cc Alexandra Campo

The time is drawing near to begin preparing for school to start.  One of the best ways to make your transition to school enjoyable is by actually being excited about your plans!  Some may say they are about to leave everything they know, their comfort zone, but great things are coming their way.  One of the best things students can do is channel their nerves into excitement, and having school spirit is a great way to do just that!

School spirit is the pride you have for your university.  It shows others where you attend and why you are so proud to be there.  Having school spirit will provide a more positive atmosphere not just for yourself, but for your campus as well.  You form a special connection with your school and other students when you truly have school pride.

So how can you have school spirit?

Wear the gear. Get t-shirts, sweatshirts, lanyards, etc.  You can usually find these at your school’s book store and sometime they are even available for purchase online.  If you would rather not buy them, make them!  A great idea is to have a get-together with friends, maybe before a football game, and make your own shirts with iron-ons or fabric paint.  You’ll be creating something to wear all year long and great memories at the same time!

Display the logo. Make posters, buy stickers, or keep fliers with your school’s name or logo on them and add them to your desk, car, or dorm walls.  Simple and easy!

Tell the people you meet. It is effortless to say, “Hi! I’m (your name), a student at (university name).”  If you really love your school and want to represent them well, make them part of you.  When you mention what school you attend in your introduction, the other person will know you must be proud to be there.

Add it online. Post it, write it, blog it, or tweet it.  It is simple to add to your “About Me” sections on social media pages where you attend school.

Families can show spirit too! Get your family into the school spirit.  When they support you, it will help ease the nerves and fears of moving away.  When they have school spirit too, it really makes a difference!

And remember your loyalty and pride to your university should also reflect on the organizations you become involved in.  Whether it be a fraternity or local school organization, always be proud of everything you involve yourself in!

Allizon Munoz is a proud junior at Ohio Dominican University studying Public Relations and minoring in Marketing. She serves as the 2010-2011 Ohio Dominican PRSSA President and Vice President of Professional Activities for Delta Sigma Pi Omicron Tau.  Connect with her here: http://card.ly/allizonmunoz

What is Goal Setting?

When a student first starts college, their main objective is to receive a degree but there are more things to be accomplished during their time in school.  Goal setting is the key factor to success and something every person should do to get the most out of their life.  It is human nature to set goals even if a person is not aware they are doing it.  Setting goals before a student begins their college adventure gives them a proper incentive, a vision, and moving force that drives them to success.

Types of Goals

Goal setting is thinking and putting aside certain objectives you would like to accomplish.  Some types of goals are short term goals, long term, academic, professional, and personal.  Being a student in college doesn’t mean all goals should revolve around academic success.   It is important to be triumphant in the academic realm of college, but it should be balanced with personal accomplishments as well.

SMART Goals

A great tactic to use when beginning your collection of goals is the SMART goal guideline.  This guide is provided by Goal Setting Guide, and is a great way to effectively set goals and aspirations that are attainable.

• S- Specific.  Goals should be straightforward and emphasize what you want to happen. Specifics help us to focus our efforts and clearly define what we are going to do.
• M- Measureable.  If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. In the broadest sense, the whole goal statement is a measure for the project; if the goal is accomplished, there is a success.
• A- Attainable.  When you identify goals that are most important to you, you begin to figure out ways you can make them come true. You develop that attitudes, abilities, skills, and financial capacity to reach them. Your begin seeing previously overlooked opportunities to bring yourself closer to the achievement of your goals.
• R- Realistic.  Be sure to set goals that you can attain with some effort! Too difficult and you set the stage for failure, but too low sends the message that you aren’t very capable. Set the bar high enough for a satisfying achievement!
• T- Timely. Set a timeframe for the goal: for next week, in three months, by fifth grade. Putting an end point on your goal gives you a clear target to work towards.

Here are some examples of goals that abide by the SMART guideline, and flourish in rewards: Make the Dean’s List (an academic achievement recognition), attend at least 10 campus events, join a student organization, be part of a focus group, write an article and have it published, give a public speech, talk to someone new every day, try new types of food every chance you get, ace all midterms and finals, see all the tourist attractions in your university’s city, etc.

Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail

When a student realizes their aspirations and what they want to accomplish, the most important thing to do is write it down!  Well not exactly write it down, let us keep up with today’s internet-driven world and use a website instead.  An easy and free way to keep track of your goals is through mylifelist.org.  This website is built to make goal setting a breeze.  You have six different categories to list your goals; Travel & Leisure, Relationships, Personal Development & Community, Career & Finance, Lifestyle & Culture, and lastly Sports & Adventure.

The Challenge

The hardest part about goal setting? Staying on track.  Students are motivated and determined when they begin school, but it is normal to lose that momentum later in the semester. They begin to have many more distractions and priorities sometime change.  It is a typical challenge for students to stay on track throughout the entire school year. That is why it is helpful to document the list of goals and read through them at different periods of time.  This will allow the student to evaluate themselves and it serves as a reminder of what they should still be working towards.

Allizon Munoz is a junior at Ohio Dominican University studying Public Relations and minoring in Marketing. She serves as the 2010-2011 Ohio Dominican PRSSA President and Vice President of Professional Activities for Delta Sigma Pi Omicron Tau.  Connect with her here: http://card.ly/allizonmunoz

Via cc: Vancouver Film School

When students decide on their major, a lot of the time they disregard thinking about a minor. Majors are required to be declared when you are studying for your bachelors at a university but minors are often not a requirement to obtain. For those of you who don’t know the difference between a major and a minor, here is a simple breakdown according to University Language Services (ULS):

“Your college major is the primary subject you want to study and the field in which you want to find a job after graduation.

While your college major is your primary field of study, your college minor is a secondary field that is often (but not always!) related to your major.”

Choosing a minor related to your major

The first option you having when deciding on a minor, is picking one that compliments your major.  Often time, courses that are required to be taken for your major intertwine with classes required for a related minor.  This makes achieving your choice of major and minor simpler because classes will double credit for both.  When the two are related, it shows that you are specialized in your field of study and it adds more on top of the experience you receive while studying. An example of having related major and minor would be a student studying communications with a minor in journalism.

Choosing an unrelated minor

Via cc: Melyviz

The next option would be to select a minor that isn’t related to your major at all.  Students usually do this for a personal balance or to fulfill other needs. There can be great benefits when your minor is far from similar to your major.  It can show future employers that you are well rounded and it is a great way to show your passion.  For example, a student could be majoring in engineering because they are talented with numbers and would like to hold a career in that field.  But because they have a passion for painting, they can minor in  art history.

Overall, students should seize the opportunity to receive a minor because it could possibly be the key factor to differentiate you between another person trying to get the same job post graduation. Check with your university to see what minors are available for you today!

Learn more and read short profiles on the schools attending in our guide (coming soon!).

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Prescott, AZ & Daytona Beach, FL – Contact

Everett Community College – Everett, Washington – Contact

Fairleigh Dickinson University – Multiple Campuses – Contact

Michigan State University Dubai – Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Contact

Murray State University – Murray, Kentucky – Contact

Ohio State University – Columbus, Ohio – Contact

Rochester Institute of Technology – Rochester, New York – Contact

Roger Williams University – Bristol, Rhode Island – Contact

Savannah Collage of Art & Design – Savannah, Georgia – Contact

Sylvan Learning Centers – Contact

The Princeton Review-Scoreplus – Contact

Troy State University – Multiple Campuses – Contact

University at Buffalo – Buffalo, New York – Contact

University of California Riverside – Riverside, California – Contact

University of Colorado, Boulder – Boulder, Colorado – Contact

University of Kentucky – Lexington, Kentucky – Contact

University of Michigan, Flint – Flint, Michigan – Contact

University of New Haven – New Haven, Connecticut – Contact

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When most students prepare to go to college, they think about things like the major they will choose, the profession they will seek, and the kind of income they will one day earn to support themselves and their lifestyle.  To be sure, education plays a major role in students’ achieving all of these things.  Yet academics alone should not be a student’s only concern, according to some college admissions professionals.

“When you choose a college, you need to think about life beyond the classroom, as well as what you learn inside the classroom,” says Thomas Schaefer, Ph.D., associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of admissions at La Roche College in the North Hills.  “When we interview students for admission, we look at what they’ve done academically, and we also look at what activities they’ve been part of, too.  We want to attract well-rounded students, and we encourage them to expand their interests at college.”

In fact, getting involved in activities at college can be key to a student’s positive experience, Dr. Schaefer says.  As students delve into a new world of independence, he notes, it can be comforting to be part of a group activity in which they share interests with others.  Sports programs are a great example of how students meet new people and continue to develop skills they’ve acquired in high school.

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At large colleges and universities, heading into intramurals may be the way to go because the level of athletic ability may be more conducive to the “casual” college athlete, according to La Roche’s Director of Athletics Jim Tinkey.  He said that some ranked colleges and universities have rigid guidelines regarding how students qualify for any given team.  Be sure to ask about programs you’re interested in when you’re doing your college search, he advises.

“If you have an athletic interest and ability, let the school’s coaching staff or admissions team know that,” Tinkey says.

At smaller institutions, students may find it easier to become part of the school’s rostered athletic programs.  “Often, at smaller schools, everyone has a chance to make the team,” Tinkey notes, “but it depends on level of skill.  At La Roche, we can’t automatically guarantee that every athlete will make the team, but we do meet with students who have a genuine interest and ability to play.”

La Roche fields 11 intercollegiate athletic teams competing in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) of the NCAA Division III.

In addition, for students who are looking for activities outside the realm of athletics, the college supports more than 30 student organizations, including a student newspaper, the Student Government Association, the Writers’ Center, and academic and social clubs.

“It’s important for you to find your niche in college, just as it was in high school,” Dr. Schaefer says.  “It may be academics, it may be athletics – and it may just be a little of both.  Explore until you find the right fit.”

This article was written by La Roche College. Read the complete article in our current issue of Al Jamiat Magazine.

cc license, decade_null

Orientation

As a first year student you are most probably going to be required to come earlier than the upperclassmen for orientation. This is may be one of the most entertaining times of your university life and you should take full advantage of it. The couple of days of orientation are going to be a busy time and there will be little time for you sit down and think about your family and friends back home. I would advise you to meet as many people as possible. You may not be able to remember all of their names, but once school starts you will at least remember their faces.

Culture Shock

Moving into a new and vastly different culture than yours can be very daunting. The transition will vary from person to person; some people adjust to changes easier than others. Try to be open and understanding of the “new” culture that you are experiencing. You will find many things that are considered “normal” in the U.S. are unacceptable in your culture. Try not to be judging of the American culture because that could distance you and make it more difficult for you to make friends. Part of your university experience is about learning about the culture.

Academics

cc license, Colin Purrington

The U.S. universities are very unique and different than any other university system in the world. Usually, your professors will require you to complete any reading assignment before the lecture. This way you will stay on top of your material and be able to get better grades during the exams. In most cases your grade will not depend only upon a single final exam. Usually it will involve classroom participation, homework assignments, mid-terms and final exams. University level work is very intense and demanding. If you have already developed good study skills during high school you should be fine.

Extracurricular Activities

There are numerous organizations that exist on university campuses throughout the U.S. If you find that there are not enough clubs on your campus, then you can start your own club. Learning in U.S. colleges is not focused only in the classroom; rather you will learn much more about yourself and grow as a person outside of the classroom. The skills and experiences that you gain as a club member will help your future in the job place and the community where you live. It is very important that you stay involved on campus and do activities outside of the classroom. These will increase your chances of securing an internships and jobs. Being involved will demonstrate to the employer that you are able to handle multiple tasks efficiently. In addition to that, through your involvement on campus your can show off your variety of your skills and talents.

cc license, williamscollege

Money and Documents

Once you come in the U.S. you will most probably open a bank account. I would strongly advise you that you check your online bank status regularly. Identity theft can be very dangerous, so make sure that once you obtain your Social Security number you keep it in a safe and secure location. Also, make sure you make copies of your passport and visa and other important documents that you receive prior to coming. Without identification at the airport or in a foreign country, things can be very complicated.

Coming to the U.S. is a new experience for you. Make sure that you take full advantage of all resources that are available on campus. Be happy and proud of your success. Also, be sure to enjoy the rest of the summer with your family and friends before you leave!

Stefan Ivanovski was born in Belgrade, Serbia but spent most of his life in Macedonia. He studied at an international school from 8^th – 10^th grades in the Netherlands. After graduating from high school in Macedonia with an International Baccalaureate Bilingual Diploma he applied to study in the United States. Currently he is studying at Bucknell University, in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania majoring in International Relations and Spanish.

To read the complete article, please see our current issue of Al Jamiat Magazine.

With permission, EmilyShuki

American college students love dressing up for Halloween. You will find costume parties on university campuses all across the country in the month of October. The outfit choices range from strange, scary, hilarious or risqué.

Ohio University in Athens, Ohio is known for its history of wild Halloween parties. According to the Athens County CVB, attendance estimates are anywhere from 10,000 to 30,000 each year for the party and the number fluctuates depending on the weather. Many come out of town to join the celebration.

Emily Shuki, a senior at Ohio University says that the party could easily be compared to Mardi Gras, but with lots of weird costumes and in Ohio. “It’s a big block party uptown where everyone goes to listen to the music being played on sound stages at either side of the street and where everyone is dressed in costume.”

cc license, rbatina

When in Athens you have to be especially creative in coming up with a costume. “I always appreciate the costumes that require some thought or are depictions of pop culture events or persons,” said Emily. “I saw a guy dressed as balloon boy this year, and lots of Lady GaGas.”

Group costumes are also a popular idea to make a statement. How would you like to see 101 people dressed as the 101 Dalmatians, or a group of five people dressed as pieces from Tetris?

While most people in attendance are just there to have a good time, things do get out of hand at times. Emily said that someone set a couch on fire this year and every Halloween there are student and non-student arrests. “I think celebrations at any other school are probably similar to ours, it’s just the number of visitors we get here that make it such a crazy weekend,” said Emily.

Although Halloween this year and come past, it’s not too late to start thinking about your costume ideas for next year. “I think everyone looks forward to it, at least a little. It’s the opportunity to be someone other than you,” said Emily. “…college is one of the last times you can live it up without making a complete fool of yourself.”

Hannah DeMilta is a senior at Otterbein College studying Public Relations with a minor in Deaf Culture and Language (ASL). She has studied abroad in Australia and loves traveling whenever possible. She has held several internships in the PR & communications field and hopes to work in the non-profit sector one day. She also loves speaking with students interested in studying abroad, so please feel free to start a conversation: http://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahdemilta

Tuesday November 10th, 2009
11 am – 3 pm
Location: Auditorium of Higher Colleges of Technology Men’s College – Ras Al Khaimah
Fair Flyer and More information
Register

And don’t forget, if you can’t make it on Tuesday in Ras Al Khaimah, be sure to catch us in Dubai on

Wednesday November 11th, 2009
6pm – 9pm
Movenpick Bur Dubai
Fair Flyer and More information
Register

Want to see learn more about the Universities and Colleges at this fair? Be sure to review the AlJamiat- US Educational Group Fair Guide & become a fan on Facebook to keep up on all the best information on applying to US Colleges & Universities!

See you at the fair!

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Here are a few questions to ask yourself BEFORE you start your search:

What do I want to study?

Do I want a college or a university?

What do you intend to study?

What is an Associate’s Degree?

Starting the search for the “right” university for you!

Remember….the more time and thought that you invest in this process, the better you will feel about your choice and the more likely you will make the “right” decision.  To learn more, watch for the next article “Using your resources to help you find the Right school for you!  We will tell you about the “resources” you have and how you can use them in your search.

Jim Crawley is a Director of University Partner Relations for ELS Educational Services.  Mr. Crawley has nearly 20 years in university admissions and was responsible for starting the international recruitment efforts at Central Michigan University and Grand Valley State University, also in Michigan.  Mr. Crawley has previously traveled throughout Asia and Latin/South America recruiting students and more recently has spent considerable time visiting campuses throughout the U.S. and making presentations at conferences to discuss international student recruitment.