What is Tuition Assistance?

Over the past few years of advising students to get into college, I’ve worked with students all around the world including military personnel.

I discovered a bit of a communication gap between the information that all military receive from their Recruiter about their educational benefits as they sign up for the military and a couple of years later when they decide it’s time to use their educational benefits.

Often the soldier I’m working with isn’t sure where to begin the process of getting the money needed for college.

This post is for the Army students, active duty, or reserve students who would like to know exactly how to access the money they have for college.

Is the college Accredited? http://www.sophiemaddox.com/2009/11/05/accreditation/ Here’s a great post on how to know if the college is accredited.

How do you choose a college? http://www.sophiemaddox.com/2009/12/04/your-best-college/ This will help you with the decision process.

After you’ve decided on a college, I would do is to have a conversation with your commanding officer. Tell him or her what you’d like to do, and ask them to help you with your SOU. They need to sign a Statement of Understanding, form allowing you to use the educational benefit money you need. See below.

Now the reason for this is so that you’re not taking on too many responsibilities. You don’t want to fail a class just because you cannot manage your MOS and your class studies. I’ve even worked with some units that have a clause you have to repay the money if you don’t pass the class.

The biggest question I received outside of how to set up the funding for college is whether you can use your GI Bill and your Tuition Assistance at the same time, and the answer is yes you can.

But what is not so very clear is that if you use them together the benefits coordinate, what that means is that if you use them together then you’ll have less money in the long run.

In other words if you use them together, the total amount you’re eligible for with your GI Bill is less when you use them together. Your TA amount is taken away from your GI Bill amount thus decreasing what you are eligible for.

What I would strongly recommend students to do who needed additional funding for their college is to apply for Financial Aid.

Now this is when I would often get a raised eyebrow or two, followed by this question. If I have tuition assistance why would I take out a FAFSA Loan?

Well with FAFSA you don’t have to accept everything you qualify for, the application tells you what you’re eligible for, what you can get if you want to.

Let’s say you want to use your TA to cover college but you know you’ll have several hundred dollars in books you’ll need and you know you need to get a new computer for school too. Well if you qualify for a Pell grant and perhaps a State grant, then you can use this money to get the books and computer. You can say ‘No thank you’ to the loans and just use the grants and the Tuition Assistance together.

The next thing you need to consider is when are you planning to go to college?

Warning! Plan ahead the TA is a budgeted amount of money for the Army and this money is replenished at the beginning of the new fisical year in October. So I would apply as early as possible for your funds.

What if your TA runs out? Now The TA is not an endless amount of money that you can use for college once you apply, the amount is caped you’ll want to talk to your Educational Advisor and find out what that amount is for you. If you’re not sure how to contact your Advisor, then ask your commanding officer where your unit reports to for Educational Advisors.

So if you run out of money for the year but you still have some classes you need to complete this year, then you have two options, either utilize the FAFSA loans you qualified for, or use some of your GI Bill to bridge the gap. Here is a video on how to navigate the FAFSA website easily http://www.sophiemaddox.com/2009/12/15/fafsa-video-1/

You don’t have to worry about the benefits coordinating if you have used all of the funds you have allocated for the year. You can use some of the money you have from your GI Bill just for those classes. Don’t reapply for the GI Bill after these classes, but keep in mind that when you return the next time to use your GI Bill there is a separate application for that, carefully search the site to make sure that you’re filling in the right application.

Here’s the information from a couple of web sites where you can set up your TA and your GI bill.

Now there is a lot of information but it’s so important. Take a few minutes and learn how and where you can get money.

ARMY Tuition Assistance

Follow these simple steps to get started:

1. Register at www.goarmyed.com and set up your username and password, even if you don’t intend to start classes immediately.

2. Select your university as your home school and contact your education counselor for program validation.

3. Obtain a Commander’s signature on the TA Statement of Understanding (SOU). Sergeants First Class (SFC) (E-7) and above may sign for themselves in place of the Commander. Each term you must recertify the TA SOU online.

4. Once your program has been approved in coordination with your Military Admissions Advisor, you may use the Integrated Course Scheduler to select the courses applicable to your degree plan.

Important note: To ensure your TA voucher is accurate, you must obtain correct course information from your military admissions advisor.

For more information about the automated TA process, visit www.goarmyed.com. To learn more about your Tuition Assistance “Top-Up” benefits, visit the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs website.

How to Order Military Transcripts

If you have AARTS credits you’d like to apply towards the college you’re considering, you’ll need to secure an official transcript. Visit the AARTS website for instructions on how to do this. http://aarts.army.mil/

GI Bill:

As a Service member, previous service member and/or spouse you are entitled to educational benefits and funds. Additionally, you are in a great position, to have access to several different service scholarships and grants, be sure to ask your college of choice about what scholarships or grants you might qualify for outside of the FAFSA mentioned above.

Here is the information about the benefits you might qualify for.

Your number one resource for discovering your eligibility is:

http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm

However if you prefer to speak to someone, call this number for Education benefits information,

1-888-442-4551 .

Here you will find all the GI Bill educational benefits you can qualify for.

Keep in mind that if you know your benefits have expired, you have nothing to lose contact them anyway; there is a chance that these Chapter 30 benefits can be reactivated.

Here are a couple of examples of those who could qualify to have their benefits reactivated.

• As a reservist or in IRR status you were called up to support directly / indirectly – Operation Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom Operation
• While serving in the reserves you were called up to support directly / indirectly – Operation Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom Operation
• After discharge from the service you were found to have a disability as a result of work in the service and have been profiled by a VA Representative
• To check if you qualify for VA Education benefits in any of the above circumstances contact the VA at: call 1-888-442-4551
• or go to: http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm#FEDBEN

Here is what to do if you’re filling out the GI Bill information:

Read carefully when filling out your paperwork.

1. Soldiers using GI Bill for the first time or if you’re reapplying: You can either file electronically or by mail.

a.      To file electronically go to this link http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/about_vonapp.asp

b.      At the end of the electronic filing you will be prompted to print out the filing. Keep a copy for your records in a safe place and make an additional copy for your college. The GI Bill takes time to process, so if your college has a copy then they can verify that you’ve completed this when the VA contacts them.

2. If you decide to mail in your application, print out the VBA22-1990   then mail it, see the address below.

a.      Veterans will need a copy of their DD214

b.     Active duty put in either Active duty or Top-Up.

Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office

400 South 18th Street

St. Louis, MO  63103

For Education benefits information, call 1-888-442-4551.

3. You will receive a Letter of Eligibility or Certificate of Eligibility within 1 week.  Don’t forget to make yourself a copy and to provide a copy to your college of choice.

*Please Note, your GI Bill benefits can take up to 5-6 weeks to get started, and you will need to verify attendance with them on a monthly basis to keep your benefits coming to you.

How do you get your DD214?

If a soldier needs to obtain a copy of their DD Form 214 (Member’s 4 copy), here is where you can access resources to get that:

• The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has provided the following website for veterans to access their DD Form 214 online: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html
• You can contact the VA Regional Office your home of record when you’ve separated
• If you’ve filed a copy with the courthouse in the city you lived in when you left the military be sure to check with your the courthouse in the town.
• Visit the VA website at:  www.va.gov

Change your discharge!

How do you upgrade your discharge from “General/Administrative/Medical or anything other than Honorable to an Honorable discharge?

Look for a form called DD Form 0293, the good thing is that this form is pretty easy to understand and you can use it to upgrade your discharge if you qualify.

Great News for Additional Benefits, as a student you can have additional discounts and funding options available to you simply for being a student. Ask around at the movies, book store, grocery store etc. for benefits they offer to students.

Believe it or not some students have received a surplus of funds for college, and are actually paid to go to college.

Here are some more resources for you to be able to get scholarships and more:

General Educational Benefits Available: (for military service members, veterans, spouses, and retirees)

• http://www.todaysmilitary.com/app/tm/get/collegehelp/support
• http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm

Check out what additional benefits you can qualify for based on your military service affiliation and background.

• http://www.military.com/Education/ScholarShip/newsearch

Here is a scholarship site that helps you to navigate more than 400,000 scholarships, this site will help you apply and sort them for you and the best part is that it’s FREE to see what you qualify for.

• www.fastweb.com

Okay I know there is a lot of information here, take your time going through it, keep this page as a favorite so you have easy access to the information for future reference.

If you find this helpful please pass it on, Digg Re-tweet and tell others to come check out this site. I’ve found so many Service Members who are not sure how to get the money they need for college.

Sophie

P.S. Don’t forget to get a copy of the FREE thank you gift for you on the right.

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A Failed a class now what?

Well the good thing is it’s not the end of the world. That’s not to say that it may feel like the end of the world.

There are so very many variables that come into our lives when we decide to make a change like going to college. There is always the pressure to do well in college, and often that pressure spurs us on to do great things. But there is a time to mentally step away from both the internal and external pressure and regroup so to speak.

When a class didn’t go the way we’d planned is one of them.

Take time for yourself:

• Spend time with your favorite hobby
• Take time for family and friends
• Take a Yoga Class
• Sit in a steam room
• Catch up on sleep

When you’re ready to come back we need to take a look at what happened so we can find a way to help you get back in the game so to speak.

First think about the contributing factors, only you can answer this question. You know yourself better than anyone and the contributing factors.

Depending on the reason there is a different plan to make up for the class.

1. If the class was one you have to take but it’s not your strongest subject. Talk to your professor and Academic Advisor. See if you can get a Tutor, to work through the class again. Ask if the class is passed the second time if the new class could be the one that is on your cumulative GPA. Some colleges will work with you on this, so be sure you ask.

1. Now if you didn’t pass because you took on too many classes, then be sure to sign up for less next term, work with friends and or family who are familiar with the topic the next time you take the class. You can find some great in site on things you may not have thought about before. Use their help to understand the objectives of the class better.

1. If it’s because you were not taking your studies seriously, now we all hate to admit it but sometimes we get distracted and think from time to time that we don’t really need to study as hard as we actually do, we tell ourselves that we’ll do just fine even if we don’t study. I’d find someone whom perhaps you can study with or a friend who is willing to help us focus more on a class. Perhaps a tutor would be helpful for this one as well, some of the best tutors are retirees who worked as professionals in subject matter we need help in, a teacher, an a professor, etc.

Secondly & Very Importantly Put together a game plan for getting back in. Don’t wait to take the class again! The longer you wait the worse it’ll be, if you can take the class the very next semester. It may not be what you feel like, but whatever you do remember from the class will be freshest on your mind and this can really come in handy when you’re taking the class again.

A bad grade isn’t the end of the world, but having a game plan to move forward is critical, and implementing it quickly. These are the two things you can do to make sure that you bring your GPA up.

Now if you are no longer at the college, and you want to get back in, or you want to move onto a different college but are not sure how to get in if you know you have a bad semester on your transcript, then read this post, to see how to get back in.

http://www.sophiemaddox.com/2009/12/02/college-appeal/

If you found this helpful please pass it on, share it with a friend, family or class mate, please retweet, Digg it and grab a copy of your free thank you gift.

Sophie

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One of the hardest things for me when I was getting into college was learning how to study. I thought I knew how since I’d been in high school, but I was so wrong and my first semester grades in college proved it. I was so embarrassed, I’d ended my high school studies with a 3.8 GPA only to follow that with a 2.7 my first semester! I couldn’t believe it. No one told me that I needed different study skills to help my transition from high school to college.

So I began to really analyze how I studied to see what I needed to change to get better grades. My goal with this post is to help you avoid the terrible semester I had.

Now the easiest thing to do would be to just lay out what worked for me.

But I’m gonna bet that you and I may not be 100% alike, so instead I’m going to help you tailor your own study method.

Here’s what we want to do first, understand how you learn best, if you’re not sure exactly what that would look like see my post on identifying your learning style.

http://www.sophiemaddox.com/2009/10/29/unique-learning-styl/

There are three main styles, and most people are a combination of these styles.

• A visual learner, traditionally learns best by seeing what it is that they’re learning
• An Audial learner, is one who learns best by hearing information
• A Kinetic learner is one who needs to interact with the information they’re learning

To put together a study method which works for you, pull from how you learn and take the following basic information and create something that works for you.

If you’ve read anything in the past on study methods it tends to lump everyone together in a group leaving out those who don’t exactly learn the same way as the some think you ‘should’.

For example I’m sure you’ve heard when you’re in class you just need to listen to the instructor, take notes, read the textbook, take the tests, and presto you have what you need to pass college classes.

Right?

Well not exactly, college is much more intense than high school studies so there are other dynamics that come into play. What if your professor isn’t very clear in his/her lectures so you’re not sure if the information they’re covering is relevant to what you need to know or if the information you have in the text is what you need to know.

Now often you can request a study guide towards test time so you know what you need to be ready for on the tests, and etc. However, there is another variable the projects, extracurricular activities what might count for getting the grade you need.

So rather than using this method completely let’s tailor a  plan that works for you.

First get a copy of the syllabus, this tells you what you need to study when to get through the material for the class. Make sure you understand the objectives of the class, perhaps highlighting them will help solidify this in your mind.

Or if you are Kinetic learner, perhaps making a copy of the objectives page and cutting out the objectives and putting them in the front of your text book so that every time you open your text book you are reminded of what these are.

Secondly, take the objectives and re-write them in your own words, making sure you don’t interpret the objective, and possibly come out with a different one, just re-write it as if you’re explaining it to someone, perhaps your child. This will really help you see what you need to learn in the class and if you can explain this then it solidifies this in your mind even more.

Next, once you know what the objectives are for the class is open your text book to the table of contents and locate the chapters that support the objective the most, highlight these or write down these chapters in your notebook.

These you have to read and know.

Often you’ll find you don’t to consume the entire text to excel in the class, but you do need to read the chapters from the text that help you learn the objective for the class.

Live class: If you’re in a live class, not online, then pay close attention to the lectures, and take notes on what the professor puts on the board, you don’t need to write down everything he/she says, this will give you endless notes on things that may not be relevant.

Online: If you’re in an online class, often the lectures are posted, go through them carefully and look for the information that matches up to the objectives of the class and make sure you read the supporting texts.

If you learn best by hearing then you may not need to take notes, just listen carefully or bring a recorder and record the lecture.

Then compare what you’re text has to say with the class lecture. This is what you need to learn for the class, this way when it’s project time you’ll have  a good grasp of the information in the class and you can dive right in, and get done quicker. When you’re familiar with what you need to know to dive into the project or test you’ll need to spend less time preparing_, this will end up saving you a huge amount of time in the long run.

In other words, find out what you need to know and learn in the class. Create your own personal twist to match your learning style and then tackle the class in chunks.

Warning!

Don’t try to understand the class in a sitting or two, instead get an overview from your syllabus, match your style and read the chapters from the text and the information from the lectures for each week.

The mind can only process so much information at a time, so be sure that you are not taking on too much at a time.

Cross Referencing, if your professor has not provides a list of helpful learning tools, like few web sites or a book or two that helps you understand the material better then ask them for some. They’ll often be impressed with your initiative, and you’ll have excellent tools to help you understand the information from a different perspective, this can really help you learn the information as well; seeing someone else’s perspective.

Vital College Class Secret:

Talk to your professor at the beginning of the class spend some time getting to know him/her and understand what it is that they’re looking for, tell them your strengths and where you see that you might need some help. Telling them this ahead of time will often save you so much frustration in the long run. You may not see eye to eye with them but you can get to know them so that they can help you.

This way if something happens where you need a little extra grace period, or consideration for passing the class you’ll have the ear of someone who knows you, sees how you learn and is in a position to help you.

There are other excellent resources to help you excel in college, discover other tips and trade secrets to succeeding in college.

• Academic Skills Center
• http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/success/study.html
• U.S. News and World Report, Advice on How to study
• http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2008/08/21/advice-on-how-to-study-in-college.html
• 10 Study Skills for Non-Traditional Students
• http://adulted.about.com/od/intro/tp/studytipcollection.htm
• Tips for Adult Students
• http://adulted.about.com/od/intro/tp/not-all-in-your-head.htm
• College View: You’re Not in High School any more
• http://www.collegeview.com/articles/CV/campuslife/youre_not_in_hs.html

If you found this post helpful, please share it with your friends and family, re-tweet it, digg it,  and grab a copy of your free gift.

Sophie

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Okay, the decision for college has been made; you know you’re going, now it’s time to make sure you’re fully ready. Where do you go to brush up on your academic skills? Your Admissions Advisor gave you a little advice, but all that amounted to was a little booklet showing you how take a test based on what you already know.

Do you know what you need?

A collection resources showing you where to go to not only brush up on your current academic knowledge, but a place where you review the principles that give you the knowledge.

And I have just the solution for you… take a look

When I was getting back into college I wondered if I’d still remember the rules of the English language, I felt pretty good about the basic ones, but I was a bit concerned about the quirky rules.

I knew I was writing e-mails and things for work, but that can be so much different than an essay to get into college passing the grammar and vocabulary of the placement test. A bit of studying or practicing short essays helped and I got in.

But now you have me and this blog, as well as many other experts out here looking to make it a bit easier on you.

1. The first to do is to read famous speeches, these will have covered all of the aspects of an excellent essay. Become familiar with the flow and style. Really look at what’s being said and how this is presented to the audience. As you follow the flow ask yourself if you as an audience is receiving the message the presenter wants you to? Does it follow a recognizable format?

Example Speech or Essay Progression, and Format

• Present concept, and goal of the presentation
• Outline what the essay will cover
• Present the body of your typically in three points, i.e. Transformation of idea from beginning to end
• Present supporting points
• Draw Conclusion, tying this back into beginning of presentation

Inspirational Help

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/top100speechesall.html

2. Refresh your skills on the rules of English

English – choose the area you need to focus on.

• http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
• http://www.michigan-proficiency-exams.com/how-to-improve-english-writing-skills.html
• http://adulted.about.com/lr/grammar/317780/2/ free articles full of tips for improving grammar from About.com

Stop here http://www.learnenglish.de/improvepage.htm create a plan, see how step by step outline to improve your:

• Writing
• Learning Skills
• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Listening
• Speaking
• Reading

Definitions and Synonyms

http://dictionary.reference.com/tools/toolbar1?trackid=gog-187&ef_id=2001:3:s_4539577448e903f2189bed1c37691f07_3748836475:S1TKRNBbriUAAEkWglgAAAMA:20100118205324

ACT writing test tips

• http://www.actstudent.org/writing/sample/index.html
• http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/act/

SAT, specific writing tips for testing

•   Improving Sentences
•   Improving Paragraphs
•   Identifying Sentence Errors
•   Tips

  3 Be sure you know how to write an Essay:

• http://adulted.about.com/od/intro/ht/personalessay.htm
• http://esl.about.com/cs/writing/ht/ht_essay.htm
• http://essayinfo.com/

SAT – The Essay

College Board Essay Tips:

Essay Skills

Before You Write

• Choosing a College Essay Topic
• Recipe for a Draft
• Sample College Essay Questions

Writing the Essay

• Three Steps to a Great College Essay
• College Essay Writing Tips

Sample Essays

• Sample College Essay 1
• Sample College Essay 2

More Examples

• Princeton sample essay
• Cornell sample essay
• Wellesley sample essay
• Harvard sample essay
• Stanford sample essay

http://www.quintcareers.com/college_application_essay.html

Proof Your Essay- See how to improve it

• http://www.essayrater.com/
• http://learningdisabilities.about.com/od/instructionalmaterials/ht/3point5paper.htm
• http://businessmajors.about.com/od/admissions/a/essaytips.htm dos and don’ts
• http://businessmajors.about.com/od/collegeessaywriting/qt/EssayEdgePromo.htm

Creative Approach to taking a test from SAT, collegeboard.com

• http://sat.collegeboard.com/practice/answers-imagined
• http://sat.collegeboard.com/practice/sat-skills-insight/writing/band/200 SAT skills In site

If you found this helpful please share it, Digg it, re-tweet it and make a comment.

And check out the free thank you gift,

Sophie

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Now that the year is off and running let’s make sure that we have a solid resource list in place to help us as we progress through the year. I’ve found that one of the best ways to ensure success as you return to education is to be sure that you have a great plan in place including an excellent resource list.

I found this especially helpful when I was getting ready to put projects together for each class.

The one thing that you’ll have a lot of in college is reading, and writing. So your next great post will show you where to go to improve your reading. This is the one skill you must have to get through college.

Your ability to read and comprehend what you are reading will make all the difference in how you are graded.

Grab your mouse and mark this post as a favorite for quick reference.

Understand how to improve your reading comprehension

• http://academic.cuesta.edu/acasupp/AS/304.HTM How to get started on improving your comprehension
• http://learningdisabilities.about.com/od/instructionalmaterials/tp/rdgcompretensn.htm including reading exercises
• http://ocw.nd.edu/first-year-of-studies/making-the-academic-adjustment-to-college/reading-exercises/some-principles-of-college-reading including reading exercises
• http://www.literacy.uconn.edu/compre.htm
• http://www.majortests.com/sat/reading-comprehension.php

Critical Reading

• http://www.esc.edu/academicreadingexercises
• http://writing.umn.edu/sws/quicktips/process/crit_read.htm
• http://occawlonline.pearsoned.com/bookbind/pubbooks/lardner_awl/chapter1/custom5/deluxe-content.html

Excellent help from Cerritos College

Reading Skills Tutorials

“What’s a Main Idea? Understanding Paragraph Structure

Main Ideas: Topics and Topic Sentences

Main Ideas: Implied Main

Vocabulary in Context

Reading Diagnostic Exam

http://talonnet.cerritos.edu/samigo/jsf/delivery/beginTakingAssessment.faces

Additional Help from Cerritos College

Reading Department | Courses | Web Author: Barbara Belroy”

ACT Reading Test prep

http://www.departments.dsu.edu/assessment/docs/ACT%20Reading%20Test%20Preparation.pdf

SAT Reading Prep Tests

http://www.majortests.com/sat/reading-comprehension.php

SAT Reading Comprehension Guide

1. Reading a Passage
2. Basic Comprehension Questions
3. Analytical Questions
4. Vocab-in-Context Questions
5. Advanced Comprehension Questions
6. Two Passage Questions
7. More on Analytical Questions
8. Extension Questions
9. Summary and Review

Reading Games

• http://www.toonuniversity.com/quiz.asp?quizzes_key=260
• http://classroom.jc-schools.net/basic/la-read.html
• http://www.clubbing.com/Pages/Home/HomePage.aspx?FORM=MICCCL&publ=Google&crea=user1743ec79d1d84a95ffee85eb4bf7677d425a

If you found this helpful, be sure to share, re-tweet this and digg it. Oh and don’t forget to get a copy of your free thank you guide.

Sophie

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Saying goodbye to the holidays can be challenging. The time off is gone, the family and friends have all scooted back to their respective homes.
Can you believe its 2010??? Where did this last decade go? The 1999 scare for the big new millennium ushered in the year 2000, I remember what I was doing, but that’s a conversation for another time. The years have spun their way in and out of our lives, leaving both the good and bad in its wake, but what we have to show for it in our own personal development and who we are is what counts.
Here’s a little about my last decade.

The Good:
Like all of us I’ve seen some great things over the past 10 years, for me a career change, a graduate degree, a giant move to California, a wedding to a simply envious man. (It’s funny when you don’t think of all the details sometimes; somehow, someone seems to think of them for you.)
I married an amazingly talented artist in music, traditional art, interior design, graphic design, who happens to be a damn good cook, sorry couldn’t think of anything except that phrase to describe his cooking. Oh and the stupendous part is that this is only half his talents, I love taking him to anyone’s house, he blends right in. He’s the ultimate entertainer, business man, and friend. The best part is that we work so well together.
 

The Bad:
But the past century wasn’t without its losses, I lost a number of close friends and family members during this past decade the closest being my favorite, yet sophisticated and astounding grandmother.

She was what I think every woman strives to be,  extraordinary. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, business woman, entrepreneur, handy woman, farmer, and much more and that’s just for starters.

She passed very suddenly a few years ago her love, generosity and warmth are missed by all. I’ve never ever heard anyone say anything bad about her, and that’s quite an accomplishment if you ask me.

The key to success as a college student is to have a great resource list.

So I put the best resource list together just for you.

Ask for a study guide for what’s on the exam and then pull up this resource guide to walk you through the tough spots.
Especially if you are looking for keys to what might be on the entrance exam.

The Ugly, Just kidding.The number one area most of my students have needed help with is in the area of math. I can hear the moans now. I know for me this was a particularly tough subject. I was happy for any help I could get. So here’s to your success in a New Year.

A FREE Math Resource Guide giving you links to a bunch of sites on different Math topics.

Be sure to book mark this page these resources are phenomenal!!!

General Math resources

www.math.com

http://www.sosmath.com/

Addition:

• http://www.mathplayground.com/wordproblems.html
• http://www.aaamath.com/add.html

Subtraction

• http://www.math-drills.com/subtraction.shtml
• subtraction with fractions
• http://www.math.com/school/subject1/lessons/S1U4L6GL.html adding and subtracting with mixed numbers
• http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/vol5/subtraction.html subtraction integers

Decimals

• http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/decimals.html
• http://webmath.com/dec2fract.html decimals converting to fractions

Division

Basic division facts worksheet

http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/division/division-1.pdf

General Division

• http://www.aaamath.com/div.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Division_(mathematics)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Division_(military)

Multiplication

• http://www.multiplication.com/
• Multiplication Games http://www.multiplication.com/interactive_games.htm
• Multiplication Worksheets http://www.multiplication.com/worksheets.htm
• http://www.how-to-study.com/study-skills/en/math/20/math-tips/

Fractions

• http://www.mathsisfun.com/fractions_subtraction.html subtraction
• http://www.mathsisfun.com/fractions_multiplication.html multiplication
• http://www.homeschoolmath.net/online/fractions.php
• http://www.aaamath.com/fra.html#topic5
• http://www.softschools.com/math/games/fractions_practice.jsp
• http://www.mathsisfun.com/fractions_division.html

General fractions

• http://www.aaamath.com/fra.html#topic1
• http://www.aaamath.com/fra.html

Algebra

• http://www.algebra.com/ A fantastic site with tons of helpful links
• http://www.aaaknow.com/equ.htm
• http://www.algebrahelp.com/ free lessons, including Equations, simplifying, factoring etc.
• http://www.algebrahelp.com/calculators/equation/ Equation calculator
• http://www.algebra.com/algebra/college/linear/ Linear Algebra not linear equations
• http://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/Linear-equations/ Algebra, Linear equations

Geometry

http://www.algebra.com/geometry.mpl

• Geometry topics
  • Geometric formulas
  • Angles, complementary, supplementary angles
  • Triangles
  • Pythagorean theorem
  • Volume, Metric volume
  • Circles and their properties
  • Rectangles
  • Length, distance, coordinates, metric length
  • Proofs in Geometry
  • Bodies in space, right solid, cylinder, sphere
  • Parallelograms
  • Points, lines, angles, perimeter
  • Polygons
  • Area and Surface Area

Free Tutoring and lessons

http://www.purplemath.com/lessons.htm

Quizzes and worksheets

• http://www.aaaknow.com/equ.htm
• http://www.algebrahelp.com/

Number properties, (distributive properties)

• http://www.how-to-study.com/study-skills/en/math/22/basic-number-properties/
• http://www.mathworksheetscenter.com/mathskills/algebra/numberproperties/
• http://www.teaching-tools.com/math-worksheets/algebra/distributive-property/index.php

Word Problems

• http://www.how-to-study.com/study-skills/en/math/24/the-rqwqcq-strategy-for-solving-math-word-problems/
• http://www.mathplayground.com/wordproblems.html
• http://www.studygs.net/mathproblems.htm

Word Problem HELP!

• http://www.tutorvista.com/math-word-problems
• http://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/word/
• http://www.webmath.com/

Understanding Word Problem Key Words

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/translat.htm

Playing with numbers in word problems

http://www.mathplayground.com/wordproblems.html

Math Graphing

• http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/math/graph/
• http://www.coolmath.com/graphit/ Including a graphing calculator

Graphing videos

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCeAj4cLPIA
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GK5176auVw

If you found these helpful be sure to pass this on and share it with friends. Please tweet, Digg and don’t forget to get a free copy of your thank you gift.

Sophie

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 http://www.sophiemaddox.com/textbookintro.avi

Okay so you have worked with your Financial Aid Advisor, and now have a financial package for your tuition and some fees. It turns out that everything is covered except your text books.

 No big deal you think, if this is all you have to come up with then you’re home free.

This happy thought stays with you until you see the costs of your text books, ranging in price from about $35.00 to 200.00 plus.

As your jaw hits the ground you immediately make up your mind to find other sources of where to get your text books.

Well you’re at the right place, this post will show you where you can look to get text books for much less than the initial prices you were looking at.

Get your mouse ready, you’ll want to click on these.

First here are a few FREE sites to visit for books

               1. The first one that struck a chord with me is a text book site hosted by MIT which lists textbooks and course material for free; this site is Open Course Ware. Now while this may not have your specific text book it is a great place to get a text book that can supplement the material for your very class.

Here is a brief description from their site.

Free lecture notes, exams, and videos from MIT. No registration required.

MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW) is a web-based publication of virtually all MIT course content. OCW is open and available to the world and is a permanent MIT activity.

What is MIT OpenCourseWare?
MIT OpenCourseWare is a free publication of MIT course materials that reflects almost all the undergraduate and graduate subjects taught at MIT.

• OCW is not an MIT education.
• OCW does not grant degrees or certificates.
• OCW does not provide access to MIT faculty.
• Materials may not reflect entire content of the course.

http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/about/about/index.htm

 The site overview tab walks you through the site step by step.

http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/help/overview/index.htm

              2. My second favorite site is a site by students for students where you can buy, sell, and or exchange text books. This excellent resource allows you to choose your college, look up texts and then purchase, sell or exchange with other students.

http://www.studentretail.com/?gclid=CK6Q0ZzY_J4CFR9dagod-X0QJA

              3. Rent a Text, here’s a unique approach to text book cost, see if they have your books.

http://www.chegg.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=college%20book%20buy&utm_campaign=content&referrer=mDt1Obg3v5

Here are Low cost text web sites, if you cannot find what you’re looking for on the free sites.

              3. Textbook Media,

Here is a bit about their site:

“Since 2004, we’ve offered college students either free or premium options for their assigned textbook.

 Our publications are select, quality textbooks developed by professionals, and assigned by instructors.

The free or lowest-priced version is called the Sponsored Book.

Messages from advertising sponsors underwrite the publication and serve as study breaks.

Ad-free premium versions are available at a low price: online; online w/PDF downloads for easy printing; and paperback.

  Check out your options by registering below.”

http://www.textbookmedia.com/

               4. A great discount site is Course Smart.  You will need your text book information to search the site and your books will be an e-book. However, the price savings can be up to about %50.

http://www.coursesmart.com/students

                5. A company called Chapters Indigo.ca helps you find text books at a reduced cost, and currently they are offering free shipping on orders greater than $39.00.

Now they don’t just offer Text books so if you’re interested in other books I’d bookmark this one and keep it for future use.

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/?pticket=idf23n45n5trjv55×2sczwm1QI7LE75V1bnt4%2bRfw4uyhgQ0LhU%3d

              6. I know you’ve heard of Amazon.com where you can get discounted books, check their site for your books at a discounted rate

http://www.amazon.com

              7. Here is an excellent site for new and used textbooks that can save you a bundle, the site is called Alibris

http://www.alibris.com/books/textbooks?cm_sp=tabNav-_-textbooks-_-na?S=R&mkwid=SoLPVGSoF&mcid=2947482819&siteID=zw5Rggj1RfM-2YT6PW3eqxSMIhq5s4Cn9w

               8. Another great site is Abebooks.com for this site you’ll need your text book information as well.

http://www.abebooks.com/

              9. Textbooks.com is an excellent resource to check out, offering new, ebooks, used options and there is even an a place to sell them back when you’re done.

http://www.textbooks.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=cheap%20text%20books&utm_campaign=G%20-%20Sell%20-%20General%20-%20Content&KEYWORD_K=cheap%20text%20books&kenshu=kw266072&gclid=CKyZr4bN_J4CFRKjagodlFIuUw

           10. Last but not least, check out ITunes U, here you can find information from lectures and pod casts on many many subjects, you might even find some postings by your current or past professors which will help you as you prepare for and pass your classes.

Warning!

Before you get your text book(s) just be sure that it is the exact book you’ll need for your class.

The worst thing would be to get books for a class and then find out that it’s not the one you need, this can set you back quite a bit in your studies if you don’t have the right book and you have to wait to get the right one.

Don’t fear, you can the book by looking at a copy of your syllabus, the ISBN number should be listed here and this is what you use to get the right book.

But Hold on before you pull out your syllabus, call your Advisor and make sure that there will be no updates to the syllabus! Or even better, see if you can contact your professor, perhaps in an e-mail or phone call to find out if there will be an update.

Keep in mind that your upcoming professor may be very busy, so if you don’t hear back from him or her right away. See if they have an assistant who can help make sure you get the right books or materials.

This is especially true if you register early, the last thing you want is to find out that there is a change in the syllabus.

Please pass this on and share this information with friends and family alike, let’s all save money on texts this semester.

Don’t forget to digg, re-tweet, and grab your free thank you gift.

Sophie

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Christmas has come and gone, and before you know it a New Year will be here. Getting ready for a New Year and New Semester is essential to your success in college.

A new leaf and a New Year, college classes will be starting soon so getting ready is essential to being successful in a new semester.

The holiday season can be hectic, if you’re like me you’ve had a number of last minute errands, presents to buy, parties, house cleaning, decorating, and family all make up the holiday season. But by the time it’s all over it seems like there is only a little down time before we are thinking and planning for a new year.

College takes all that we have and then some, so it’s key to be ready mentally. Mental preparation is key to doing well and excelling in school.

Here are a few of the things that have worked for me as I’ve prepared and helped others as they get ready to go back to college.

Mental Clarity clearing the mind of clutter is essential to being able to focus and learn. When our minds are full of concerns, i.e. family, bills, work, errands etc. it becomes hard for us to focus mentally on learning or anything else we need to be focused on.

If you’re not aware of what you can do to have the clarity you need for academic preparation here are a couple of things you can do to help prepare your mind.

1. Write; take time to jot down the things that are filling your mind. This actually can help you put things in perspective as well.
2. Sleep make time over the holidays to sleep, if you have trouble sleeping, steep a cup of chamomile for at least ten minutes, this will help you find sleep. Or get a nice glass of wine whatever you prefer. Having a refreshed mind and body that we get through good sleep is critical to our brains operating at optimal levels. Even if you find it necessary to get a nap or so during the day, this will truly improve your mental alertness and will help you be ready for just about anything.
3. Read, in college you’ll be required to read a lot, so make sure that you don’t take time off from reading new and fresh material. Get online for example and look up various topics, read through the material and ask yourself questions about what you’ve read. This will help keep you mentally prepared for your studies.
4. Do crossword puzzles, this is one activity that helps you stay mentally sharp. As we get away from academic learning it is critical to be sure to keep out mind sharp. If we don’t continually use our brain then it will become mentally dull, and when we’re mentally not awake we’ll miss things, information in class, details on homework and more, so keep your mind sharp, take a few minutes and do a crossword puzzle, either online or in the back of a TV guide, the Readers Digest, etc.
5. Get Active, what is your favorite activity? Make some time to get active, bringing up your heart rate will not only help clear clutter from your mind but it’ll help your brain think and conceptualize better.
6. Find a good support group; look for a group online or in your local community of those who are in college and or those who are planning to get into college shortly. A community of friends who are in similar situations is a great place to get yourself ready to get back into studying.
7. Look for tutorials on subjects you are registered for but are not quite familiar with, there are a number of free online tutorials on many subjects. Keep checking back here, soon you’ll see tutorials and places you can look to brush up on topics you need to be familiar with for the new school year.

Here’s to your success in the New Year.

If you find this helpful, please share it, re-tweet, make comments and don’t forget to grab a copy of your Free Thank you gift.

Sophie

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