What are Dorms?

On most college and university campuses, dorms, more formally known as “dormitories” and “residential halls,” are special housing units designed to cater to students attending that particular school. Dorm rooms serve as a living arrangement, where students do not have to worry about where to live, eat and sleep while pursuing their studies. The majority of dorms are designed similarly to apartment buildings, which easily house hundreds of students. The rooms are typically small and hold up to two students per unit. The bathrooms are typically located outside of the actual dorm rooms and are shared by those living on each floor, which are referred to as “communal bathrooms.” The exact layout and design vary from school to school, with some dorms offering a large kitchen area (also to be shared among resident students), while others have a separate cafeteria style dining area.

Who Will I Be Living With?

Only students that are actively enrolled will be allowed to live in dorms. In most cases, undergrads will make up the majority of those living in this type of building. It is not uncommon to have a roommate, since the size of the rooms are only able to comfortably fit two individuals. Most times, students won’t have a choice in who they get to room with. However, if issues or differences between roommates become too much, arrangements could be made to switch out one roommate with someone new.

Some colleges and universities only offer same sex dorms, while others have coed arrangements. In many instances, the male students are housed in one part of the building or on specific floors, while the female students reside in the other. Same sex dorms often set special times and days where students of the opposite sex are allowed to visit inside the building. The majority of the time roommates are of the same sex, although there are some schools that have coed rooms, but this simply refers to the fact that a male and female student share a wall, not the actual room.

What are the Rules?

The specific rules and regulations differ from school to school but in general, the most commonly established policies students living in dorms must follow include keeping the building free from alcohol, drugs, weapons and unruly behavior. There may be designated “curfews” when residents must be back in the dorms by. Outside visitors must also follow whatever times and days are set for being in the building and rooms. There are strict rules against having outside people spending the night or living in the dorm rooms.

A combination of school staff and graduate/upperclassman students also reside in the dorm rooms and serve as the point of contact for residents, as well as enforce the rules. This group of individuals often provide activities or programs to educate residents about the resources available to them via the dorms as well as on campus, and are commonly called upon to resolve any disputes or conflicts between students. For safety, many of these buildings have their own security measures, such as special card/badge access and guards on the premises.

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President Warren Ross notes that “The majority of colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada offer upper division nursing programs. This program is an important step forward for nursing education at IUON. Students will be able to complete their nursing courses in St. Kitts in as few as three semesters before being placed at a partner school.”

Students who are accepted into this program will be required to complete general education and science course pre-requisites as part of the admission process. These courses consist of the first two semesters of IUON’s degree and must be completed with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 from accredited U.S. or Canadian schools.

Dr. Charlene Connolly, Executive Vice President, comments on the timeliness of this program change: “I believe that it is the right time to implement a program which requires only nursing courses to be taught at the IUON campus in St. Kitts. The positive benefits of this decision are many, including being able to complete a BSN degree in two years or less.”

Dr. Connolly emphasized that the upper division program will give students a focused educational experience as students are fully immersed in a traditional nursing program.

Dr. Connolly, Geraldine Mitchell, Dean of Nursing, IUON, and members of the campus Curriculum Committee have worked for several months to make this transition possible. IUON anticipates receiving approval for the Federal Direct Student Loan Program in the near future which will greatly increase the enrollment of students at IUON. Dean Mitchell advised that IUON is currently accepting applications and can enroll up to 100 students for the opening class. Seats are still available! Dial-in information sessions will be scheduled on a monthly basis.
For additional information about the new nursing program and for assistance in planning courses to complete for entry to the Upper Division program, call 1-866-868-4720 and ask for the Office of Admissions.

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Speculative applications may be suitable if you want to work in a particular geographical area or highly focused field (i.e. sports psychology) or if you want to work in a small but popular area such as film, television and journalism.  Although it is important to note that speculative applications are not just effective in niche areas, they are also accepted in, for example, law, civil engineering and management consultancy.

Smaller employers do not usually recruit as regularly or in as high profile a manner in comparison to larger organizations, so speculative applications are often well received; they can save the company a lot of time and money in advertising.

Wherever possible, target your speculative letter to a named individual; your application will be less likely to be put aside if it has someone’s name on it to take responsibility.  At the start of your job search, make a list of employers/companies that you would like to work for and find their phone numbers, ask for the name of the person in charge of human resources or recruitment; this is who your speculative application should be addressed to.  Newspaper advertisements are a good way to find contacts; even if a company is not advertising for exactly what you want, use the name and address to contact the company to find out about other possible opportunities.

Your covering letter should target the company you are applying to – a standard letter is dull and will not be read with interest. Explain why you want to work for the company and what you think you can bring to the position. Specify what you are actually looking for; avoid unfocused requests e.g. “anything suitable for my qualifications and experience”.

A follow up phone call will demonstrate your enthusiasm for working for the company. If you plan a follow up call say so in your covering letter. Your application may be kept on file for several months if there is nothing suitable now. But don’t let this deter you, get back in touch in a couple of months to remind the company you are still interested.

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Teams, clubs and societies:

Joining a sports team is not exclusive to the skilled athletes on scholarships; anyone can join, whether you are trying something new or revisiting a sport you used to play. Sports teams are not only a great way to have fun and stay fit; they also introduce you to new people.

Of course, there are many other forms of college teams, clubs and societies to join as well, from debating and choirs to poker and computer games. If you can’t find a group you like, start a new one. All these groups need a president, vice-president, secretary and book keeper, to continue running; consider how these responsibilities will look to prospective employers.

Media:

All colleges will have a newspaper; some will also produce a magazine, radio station and/or television station, and all these can be linked to their own website. These various forms of media require a number of skills sets; they need writers, photographers, editors, designers, technicians, host personalities, etc. Whether you have a little or a lot of experience, you can get involved in these areas. This can be a particularly great learning experience for individuals interested in those career paths.

Learn a language:

Most colleges offer the chance to learn a language because they know how valuable a skill it is to have in today’s culturally diverse working world. Sometimes taking a language course can even be done for credit towards your overall degree. Having an extra language certificate on your resume is sure to impress employers.

Represent:

Volunteering yourself for a student representative or council position will show employers leadership skills and that you are able to work well with different groups of people. You can also share your college experiences in your sophomore/senior years by becoming a mentor to first years or by acting as a college ambassador and leading campus tours on open days.

Work experience:

It is possible to gain work experience whilst studying, either by working a part time job or by volunteering. Your college careers department is there to help you build up your resume. The staff will have knowledge of paid and unpaid work placements in the local area; contributing your time to local projects will not only be a great overall experience, you could even find yourself acquiring new skills that will be applicable to your career path. It will be important to employers to see how you spent your free time, this includes holiday breaks; temporary jobs, or volunteering, and work experience placements during your holidays will boost your resume for when you leave college, by filling it with up to date experiences.

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Here are some simple and easy ways to help make your student dollars stretch:

Eating Healthy Meals

Just because you have a tight budget, does not mean you have no choice but to sacrifice your healthy eating habits. In fact, it is a huge misconception that eating healthy is expensive. Did you know that boxed, processed and convenient food items are more expensive than traditional essential staples?

• Buy in bulk
• Focus on your basic staples to put together healthy meals.  The basics are rice, potatoes, grains & whole wheat pastas.
• Remember just because an item is on sale, does not mean you have to buy it! Try and do one big shop at Costco once a month. This will keep you from spending more money in multiple shops.

Utility Bills

If you do not find that you are using many of the functions your cell phone plan is providing, try saving money significantly by cutting down your data plan, text message services or any other add-on you do not find to be using much of. Instead of buying new, expensive cell phones, look for deals on free cell phones with cheaper plans.

Do you find yourself spending more time on the computer than watching television? More and more people are cutting their cable bill and only paying for their essential internet services. Most shows today are streaming online, so really you aren’t missing out. Just on saving money!

Split Living Costs

If you are living off campus, there is no way you can live comfortably and stress-free without finding a responsible room-mate to split the living costs with. This will make life a lot easier for you as long as you find a responsible & tidy roommate. Try spreading the word through friends and family first then post ads on your College website, there are always students looking for roommates.

Being Creative in the Kitchen

Do you remember those home cooked meals mom used to make, that tasted so good? Well chances are she slaved over the stove using fresh ingredients. If you want to save money, you should do the same. Kraft Dinner and Beefaroni are unhealthy, tasteless and overpriced. Consider asking your mom or family member for home cooked recipes.

If you are looking to save time in the kitchen to spend it on studying, invest in a Slow Cooker! This magical invention allows you to throw in any inexpensive cut of meat you like, with vegetables, stock and spices and then flip the switch to low. Head to school and by the time you arrive home 8 hours later you will smell the incredible aroma of a home cooked meal. (And lots of leftovers!)

Save Money on Décor & Furniture Items

If you have just moved into your new space and looking to decorate it, stick to the basics. A bed, one dresser, a coffee table, one bookshelf and a futon that turns into a bed is all you really need furniture wise. You can find great deals on nice second hand furniture at Salvation Army or any other thrift store.

Remember these simple tips as you prepare for College life. You will find yourself less stressed and have the ability to save more money in the long run.

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Do Your Research!

Even if you are still enrolled in high School it is always a good idea to start your research ahead of the game. Are you looking to enroll in a community College or a University? Different Colleges call for different application processes so it is important to contact these Colleges individually for their specific protocols in the application process. Once you have all of the necessary paperwork in order, make sure you organize and file them appropriately. Depending on how many applications/ paperwork you receive, it can get messy if you are not organized.

Learn Good Study Habits!

First of all, you will want to master good study habits. Having good effective study habits will assure that you are successful in your College life. There are many students who start off well by taking good notes and reviewing at the end of each day. Unfortunately though as the semester progresses, students start to get overwhelmed and let their study habits slip. It is important to pay attention and master how to take effective short-hand notes. There are many books on the topic or online.

Get to Know Your Campus

Take advantage of the great campus facilities. Depending on which College you register with you can get some great perks by enrolling in a well-known college. Free gym memberships, student union memberships and even transit/retail discounts are all great incentives and help you save money while studying.

Purchase Your Textbooks

If you want to stay ahead of the game and bypass the mad rush on the first day of the new semester, try purchasing your textbooks at the end of the previous semester. That way once you begin your new courses you will be prepared and focused on learning and getting ahead on your assignments. It doesn’t hurt to take a scan through and learn about your next course. Maybe even get ahead on some reading?

Plan Tools You Will Need!

If you are planning on staying in a college dorm what will you need that will make your life as low-stressed and organized possible? Some things you may want to consider buying are, shelves, binders, desk, drawers, to-go coffee mug, slow-cooker, backpack etc.

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Make a study timetable:

Although you may not be in classes for as long as you were during school days, it is a good idea to think of your day in the same way, consider it the start of your 9-5 life. For example, if your course only requires you to be at lectures from 12pm – 3pm, don’t stay asleep until 11am then watch television for the rest of the afternoon/evening, make use of the extra hours, there will always be some kind of studying to do at college. It is important, however, to be realistic with your time and the amount of studying you can do, in order for your timetable to work; you were allowed breaks at school after all. Of course, if you are writing an essay and all your ideas are coming together and flowing out onto the page, don’t stop just because your timetable says you should; equally if you have writers block or feel that you’re not taking in the reading, don’t just sit there for an hour waiting for your break, put the work down and do something else, so that when you come back to it your brain will feel refreshed. That is the beauty of independent college study, it’s flexible and up to you. It is also important to prioritize your study assignments and not become overwhelmed by the college workload. Work out when you will have to do the work for each section of your course, in order to stay on top.

A place to study:

Many college students find themselves living in the library, a place they can go to focus completely on their research, reading or course work assignments, a place free from the distractions of home such as television and friends who are not studying. It is true that the social pressure of other people silently working around you will influence you to do the same; it is pretty embarrassing to be caught staring into space, spinning on your chair or doodling. However, you may find that you would rather be at your own desk, in your own room, with your own space, away from the weirdo in library who just sits staring into space. Wherever you find is best, be sure that it is clean and tidy, with enough space and lighting for you to work properly.

Organize:

Organization is the key to success. Whether it is your time, your desk, your notes, your ideas, your essays or any other part of your college life, it needs to be organized. Much of college study involves reading and researching from different sources; when you bring these different findings together with your own ideas in essays and assignments it is very important to reference where your information has come from. Plagiarism is a serious issue at college, which is why referencing is crucial. A good tip for keeping track of where your notes have come from is to use different coloured pens for different sources during note taking, of course you must then also remember to create a key for yourself assigning each source to a colour. Another important lesson, that you do not want to learn the hard way, is to back up all your work. Almost everything is computerized nowadays, which is fantastic but a computer crash or a simple click of the wrong button and everything can be lost; that is why you must ‘save as you go’ and back up all your hard work in more than one place, as in usb sticks, external hard drives, even email work to yourself. A clever way of ensuring your work will not be lost is to use Google documents, which will allow you to access your work wherever you go. This is an especially good idea if you are prone to losing or destroying notepads and usb sticks.

Discuss:

A great way of finding out whether or not you fully understand a lecture or reading you have done is to talk it over with other people. Having a study partner or group will also allow you to try out your ideas for approaching an assignment, if you can’t explain it properly or they can’t follow your thought process, then you know you will need to have another think before you start to write. The great thing is that this doesn’t have to be done in the library either; you can sit around discussing newly discovered theories, readings and ideas over a drink, in a coffee shop or while sunbathing. Don’t forget you pay tuition fees; your professors will be more than happy to chat to you if you’re having trouble understanding a concept or if you want to double check how to answer an assignment with them first; that is what they are there for.

Be an active leaner:

Take notes on everything, in every lecture, seminar, study group and tutor meeting. It is not only about writing down the ideas that are presented to you, but your own thoughts and questions also – you won’t remember them later. If you are an audio learner then record your lectures, seminars and study meets, so that you can listen back to them to help form your plans for assignments or exams. In a similar sense, if you are a visual learner fill your walls with mind maps and drawings to help concrete the ideas into your long term memory.

Overlooked resources:

Before writing an essay or sitting an exam consult your course guidelines and assessment objectives; this information is given to you on the first day and is often forgotten about, but it tells you everything you need to accomplish in order to achieve top marks. Another hidden resource gem is previous assignment feedback. Mostly students look at their mark or grade and forget to consider the advice provided by the marker. This guidance is given so that you can improve in your next assignment, so allow that feedback to direct your study.

Stay positive:

Remember that you chose to go to college to learn, so don’t dread your lectures and research, enjoy and embrace the new studying experience.

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Have a Plan/Goal

When networking with others, whether it is a professional currently employed in the field you want to be in, a college professor or other individual, it is important that you have a plan or goal that you can actively speak about. Networking in college is all about having outside people help students reach their goals sooner or introduce them to a possible opportunity. But if you don’t have a general idea of what you want to do with your life, this makes it very difficult for those you network with to figure out how to assist you. Know what you want in your life and know how to express those goals and how you’re hoping to reach them. Even if you aren’t 100% sure, test the waters by looking at certain careers that may be of interest to you and seeing who you can network with that’s affiliated with that particular industry. Pick his/her brain and let them know you’re still deciding if that’s the path you want to pursue. Chances are they’ll be able to offer insightful advice to help you make up your mind.

Don’t Be Afraid to Talk

Networking only occurs when two or more people engage in a conversation. Do you have to be an experienced speaker or have an amazing gift of gab? Of course not but being shy and withdrawn won’t be the best way to attract people to you. Initiating a conversation is as easy as introducing yourself to someone with a firm handshake and stating where you currently go to school. Once you learn the person’s name and occupation, start asking simple questions, such as how they got their start, where they went to school, what they like/dislike about their career, etc. Now repeat with a different person. Only with practice and time does networking get easier. Eventually, you’ll learn how to spot individuals that are worth keeping in contact with who could help you with your future goals.

Promote Yourself

Even students can benefit from having a basic business card to hand out. Don’t feel pressured to have some prestigious or made up title, either. Students will want to keep it simple–your business card should have your name and contact information. If you have a professional website, include that as well or any links to profiles you have on social media sites. Remember, only include information that presents you in a professional and positive manner. These days designing and printing a business card is as simple as using a premade template or creating your own design and uploading to an online printing site. Many printing sites charge very affordable fees so take advantage of such resources.

Network Anywhere

While there are networking parties, students can engage in this activity virtually anywhere. You never know who you’re going to meet at a family function, internship, off campus running errands or when meeting new friends and colleagues. Networking can occur anywhere!

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Definition of Private Colleges & Universities

Private colleges and universities receive their funding through many different sources, mainly endowments, tuition and generous donations from friends and alumni.

Definition of Public Colleges & Universities

Unlike the private version, public colleges and universities have funding that comes directly from their state.

What Are the Differences?

Below are some of the ways in which public and private colleges and universities are able to distinguish themselves from one another:

• Because public colleges and universities have their financial needs met by state funds, this allows students to benefit from savings, such as breaks on tuition costs. This is mainly the case for students that are attending a school in their own state of residence. Those enrolling in a public college or university out of state typically are not eligible for tuition cost breaks. Students planning on attending a private college or university will not be able to enjoy this kind of financial break.
• Private colleges and universities are notoriously known for being much more expensive to attend, compared to public schools. However, private educational institutions are also known for having less “red tape” than public colleges.
• Public colleges and universities tend to have much larger numbers of graduates each year because of the size of their overall student body, while private schools maintain a smaller student body, which means a smaller graduating class.
• Because of the smaller student bodies private colleges and universities have, this usually means more hands-on instruction for each of its students and more intimate class sizes, compared to public institutions, which regularly offer stadium seating for its more popular courses.
• It is typically easier to get accepted into public colleges and universities than private educational institutions.

Which Is Better

One type of college or university is not necessarily better than the other. The decision as to whether a student should apply to and attend a private or public college or university should be made only after considering all the pros and cons for each. Each type of educational institution has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. It is important for students to apply to schools that not only offer the degree program to help them achieve their future career goals but that suits their lifestyle, budget and personal preferences. In fact, it is best for students to apply to both public and private colleges and universities instead of sticking to only one type. After seeing which institutions are interested in accepting a student, should he/she then make the final decision about which kind would provide them with the greatest benefits as it applies to their academic needs and goals.

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