shopping day, think about the ways you can go green to make your child's school year an eco-friendly one

Getting Back to the College Mindset
Elizabeth Cunningham

It's natural to be a little anxious about the change of pace from summer to school -- but if you take advantage of the beginning-of-the-school-year energy and lighter workload to get a head start, you'll be prepared. Here's how to get your place in order, social life on track and brain in gear from the moment you set foot on campus

Girl World Back-to-school Checklist
Girl World Daily

Sure, you've got your school supplies covered -- notebooks, three-ring binders, No. 2 pencils. Those are easy. But what about the rest of the stuff you need? Don't worry: We're on the case!

Just a Little Food for Thought
David Replogle

Hey, do you even think about what you're eating? While you know poor nutrition is not good for your body, what about your brain? Here, we dish out the truth on how smart eating makes you, maybe not smarter, but definitely sharper

Tips to Increase Your Odds of Getting a Job at College
Kim Clark

As the competition for work-study and other campus jobs intensifies, college officials say students who follow these six steps are much more likely to earn the extra money they need for college.

Get Career Goals in Gear This Summer
The Real College Guide

Summertime ... it's for relaxing by the pool, road-tripping and -- if you're lucky -- making some money. But summer is also a good time to chill out and think about your future career goals. We help put it in perspective, starting now, with eight simple rules

Roommate Rifts and Resolutions
Sarah Hubbs

Any college kid will tell you that spending nearly nine months sharing air with a complete stranger in a confined space can be less than a dream. In fact, it can be downright difficult, awkward and frustrating -- even if your random roommate ends up becoming one of your best friends. Here's the heads-up on the most common roommate problems and what to do about 'em

Back to School Countdown
Girl World Daily

Instead of freaking out about going back to school, be back-to-school cool. Give your brain a rest for now -- we've done the thinking for you.

Alternative Summer Plans for College Students
Lauren Joffe

With just a few weeks left of summer vacay, why not make the most of the free time you have before going back to school? Instead of spending the rest of your summer lulling in a lounge chair and frying your skin (and brain), check out these alternative summer plans to keep you buzzing

Job Market Strategies for Recent Graduates
Robert Pagliarini

If you just graduated from college, congratulations! It's a huge achievement, and you should be proud of yourself. Normally there would be plenty of job opportunities just waiting for raw and eager talent, but this is 2010. Finding a good job is not going to be easy. The way I see it, there are really only four possible outcomes

Surviving Summer College Classes
Lauren Joffe

Taking summer college classes while your friends are kicking back at the beach? Ugh, can you say 'buzzkill'? Whether you're trying to improve a grade or get ahead, tackling summer classes might actually trump that sweet golden glow. Luckily, we're servin' up tips for surviving summer college classes

Avoid Getting Stupid This Summer
Eric Pilch

Sleeping until the wee hours of the afternoon and clocking in hours of TV marathons can seem tempting after a year's worth of school work. However, a recent study found that students of all ages actually experience learning loss if they don't engage in educational activities during the summer. So, consider these suggestions for summertime

7 Tips for LSAT Test Success
Brian Burnsed

The LSAT is the most important part of applying to law school. Find out some simple tips to boost your LSAT test scores

6 Tips for GMAT Test Success
Brian Burnsed

Think you're ready for business school? Not until you've mastered the GMAT. Here are 6 tips to help

9 Tips for SAT Test Success
Brian Burnsed

Find out if the SAT is the right test for you and, if so, how to improve your score

6 Tips for ACT Test Success
Brian Burnsed

Do you find the SAT daunting? Learn some valuable tips to help master the ACT, a viable alternative

Student-tested Tips to Ace Your Final Exams
Lauren Joffe

Final exam season makes college students cringe to the very core. After all, with one single test accounting for up to (yikes) half of your grade, it's hard not to feel that knot in your stomach. But chill! With these student-tested study tips, you'll get nothing but net on your final exam. Don't believe it? Test us

Taking The Edge Off Exam Stress
Liz Cruger

I always get myself so freaked out over finals that I'm a complete wreck! Do you have any advice to prevent stress before finals? I pretty much get worked up over finals no matter what, but here are a few tips for taking the edge off exam stress

5 Social Media Tools for College Students
Rebecca Kern

Just as college students are using social media websites like Facebook and Twitter to share their social lives online, new social media tools are a way these students can share their academic work online as well. Here is a rundown of some social media tools college students can use to share everything from homework help to book rentals

5 Do's and Don'ts for College Students Using Social Media
Jeff Greer

As much as online social media tools have become commonplace on campus, there's still a caveat: The Internet can be misused, and missteps can be costly. Not only can you get yourself in trouble while you're still in school, but your Internet mischief can hurt you beyond your college years. Here's some key pointers for using social media

Guide to Great Educational Websites for Kids
David LaGesse

Parents will invariably turn to the TV and PC. But pediatricians and educators recommend that screen time for children be limited to a couple of hours a day. A growing number of Web sites can help ease the guilt with reasonably wholesome (even educational) fare that's also entertaining enough to keep a youngster's attention.

Study Skills - Staying Motivated to Study
Liz Cruger

Staying motivated to study in the homestretch is never easy, especially when you're feeling that much closer to sun, fun and relaxation. But if you crumble now, you will not be a happy camper when you get your grades back this summer. Here are some ideas to keep you chugging along

Nail That Job Interview
David Replogle

You can have great credentials and a picture-perfect resume, but you only get one chance to make a good first impression on a potential employer -- and that usually happens when you sit down for the job interview. Here's how to shine at a job interview

10 Cool Gadget Gifts for Grads
David LaGesse

Graduation is just around the corner for the nation's campuses, where a generation of students has grown up in a life of high-tech study and entertainment. The electronics store is a natural place to ponder gifts for work and play, and we save you some of the browsing with these 10 suggestions of useful and unusual devices from the tech world

A Lean Mean Stay-fit Exercise Routine
Lauren Joffe

The key to staying active -- and looking fine -- is finding a fitness regimen that motivates you and requires a commitment. Think it's easier said than done? Try stepping into one of these novel activities, and you won't miss a beat

Smooth Moves to Make Studying More Comfortable
The Real College Guide

Are you hunched over your keyboard? Are your wrists bent at unnatural angles? Do you feel pins and needles creeping from foot to calf? If you're currently experiencing any of these symptoms -- or have experienced them during a long study session, you're in luck: You'll never fall victim to your study space again! Just follow these tips to make studying more comfortable

Inside Scoop on Working in Study Groups
Lauren Joffe

If you prefer to work independently, you probably dread the occasional but inevitable … group project. But working in a group can be a great learning experience and not only when it comes to absorbing information: It's also a lesson in how to function productively with others. Here, how to deter others from screwing up when you need to make the grade

Extreme Environmentalism
Nicole Frie

Have you always wanted to become more environmentally active but weren't sure where to begin? Earth Day turned 40 years old on April 22, 2010 -- the perfect incentive to make a new start! Here are a few how-to's on not just decreasing your carbon footprint but walking the walk with BIG steps toward helping the environment.

So You Want to Transfer
Lauren Joffe

Even after a couple of years at a school, students often realize they might be better off at a different university. Whether you're looking for a financial, social or academic change, transferring can be a feasible option if your current university just isn't cutting it. Let's check out exactly what it takes to transfer from re-application to juggling credits

Protect Yourself From Crime on Campus
Lauren Joffe

There have been dozens of incidents of crime on campus in recent years. It's a harsh reality on college campuses. So how prepared are you in the event that such a threat occurs at your school? And more important, how well-prepped is your college?

Snag Your Dream Internship
David Replogle

There are tons of cool opportunities out there for college kids, and if you’re looking to land something for spring or summer, the time to start looking is now. But do you really need an internship?

Smart Ways to Live Cheaper on Campus
David Replogle

Living on a shoestring budget? Whether your parents float you funds or you're pulling a part-time paying gig, here's how to stretch every precious penny and 17 painless ways to get major bang for your buck

Organize Your Study Space
Lauren Joffe - The Real College Guide

If your desk and computer are overcome with clutter, chances are your brain will feel cluttered when it's time to study. Instead of moving into the library to de-stress and study up, apply these desk-organizing strategies to make your own study space more conducive to actual studying

Cleaner Greener College Living
Lauren Joffe - The Real College Guide

Going green is no longer a fad: It's a way of life. There are many ways you can help make campus life greener. Aside from turning off lights (compact fluorescent bulbs, of course), unplugging appliances and taking shorter showers, here are some other easy ways for you to conserve.

Why College Students Cheat
David Replogle - The Real College Guide

Students still cheat. So what's behind this risk-taking behavior? A few instructors and professors have actually asked. Here's your cheat sheet to their findings on why college students cheat

Fraternities & Sororities: Going, Going ... Greek?
Lauren Joffe - The Real College Guide

Struggling with whether or not to join a fraternity or sorority? Check out the pros and cons of becoming a pledge -- from those who have been there.

Bad Habits That Destroy Your GPA
David Replogle - The Real College Guide

GPA is one of those dreaded acronyms that sticks long after college ends. It's a number that matters to hiring managers and grad school recruiters. So it'd better be in good shape. Here are five simple ways to keep your grades higher

Making Majors out of Math Skills
Lauren Joffe - The Real College Guide

Math is your thing? Cha-ching! Turns out the 15 bachelor's degrees with the highest starting salaries have a common denominator: They're all math-related. Here's the complete list of the 15 highest earning majors

Alternative Spring Breaks Combine Service & Learning
Rebecca Kern

Instead of relaxing on white, sandy beaches this spring break, thousands of college students will travel around the globe to volunteer for a variety of social justice causes. Known as 'alternative spring breaks,' these are public-service-oriented trips, planned and led by students, that focus on volunteerism and education about social justice issues in the United States or overseas.

How to Relax and Ace Your College Midterms
Zach Miners

You might think that studying for a midterm is just like studying for anything else -- you might even opt to skip studying and just wing it. But, midterms can be just as challenging and important as finals. We asked students, alumni, and staff from a variety of schools across the country what advice they would give to those who are about to sit for midterms

Academic Affair: Beware!
Sarah Hubbs - The Real College Guide

Students are often told that getting to know teachers on a more personal level can add up to more academic insight, better grades and stellar reference letters. But there’s such a thing as crossing a line. Here, we map out the warning signs that you -- or an instructor -- may be entering dangerous territory, emotionally and academically.

The Three-year College Degree
Lauren Joffe - The Real College Guide

Robert Zemsky, chairman of the Learning Alliance for Higher Education at the University of Pennsylvania and author of Making Reform Work: The Case for Transforming American Higher Education, is advocating for major changes on university campuses -- most notably a three-year college program.

Recession-safe Majors
David Replogle - The Real College Guide

You could waste four years studying a foundering field. Or, find out right here what careers (and majors) are still worth pursuing during times of economic stress. Here, we relay the best Recession-safe careers so you can declare a major now that will set you up for success later.

A Higher Higher Education
Corey Bobco - The Real College Guide

Are you registered for an honors class or teetering on the edge of 'I'm too freakin' lazy to challenge myself'? Before you 'yay' or 'nay' the big league, you need the inside info to decide if the honors track or an honors course is worth the extra work -- and whether you can take the heat.

Help Your Kids Learn Better
Lilian Presti

In a country where nearly three million students are receiving special education services for a learning disability, many parents are hungry for ways to support their children's learning. The problem many children face is they've lost their zest for learning. Here's a few key steps to reinforce learning

Where to Start if You Want to Be a Rhodes Scholar
Zach Miners

Rhodes Scholarships are seen as investments in individuals, rather than in, say, highbrow research proposals. But that doesn't mean getting a scholarship is easy. Each year, the 32 American Rhodes scholars are culled from an initial pool of roughly 1,500 undergraduates and recent college grads. Here's some information to get you started

Military to Debut Virtual School
Zach Miners

When new assignments force members of the armed forces to move, it often means children need to switch schools. In some military families, children change schools multiple times during the course of their academic lives. The Department of Defense says that the disruptions can produce setbacks in students' schooling, but department officials are working to fix that: They're developing the military's first online virtual high school

Tapping the Power of the Local Library
David LaGesse

Doing research in our pajamas is a huge benefit of the Web and modern computers. But committed readers and researchers still want access to local libraries, with their vast troves of books, periodicals, and reference works. The best of both worlds? Tapping into your library over the Web, 24 hours a day

College President Salaries Continued to Climb
Kim Clark

News of the rising costs of administrators comes as colleges continue to raise their tuition faster than inflation. The College Board reported last month that the average private university has raised tuition by almost $4,000 since 2006 to $26,273, 10 percentage points faster than inflation. Republican Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa 'wonders if these colleges are giving away the store when they sign contracts with employees.' He said raises for administrators seem 'out of sync with the reality'

Taking the Kids To San Francisco's California Academy of Sciences
Eileen Ogintz

We're at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, which in the year since it has re-opened has emerged as the city's top cultural tourist attraction, drawing more visitors than Alcatraz

College Education Concerns in the 21st Century
(c) M. Ryder