Posts Tagged ‘students’

College Students Headed Back to Class (Not Really) This Fall

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Sep 04 2010

College Students Headed Back to Class (Not Really) This Fall
Students across the U.S. are heading back to their college campuses this week, bringing images of crowded classrooms and backpack-toting students flooding the halls of universities.

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Depression in College Students

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Sep 01 2010

Introduction:

Human nature varies throughout the world. How an individual perceive and understand situation rely on diverse issues encompassing personal, social, economical or environmental. Childhood grooming demands positive, encouraging and congenial family and social atmosphere. This not only motivates and inculcates confidence but also provides ability to grasp and tackle stress and related issues intelligently.

In this competitive epoch and demanding life, stress cannot be evaded. We do not come across tough situations every day, it happens occasionally when situation turn out to be beyond our control. The situation becomes tough when major transitions are taking place in particular, when a student joins college, a shift from a nurturing family and home security to outer world.

 Chemical imbalance, genetics, a history of abuse, family problems, death of loved one, any trauma in the past, pressures related with the academic performance, cut-throat competition, several adjustments in a new environment, a fear of failure in the chosen field, psycho-social, financial pressures generated due to escalating cost of education and books and to meet the domestic needs on a limited budget, lack of financial literacy, sexual assault, alcohol or drug abuse, poor diet and exercise habits, relationships, both friendship and physical, with opposite sex and peer pressure to frame a good impression upon everyone, loss of harmony, preparing for life after graduation.

In order to meet the expectations at all levels, trying to balance classes with work and social life, and to prove one’s worth, the students experience total deficiency of orientation, expression, motivation, hopelessness, despair and anguish, all these factors keep the students under stress, frustration, anxiety and gradually this sow the seeds of depression, the condition about which the student(s) may not be aware. The situation if ignored becomes devastating.

Depression is a severe medical condition that engrosses the body, mood and thoughts. It can affect person’s outlook, routine activities, behaviour and conduct. It can change the overall personality. Individual(s) with such illness cannot simply “put themselves together” and get better.

Measures taken by college authorities to combat depression in students-

            The college authorities are becoming aware of the level and amount of stress the students are going through. Some of the Institution takes utmost care of the students so that they do not become the victim of depression and related disorders. They do counseling of the students so as to make them aware about various kinds of drug abuse and alcohol abuse (NY Times, 1997).

            Various organizations are coming up so as to help students get study loan to complete their education. Many student welfare organizations are established to support the students in their academics, in finances and also give concern to their personal problems that induce stress and depression in the students (Section 4: Supporting Students’ Welfare). They take care of any disability if the student has and also aid financial security to the students. They pay chief and supreme level of attention to the “worrying students”.

            Student forum are established, where students can discuss explicitly about their problem(s) and get the best solution (http://www.americancollege.edu/Student_Forum.aspx).

            Some of the Universities depute their staff members to discuss with the students in a friendly and congenial manner so that they can outburst their stress or any kind of anxiety creeping in their minds (Section 4: Supporting Student’s Welfare).

            Authorities have started various online help services for those students who feel uncomfortable to discuss out their issues or they are scared of the anticipatory consequences, or they are shy enough to speak (www.counsel.soton.ac.uk/publications/referrals.php).

            Various Universities have Chaplains. They are available at Chaplaincy Centre(s) and students can talk confidentially and discuss their worries and grievances.

            Numerous Careers Advisory Service(s) (Section 4: Supporting Student’s Welfare), run events throughout the year that encompass Career Focus weeks for Second Years and Finalists. They also organize Work Experience Fair, Finance and I.T Fair, Skill Workshops. These not only support the students but also provide means and guidelines to achieve success.

            The college and Universities also have diverse High field health facilities, Day Nurseries, gymnasiums, for better health of the student.

            Some of the Colleges also run various personality development programs, they help the students in self- improvement and also build confidence of “CAN DO” attitude.

            Nightline services are also provided by some Universities, which comprise confidential telephone listening service run by students for students (Section 4: Supporting Student’s Welfare).

 Many higher authorities of educational institutions, universities and colleges are aware of the consequences of stress that their students are going through so they have started appointing psychologists. They talk with college students about the relationships they have with both their parents and peers. Mattering to others is important to college students, and negative affect may be exacerbated if peer relationships are lacking.

To reduce perceived stress and depression, college students may benefit from understanding the developmental process that occurs in college. Psychologists can assist college student clients in developing close and healthy interpersonal relationships with peers by teaching important skills, such as open communication and assertiveness. It is also important to take the sex of the client into consideration given that sex differences were found consistently in this study. Though women may feel that they matter to others more than men do, they also experience more college stress and depression. As women and men report comparable levels of self-esteem, psychologists may want to implement interventions focusing on other factors such as the interpersonal relationships of women, particularly the family and friends to whom they believe they matter.

What measures Colleges and Universities must take to reduce depression and help students coping with it proactively:

“Depression is a huge problem in the college student population” says John Greden M.D executive director of U-M Depression Centre. College students are framing negative headlines in the news, initially it was related to alcohol, drug, physical abuse but in the present scenario the concern is for mental illness in the college campuses. In American Psychology Today Hara Marrano says “Mental illness is absolutely going off the charts on college campuses”. Psychiatrist Shamsah Sonawalla of Massachusetts General Hospital  says “there is no just increase in the prevalence “ of psychological problems in college students but “an identification of problems earlier . that we recognize it more is a good thing. But we have opened up Pandora’s box” that Many students do not know notice the changes in them, they may feel anxiety, stress blues, but cannot root out the biological cause, they may feel that they are falling behind then their peers  (Ann Arbor, MI)

The Symptoms of depression are based on- genetics, environment, life events, family and social environment and medical conditions together stimulate the brain to release mood altering neurotransmitters that may lead to anxiety, stress and depression.

The authorities must take the charge of not only counselling the students and parents (if required) but also amend the curriculum if required so as to put let pressure on students. Things like easy ways to study must be implemented. Co=operation is desired in case if the faculty members come across any situation if they notice grouchy and irritable behaviour of the collegiate, if the student becomes slow in thinking and speaking than normal, trouble in concentrating, remembering and making decisions, changes in habits especially eating and sleeping, lose interest in things , they use to enjoy, and if the student(s) have feeling of guilt, hopelessness, and wonder if the life is worth living. Above all if the student is thinking a lot about death or suicide, frequent complains about headache and stomach-ache.

Although the findings of this study are compelling, certain limitations need to be recognized. All of the measures were self report, and there were no behavioral indicators of the constructs being examined. There may have been a ceiling effect on mattering with the average score 3.27 out of a possible 4. In addition, the self-reported yearly family income was relatively high.

 In addition, the study was conducted at only one university in one area of the United States. Again, generalizing the findings to students across the United States should be made cautiously. This study found that perceived mattering, a relatively new construct, self-esteem, and sex of participant are highly related to both depression and perceived stress, and that when combined with stress, they accounted for a considerable portion of the variance in depression. These findings have practical implications regarding issues to be addressed in therapy for those psychologists who work on college campuses. In addition, this study adds to the empirical knowledge about depression, as well as perceived stress, and calls for more research on these variables and their interconnectedness.

What Authorities can really do:
1.Help students get organized with their work
2.Students must also be allowed to take breaks, it is essential to have mental relaxation
3. Students must be encouraged for practicing and reharsing on their weakness rather than demotivating them.
4. the attitude to “Do it Now” must be given some relaxation to avoid stress and distress among the students.
5. students must be realized about their limitations and at the same time authorities mut encourage about their talents (hidden and expressed). This will provide confidence and mental relaxation.
6. Attitude of the student must be judged by the faculty members.
7. Students must be encouraged to pland their work schedule to have a systematic and less stressful work.
8. A positive and encouraging atmosphere reduces stress. it is the responsibility of college authorities to organise programs for the students which are related to their cultural and education.
9. Authorities must avoid comparisons between students as this becomes the sole reason for stress in students.
10. Pressures for the examination and performace can be reduced by introducing an educationa system that aids in learning through activities and projects, they should have practical orientation. This helps in grasping the subject fast.
11. Teaching through teaching aids always make the learning easy.

These are the efforts if taken can reduce the stress in college students and help the students to become a good and responsible citizens. The kind of education imparted by the Institutions id depicted in the personality of the students. Hence these students will shape the society in much reformed manner and can become a big help in reducing stress in fellows.  

New programs, policies welcome students as classes begin

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Aug 30 2010

New programs, policies welcome students as classes begin
Correction Aug. 26, 2010 — Lynette Waller was named principal of early childhood education for School District of Lancaster in July. The story below incorrectly listed the previous staff member who held that position.•••As schools open for the new year in the days ahead, student…

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5 Credit Tips for College Students

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Aug 26 2010

Some credit tips for college students

 

How we handle our credit determines to a large extent how secure we feel in our lives. College students are no exception to this rule. A large part of our financial lives depends on how good our credit ratings are. However, if students follow the credit tips mentioned below, they are less likely to face any serious problems.

 

1.      Follow a budget

 

Living on a budget is perhaps one of the most important credit tips for college students. . When a month begins, note down all your monthly expenses in the order of what you will need to pay first. Once you have fixed your priorities, pay the items from your income accordingly. Make sure that you do not spend any money on anything outside these categories till you have paid all your expenses first. Budgeting in this way serves another purpose. It increases your understanding of your own financial condition and dissuades you from spending money on unnecessary items. In this way, it reduces the possibility of a credit problem in the future.

 

2.      Begin a credit history

 

In order to begin your credit history, open your savings and checking accounts. In the next step, try using a student credit card – but only to make those purchases that you’d make anyway and then make full payments on time every month with the funds from your checking account. Daily transactions will gradually play a key role in your credit worthiness.

 

3.      One credit card only

 

Using only one credit card is also one of the most important credit tips for students. In fact, more than one credit is not required at all if you use it to make only planned purchases and pay it off every month. Although the limits start off quite low, they go up as you buy things and pay your bills on time. It has been observed over the years that a college student using more than one credit card is more likely to face credit troubles.

 

4.      Be responsible

 

It is also imperative that you act responsibly and pay your credit card bills on time. Remember that any failure to pay your bills on time will damage your credit for several years. So pay earlier if possible, but never late. Try to remain within the limits of your credit card as well.

 

5.      Check credit reports regularly

 

Remember that unscrupulous elements of this world won’t spare you just because you are a student. So make it a point to check your credit report regularly for any irregularities. You are entitled to check your credit report for free every year.

 

So these credit tips should be followed by every student if credit problems are to be avoided in the future.

Students bring home degrees and honors

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Aug 24 2010

Students bring home degrees and honors
Alissa C. Pacheco of Madison was awarded a master’s degree in occupational therapy from Quinnipiac University, Hamden, Conn., during its commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 9, 2010.

Read more on Florham Park Eagle

UIL academic students earn record scholarship amount

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Aug 22 2010

UIL academic students earn record scholarship amount
Four Lufkin High School graduates set a UIL scholarship record after participating in the state competition on May 8.

Read more on The Lufkin Daily News

Lowdown on Credit Cards for College Students

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Aug 20 2010

Are you a student pursuing a certain course in college? How do you pay for your college expenses? Surely you might be buying gifts for your loved ones or gifting your friends on their birthdays or other occasions. Also one needs to buy other commodities like T-shirts, books, and shoes from stores. Student credit cards can prove to be a boon for high school as well as college going students. There are many good reasons to have a credit card for college students simply for the benefits that they offer.


Benefits of Credit Cards for College Students


Credit cards do away with carrying a lot of money in your wallet, give insurance against purchases, allow you to shop online, and they also prove to be a sort of cushion in case of any emergencies. There are a few companies offering credit cards specially custom-made for college students. Most of the companies have their kiosks and stalls at college campuses advertising their products and providing card details to the students.


Credit cards help build a credit history for students. After graduation, a good credit history can help finance expenses for buying a new apartment or a new car. This is because companies often look at the summary of the credit report before allotting loans for a house or a car. Hence a good credit history can make availing a loan relatively easier. One should have a clean credit report in order to get the loans sanctioned. If the credit report contains a lot of unpaid bill summaries then it becomes difficult to avail a good loan and other associated benefits.


Disadvantages of a Student Credit Card


However credit cards also have their disadvantages. They carry high finance charges for unpaid bills at the end of the month. These finance charges can be as high as 20%. Also, there are yearly membership fees which range anywhere between $25 and $100. In addition, not paying expenses on time can lead to very high interest rates.


Hence it is better to buy a credit card for college students only if one has the capability to pay all the finance charges and the bill amount on time. Not paying finance charges and the unpaid bill amounts on time can lead to suspension of services and the student can get a bad credit report.


Tips for Selecting Student Credit Cards


You need to be aware of some basic rules for buying a college student credit card.
-First, read all the conditions carefully before signing on the dotted line.
-Get answers about how much interest rate the card carries as well as the interest rate for cash advances.
-Study the penalties or interest rates to be paid if the bills are not paid on time.
-It is also better to use a debit card instead of a credit card. This is because with a debit card, the amount is deducted from the account where funds are already deposited from the beginning. Hence subscribing to a debit card ensures that you can’t spend more than the money you have in your account.
-You should use a credit card only if you are certain that you will be able to pay the debts on time. As far as possible, cash should be used for buying items. One should use a credit card only for emergency purchases.
-It is better to get only one card from a company after comparing the services provided by all companies. Do not get two or three credits cards from different companies as it leads to a lot of hassles like remembering the due dates for paying bills, extravagant expenses, etc.


Hence, as mentioned before, students should buy credit cards only if they have the capacity to pay all bills on time and also exercise control on their spending habits. Student credit cards help teach teens how to handle credit. Also, credit cards for college students allow them to build a good credit history if a student credit card is used in moderation.

CU-Boulder’s newest professors beat students to campus

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Aug 19 2010

CU-Boulder’s newest professors beat students to campus
Vijay Mittal, assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience, poses Friday in the storage room next to his office in Muenzinger Psychology on the CU campus.

Read more on Colorado Daily

UNK offers students a chance to spend a semester abroad

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Aug 14 2010

UNK offers students a chance to spend a semester abroad
The University of Nebraska at Kearney is offering a new study abroad program this year. Destination: China.

Read more on Grand Island Independent

Will Students Benefit From the Future of Education in the U.s.?

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Aug 08 2010

When we talk about the future forecast of what the coming years have in store for us in so far as education there are a number of new theories about things like “gift” economies, sustainable environments, and new civic processes as well assessing the future trends in education. One dilemma is the tension between the marketplace for increasingly personalized learning and the social mandate of the public schools to provide foundational education to everyone. And this does not include the factor of varying income levels and what people can afford.

The reality is that our global society is starting to fragment into subcultures each with their own strong belief systems. So what do these trends mean for education? Recently U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings announced the approval of two growth models that follow the bright-line principles of the “No Child Left Behind” program. It seems that now our states have finally developed the framework in which they can measure student skills every year, as the law requires. Spellings asked states to demonstrate progress over time so that we can later adapt a more sophisticated measurement system. This is known as the growth model or value-added approach.

The reality is that whether we are talking about the U. S. Department of Education’s program, or the hundreds of other private or non-profit programs in place across the U.S. – and therefore it’s really about accountability and results for each student.

One example is Jonathan, who before attending his Create Success after school program in Brooklyn New York, can now solve any math problem because of the extra “individualized” help. Plus he discovered that he loved to learn. “It’s fun here,” said Jonathan. “We have discussions and they help me get all my homework done.” Once his homework is finished you can find him searching the bookshelves for his favorite topic – reptiles.

It is all about holding schools accountable for the goal of each student performing at or above grade level by 2014. So, the Department of Education will gather data to measure student improvement while holding the schools accountable for results. Another theory out there is focusing on experiments in sharing or “gift” economies, sustainable environments, and new civic processes — basically the fact that local value grows economies of group connectivity, and that this combined with fears of globalism, political gridlock, and some concerns over dominance of big business will create a revival of localism.

Think tanks are also assessing the future of education. One of the dilemmas that they have identified is the tension between the marketplace for increasingly personalized learning and the social mandate of the public schools to provide foundational education to everyone regardless of backgrounds or income levels. Other thoughts include economics, urban space expansion and the fact that society is starting to fragment into subcultures with strong belief systems.

If you want our children to do better in school, then it is important to begin to understand the reasons why they are not doing so well. In researching the various trends and strategies in education, everyone, including educators and parents alike, can communicate more effectively about the issues. It was in 1997 when Congress first formed the National Reading Panel to evaluate the research on teaching practices to determine what really works. Thereafter, the Federal government’s No Child Left Behind Act required that school districts use scientifically proven instructional methods as they strive to make all children proficient in math and reading by 2014.