How To Cram for Finals

Image via WikipediaWhether you are a prolific studier or a "wait and cram at the last minute", you will need a plan to prepare for finals.www.collegebookrenter.com
According to ehow.com you need 4 basic steps:

1. Feed Your Brain - Some foods are better for brain power than others,  e-how recommends bananas, walnuts, spinach and other foods.  Snacks will provide sustained energy.
2. Focus on the Big Picture - Pull out your notes and textbooks.  Focus on the main topics and themes of the semester.
3. Don't Waste Time - Strengthen on what you know and don't focus on what you know you won't be able to learn before the final.
4. Sleep - Everyone recommends 8 hours per night but we know studying or cramming may mean all-nighters.  You still need to sleep in  4 hour intervals at a minimum. If you have testing all day you better have enough rest and energy to get to the finish line.

There are lots of related websites, articles and blogs devoted to the topic but most of the content is pretty much the same.  Check out links below.

Related articles

• 7 Tips for Coping with Finals (psychcentral.com)
• Cramming Facts vs. Learning Experience (bigthink.com)

Some Summer Jobs are Better than Others

If you are looking to trim some of your college debt and increase your disposable income, summer jobs are the way to go.  These summer jobs can also be awesome experiences and create memories for a lifetime.  If you can swing it, you might as well land the best paying and most fun.  I would think painting a cruise ship in the Caribbean might be more fun than painting a barn.

Here's a list from http://www.summerjobfinder.com/ and a few of my own:

• Jobs at Summer Camps
• Working at a Dude Ranch
• Alaska Seafood Processing Jobs (and fishing boats)
• National Park Jobs (City, State, and National Parks)
• Forest Fire Fighting Jobs
• Hospitality Jobs (Beach Resorts, Spas, Hotels, Casinos)
• Nanny and Au Pair Jobs
• Alaska Summer Employment
• Jobs at Theme Parks
• Outdoor Jobs
• Cruise Ship Jobs

Here are some additional ideas from Tisha Tolar at http://www.leavedebtbehind.com/make-money/the-best-summer-jobs-for-college-aged-students/.

The Crazy Coupon Lady

Want to save some major bucks and get FREE stuff?  You've got to check out The Krazy Coupon Lady. She is all the rage online and on TV. According to her Featured Shopper of the Day, Amber purchased -

• Four Boxes Ritz Crackerfuls
• Four Degree Deodorants
• Three Allegra meds
• Two KY

All for $1.50 from Target

According to their website  "At KCL, we teach you how to collect and redeem coupons with precision! We’re a great site for both extreme couponing (v.) veterans and novice coupon users, or as we’ll affectionately refer to you here, “Coupon Virgins”. We’ll teach you to talk the talk in our Coupon Lingo, walk the walk in Coupon Basics and we’ll even help you get organized with your Coupon Binder before we send you out on your own!"

Graduation Gift Ideas

Here are my top 10 graduation ideas:

1. U-Haul rental
2. Mont Blanc fountain pen
3. Stationary
4. iPad
5. Lowes Gift Card
6. Cash, it's the right color and it fits
7. Piece of Luggage
8. Case Pocket Knife
9. Wrist Watch
10. Personalized Leather Portfolio

Here is the top 10 list from Kim Grasty in our Marketing office:

1. Netflix Subscription
2. Gamefly Subscription
3. Herman Miller Aeron Chair
4. Flat Screen TV
5. Monogrammed Travel Luggage
6. Cuisinart Brew Central 12 Cup Coffeemaker
7. iLuv iMM173 Dual Dock Alarm Clock for iPod and iPhone 3G
8. 101 Things To Do with Ramen Noodles Cook Book
9. Fatboy Original 6 Foot Extra Large Bean Bag Chair in Pink
10. Blinged-out Pandora Bracelet

How Do I Return My College Book Renter Textbook?

Image via Wikipedia

CollegeBookRenter.com makes returning textbooks easy and free!

• Log on to Collegebookrenter.com account using your email address and password.
• Select the textbooks you want to return and click on the "Print Return Labels" button.
• Print off the two packing slips for your order and the UPS shipping label.
• Tape the return shipping label to the package being used to return the textbook(s).
• Make sure the packing slip is placed in the return package
• Drop the package at any UPS location and the rest is history!

For more information go to: https://www.collegebookrenter.com/returnpolicy.cfm

CollegeBookRenter.com “How Do You Like Those Apples” promotion winners

Image via Wikipedia

- College Book Renter (CBR) recently announced the winners of its spring “How Do You Like Those Apples?” promotion which featured the MacBook Air, iPad, and iPod Nano. Customers that placed an order through CollegeBookRenter.com between December 1, 2010 and January 31, 2011 were automatically entered for the drawing.

Roxanne Pacheco from University of Southern California was the grand prize winner. Pacheco won the MacBook Air. “I honestly felt shocked, and extremely thankful when I found out I am a grand prize winner of your sweepstakes. It's very difficult, and takes an enormous amount of luck to win such a large, incredible prize like the MacBook Air. I am truly thrilled and happy I have won such a prize!” said Pacheco.

Lauren Rover from George Mason University won the apple iPad and Chanel Patterson from Bowling Green State University won an iPod. “I feel so lucky to have won and I'm so impressed by how great the iPad is! I never thought renting my textbooks could result in something so awesome!” said Rover.

College Book Renter CEO Chuck Jones echoed the winners’ enthusiasm. “We’re very happy for our Apple promotion winners and we’re proud to show our appreciation to our customers for their loyalty to College Book Renter,” he said. “We know students have choices for textbook rentals. We also know we provide the highest level of customer service while saving students the most money. This promotion was a way to have fun and say thank you.” 

Guest Post from a College Senior

Today's post comes from Sean Barnett a senior college student set for graduation in a few weeks.

Hey gang,

My name is Sean Barnett and I’m about to graduate in May.  I really wish I had stumbled upon the college textbook rental scene sooner.   It doesn’t matter which vendor you choose, you can save tons of money by renting your textbooks.  I feel like this blog really is hitting the nail on the head concerning how students can save money and create a better college experience, so I felt led to guest blog and help tell students about renting textbooks.

Companies like CollegeBookRenter.com allow you to save up to 85% on your textbooks each semester. Since the average student spends at least $350 a semester on books, just think how much money you could save.

Renting your books is also a lot less hassle. You cut out the long search in the bookstore, the wait for the bookstore representative to print off your schedule, the long lines at the bookstore check out, and the hardship of carrying all your books – even the ones you will probably never crack open – to your dorm or car. 

In addition to the savings and the hassle you avoid, the student is usually given a little more wiggle room should they decide to return a book for a full refund when renting.  I’ve seen 15 to as many as 30 days time to return a book for a full refund!

On the flip side, there are many reasons students are hesitant to rent their textbooks.  Some are simply afraid of the concept. They fear that they may get a book that’s in bad shape.  Some don’t like the idea of being tied down by a rental period.

 There are answers to a few of these issues.  For starters, many online rental sites give the option for students to extend their rental period.  Often times this is for a small additional fee.  Should a student decide they want to keep the book, they can usually buy the book by paying the difference. Many of these textbook rental sites also offer digital rentals, which is another monster I’ll tackle in future blogs.

I just want to conclude by saying that I think renting your textbooks is the way to go in college. I wish I would have known about it sooner.

Happy Renting,

Sean Barnett

Related articles

• Affordable Education Sites - BookAse Sells Students Textbooks at a Lower Price (TrendHunter.com) (trendhunter.com)
• 9 Tips to Buy Cheap College Textbooks Online. (brighthub.com)

DIY Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is less than a month away.  Let's do something a little different this year and get "back to the basics."  Anyone can go out and buy a present but what your Mom really wants is something you made with your own two hands.  She probably has a few presents still sitting around the house that you brought home from elementary school and they are considered  some of her most valued possessions.

Here are a few easy ideas for this year.  They come from  Sherri Osborn of familycrafts.about.com

Bath Salts Recipe

·         Bottle or Jar

·         Epsom Salt

·         Food Coloring

·         Perfume or Essential Oil

Instructions:
Combine the desired amount of Epsom salts (enough to fit in your bottle or jar) with food coloring. Mix well so color is even. Add your perfume or essential oil and mix again. Spread the mixture out on a sheet of wax paper to dry for a couple of hours and then put it in the bottle or jar.

While the salts can be used right away, the perfume or essential oil will blend better with the salt if it is allowed to set in the jar for a few weeks.

Clay Pot Bird Bath

• Terra Cotta Clay Pots
• Terra Cotta Clay Saucers
• Paint
• Glue
• Clear Acrylic Spray

Instructions:
These are so simple to make, and the birds just love mine!  Start out by wiping down your terra cotta pot and saucer with a damp cloth and let dry completely.  Your clay pot, flipped upside down will serve as the base of your birdbath. You can use one clay pot, like I did, or use several stacked together, like Sharon did. The saucer will be used on top of the birdbath to hold the water.

Egg Carton Cupcake Holder

This fun and tasty egg carton project was shared by Jan Hennings who has her own crafting blog called Papercraft Pleasures. Bake up some mini-cupcakes and creatively store and give them in a decorated egg carton.

Materials Needed:

• Mini-Cupcakes
• Egg carton
• Paint
• Ribbon
• Items to Embellish (Jan used stamps)
• Photo
• Paint Brush
• Scissors

How to Find Free Food

Everyone loves free food, especially college students.  And guess what?  Free food is looking for you.  

• For hungry, cash-strapped college students, few things are better than free food. At least that's the reasoning behind Food-bot, an award-winning website that identifies events offering free food on college campuses. Companies and event organizers are willing to feed you to get you to notice their products. Visit the Food-bot website to find free food near you!
• Local churches love to have college students of all ages involved with their youth programs and most provide youth group suppers and congregational dinners every week.  Churches understand that you are their future, and they want you to share their hospitality through complimentary meals throughout the semester.  
•  Get networked into your campus by attending events and activities.  You'll expand your college experience, meet friends and sometimes find snacks.
• Watch for gallery openings and new art exhibits on or near your campus. These events are almost always stocked with wine, cheese, and other treats. In addition to complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, you'll have the opportunity to check out some great art!
• Sign up for Birthday Clubs at local restaurants. Many fast food and sit-down restaurants offer free or discounted meals to birthday club members during the month of their birthday. Sign-up today and start planning your birthday celebrations!
• Offer to babysit or tutor your neighbors' children. Most of these jobs are sure to include a nice, warm meal.

Related articles

• Free food! Website says where (cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com)

8 Scholarships for Procrastinators and Overachievers - The Scholarship Coach (usnews.com)

8 Scholarships for Procrastinators and Overachievers - The Scholarship Coach (usnews.com)

Get Ready for the End of the Semester

Birds are chirping, and the grass is growing again.  Believe it or not, the end of the Spring semester is only a few weeks away.   That means it's time to get your game plan together for scheduling study time for finals, moving, lining up daycare for your children, preparing resumes, and a host of other tasks.

Here's a list to help you plan:
1.  Make realistic commitments to study and budget your time accordingly.
2.  If you are moving, make a list of chores that have to get done beforehand.
For example:
     a.  If you will need a U-haul, reserve it well in advance.
     b.  Schedule time for cleaning your dorm or apartment.
     c.  Make a list of deposits to get back from landlords and utility companies.
     d.  Start collecting boxes for packing.
     e.  Start eating out of the freezer and pantry to keep from having to throw out food or moving it.
3.  Start deciding now if you are going to keep or sell textbooks for cash.
4.  If you rented textbooks online, send them back on time or apply for extensions when necessary.
5.  If you have children that will require additional daycare this summer, start looking now before childcare centers fill up.
6.  Work on your resume if you plan on changing jobs this summer or are graduating.
7.  Get your car serviced now if you are traveling home for the summer.

Once you have your lists compiled and have a good end-of-semester plan, your tasks will flow much more smoothly.

It's Time to Build Your Resume

As we quickly approach the end of the school year, it's time to dust off our old résumé and make it shine.  Whether you're a graduating senior or just getting ready for a better summer job, a quick way to impress future employers and get a jump on your competition is to impress your recruiter or HR manager with an attention-grabbing résumé.

According to http://www.free-resume-tips.com/10tips.html there are 10 résumé tips you must have:

1.       Use titles or headings that match the jobs you want.  In other words, be specific and avoid generalities.

2.       Use design that grabs attention.  Make it easy to notice the most important information quickly.

3.       Create content that sells.  Instead of saying “managed all lifeguards”, it’s better to say “Managed the entire life guard staff of 22 full-time and 3 part-time.” 

4.       Quantify and use power words.  Use words like “directed” or “supervised”.

5.       Analyze ads and job descriptions to identify key words.  Then use those key words when customizing your résumé for each job application.

6.       Identify and solve employer’s hidden needs.  Address issues that they will need to be solved in advance.

7.       Sell the benefits of your skills.  Use phrases like “achieved highest GPA possible”.

8.       Create an image that matches the salary you want.  Don’t ask for the lowest level position; ask for the position that would benefit the most from your skill set.

9.       Prioritize the content of your résumé.  Put your best assets first when writing about your qualifications.

10.   Tweak and target your résumés and cover letters.  Customize your résumés for each job you are applying. 

For more information, visit their Web site.  Remember, a good résumé takes lots of effort and should continually be tweaked and refined.

Related articles

• Does Your Resume Have A Strategy Or Is It Just A Pretty Format and Fluffy Words? (jenniferanthony.wordpress.com)
• A New Resume, At Last (dougnewmanpro.wordpress.com)
• Six Myths About Well-Written Resumes (distance-education.org)