TIP OF THE WEEK - December 28

Memorization Techniques

Memorization Techniques are helpful in many situations.  For high school and college students, learning these techniques will help you to get ahead and stay ahead in your class work and studies.

Learning a new skill, language or even trying to remember a grocery list does not have to be difficult when you use these tips and techniques that are used to commit something to memory. Easily committing terms to memory can be achieved, if only you are using the proper techniques to learn terms and other aspects of lists and information.

Here are some of the most popular memorization techniques that can be used when trying to commit anything to memory.

Create an acronym for the list

Associating a list or a concept with a certain word that can be used as an acronym to remember the terms which must be recalled is an effective way to commit something to memory. Chances are that once you have associated a certain word with the list to be memorized; you will be able to recall this list for years to come.

Sing it

As silly as this may sound, signing something that you have to remember is an essential way to learn a set of words, phone numbers and even a grocery list. The song can be silly and funny – as the sillier and funnier the song, the more likely that you are going to remember it.

Practice, Practice and Practice some more

This is one of the oldest techniques of memorization which will include practice and repetition to remember the items which are on the list or the concepts which are an effective way to commit these terms to memory. If you are able to spend up to fifteen minutes practicing these items, saying them aloud and reading over the items it can be simple to remember the items in the case that they need to be recalled.

Remember by Using flash cards

Flash cards are an effective way to learn a large amount of information in a short period of time. Flash cards can be used to learn complex concepts by developing words which are associated with the concepts. Flash cards are also known to improve the memory and learn concepts as they can be used to learn terms which are associated with learning a new language, or learning something new in class. Flash cards are cheap and effective and can be used whenever you have five minutes to learn. Studies have shown that the majority of students use this method to learn information for classes.

Creating sentences with the terms

Create sentences with the terms that are required to commit to memory with new words, using the first letter of each word. This way, when you are trying to remember a list of terms, the sentence can be used to remember all of the terms and easily recall what can be remembered.

Chunking

Chunking is used most often to remember long term groups of numbers. This way, the memorizer can remember from five to eight numbers at one time, which can be completed in three to four sets of a longer number which must be recalled through the memory.

Use Patterns to remember sets of words or numbers

Are there any patterns within the words that are being memorized? Finding these patterns can help to remember more, as well as help to associated words with another. This way, rather than focusing on remembering one word – the person trying to remember can make use of remembering one word, rather than remember three to four words. The first word can jog the memory and remind the person trying to remember the other three terms which are associated with the first.

Using these tips, it can be simple to recall everything that you need to. Finding the right method for you can enable you to determine which methods work best for your learning style. Whether you are a visual learner and auditory learner or a tactile learner – there are memory techniques which have been developed for you. One of the best apart about these techniques is they can be adapted for each learning style, so it doesn’t matter which type of learner that you are.

Parents with Seniors - College and scholarship applications need
to be completed now. FAFSA for financial needshould be filed in
January and updated after you file your 2009 tax return.

Parents with Juniors - Your financial need base tax year will be 2010
for students beginning college in 2011. Now is the time to start planning.

TIP OF THE WEEK - December 14

10 Financial Tips for College and “Soon-to-Be” College Students


1.  Use Credit Cards Sparingly
 Use credit cards wisely because this is a chance to establish a solid credit history. Watch the interest rates. Don't be suckered by low introductory rates. Expect the interest rate, or annual percentage rate (APR), to climb above 20% in three to six months. Don't use the card for routine living expenses or a night on the town.


2.  Pay all Credit Card Balances in Full
 Remember: Credit is a loan--and it doesn't come from The Bank of Dad. That means any balance on the credit card must be repaid. Get a card with a low limit. Shop around for the best deal and read the fine print before signing up. If you move, inform the bank of your new address. Guard your credit card number and close unused accounts.


3. Get the Best Deal on a Checking Account
 Shop around before opening a checking account. Smaller banks may offer a better deal. Compare fees. Ask if there's a fee for dealing with a teller, including deposits or withdrawals. Ask if there's a fee to use a debit card. Ask about ATM fees. Ask if overdraft protection is part of the student package. If not, ask about linking such coverage to a bank-issued credit card.


4.  Keep Track of your Spending
 Use cash whenever possible because counting out the bills underscores the connection between the purchased item and money leaving your wallet. Use a debit card before a credit card for the same reason. Keep track of spending because a budget means nothing without accurate accounting


5.  Set a Limit on Entertaining
 Mad money should be sane and sober. Set a limit for walking-around money and stick to it. Hitting up the ATM for another fistful of crisp twenties is easy--and guaranteed to deplete your bank account.


 6.  Keep an Eye out for Free Money
 Apply for scholarships. This requires digging and persistence. See what's available. Don't be bashful. If you have a shot, apply. If it's a long shot, how can you go wrong for the price of a stamp?


7.  Get a Part-Time Job
 Check out college work-study programs. A few jobs may be related to your studies. Otherwise, look for a job with tips such as waiting tables, parking cars or delivering pizza. If you hustle, tips will exceed the hourly wage. Summer work is a necessity for many students, but don't overlook internships--they're a good way to get a taste of what you may make a career and establish contacts in the field.


8.  Avoid taxes on Stupidity
 Avoid unnecessary expenses at all costs. Parking fines are a tax on stupidity or laziness. Read the signs and follow the rules. This goes for little things like returning library books or videos. Pay your bills on time or you'll get stuck with a late fee.


9.  Don’t Eat Out All the Time
 Pack a lunch. This will save you big bucks. Don't eat regularly at fast-food restaurants because it will reduce your bank account while bloating your belly. At the supermarket, buy the house brand and increase your savings. Never shop on an empty stomach.


10.  Look for Student Discounts
 Clip coupons. Many businesses give students discounts in an effort to establish a relationship that will continue when they enter the real world and start earning a paycheck. Take advantage of the perks. Be on the lookout for deals on plane tickets, pizza, books, clothes--everything. The student newspaper is a good place to start. The Internet can be a gold mine of discounts.

Parents with Seniors - College and scholarship applications need to be
completed now. FAFSA for financial needshould be filed in January and
updated after you file your 2009 tax return.

Parents with Juniors - Your financial need base tax year will be 2010
for students beginning college in 2011. Now is the time to start planning.

TIP OF THE WEEK - December 7

QUESTION - Are my parents responsible for my educational loans?

Parents are NOT responsible for any FEDERAL Student Loans (Stafford and/or Perkins). However, they are responsible for the Federal PLUS loans and any other alternative loans that require a  co-signer. In general, the student is solely responsible for repaying their FEDERAL educational loans. You do not need to get your parents to cosign your federal student loans, even if you are under age 18, as the 'defense of infancy' does not apply to FEDERAL student loans. (The defense of infancy presumes that a minor is not able to enter into contracts, and considers any such contract to be void. There is an explicit exemption to this principle in the Higher Education Act with regard to federal student loans.)

However, lenders normally will require a cosigner on any type of private student loan. If your parents (or grandparents) want to help pay off your FEDERAL loan(s), you can have your billing statements sent to their address. Likewise, if your lender or loan servicer provides an electronic payment service, where the monthly payments are automatically deducted from a bank account, your parents can agree to have the payments deducted from their account. But your parents are under no obligation to repay your loans. If they forget to pay the bill on time or decide to cancel the electronic payment agreement, you will be held responsible for the payments, not them.

Parents with Seniors - College and scholarship applications need to be
completed now. FAFSA for financial needshould be filed in January and
updated after you file your 2009 tax return.

Parents with Juniors - Your financial need base tax year will be 2010
for students beginning college in 2011. Now is the time to start planning.

TIP OF THE WEEK - November 30

College Scholarships

Scholarships For College

College gets more expensive every year. Scholarships are a great way to help reduce the costs of attending a college or university. College scholarships are typically awarded based on some type of achievement or success and may contain clauses that require the student to maintain a specific grade point average.

College Scholarship Tips

Your best scholarship research sources include: The internet (try a free scholarship search engine such as: www.fastweb.com), your local community (contact your local chamber of commerce), and your high school guidance counselor and/or college financial aid officer.

It is also important to reach out to everyone you know to ask if they know of any organizations or companies that give out college scholarships. Once you have your list make sure to keep note of all of the deadlines and requirements to be eligible. This will help you stay focused and make sure you get all your scholarship applications in on time.

You can start applying for scholarships as early as your freshman year in high school. If you win a scholarship before you know which college you’ll attend, the scholarship organization usually will either write you a check, or simply give you the money when you decide where to attend college.

Create a successful scholarship application by setting yourself apart from the other applicants. Try to think what you would be looking for if you were reviewing scholarship applications. Always be honest and never bend the truth, make sure you can back up everything you say in your college scholarship application or essay.

After you are awarded your college scholarship, write a thank you note! Someone spent a lot of time reading all the college scholarship applications, and they selected you. Write a sincere thank you note to the person who saved you money on your college tuition. This will also help your chances of winning the scholarship again the following year if you are still eligible.

Types of college scholarships

Institutional - Awarded by the college or university to a current or future
student
Merit - Usually the largest scholarships. Given for a student's academic,
artistic, or athletic abilities
Need - Given to distinguished students who are in need of help financially
Sociology - Only given to students that meet a certain criteria for religion,
race, or national origin
General - Any other type such as scholarships given to students based on
their parents affiliation with organizations or corporations (parent's employer may offer scholarships)

Parents with Seniors - College and scholarship applications need to be
completed now. FAFSA for financial needshould be filed in January and
updated after you file your 2009 tax return.

Parents with Juniors - Your financial need base tax year will be 2010
for students beginning college in 2011. Now is the time to start planning.