Over the past twenty years, the Internet has delivered far-reaching changes to all manner of society, and many current students haven’t known a world without it. With data only a click away, there is access to a wealth of accumulated knowledge unimaginable a generation ago, but also a tendency for scattered attentions and arguably, reduced research capabilities due to an overreliance on search engines. Online social networking is a phenomenon that has swept the world in recent years, which likewise can be used either positively or negatively. At the same time, there have been amazing advances in educational methods integrating interactive digital media, like online projects, the creation of websites by students of web design courses, online study groups and the first virtual classrooms. Here are some tips for using online tools productively.

Own your social capital

“Social capital” broadly refers to the intangible resources accumulated through relationships with others, goodwill generated from sharing information that can fulfill personal goals. Social networks provide the bridge that makes building social capital far easier than in the past. Developing and maintaining relationships on social networking sites can serve to supplement and enhance existing face-to-face interactions. It is integral to any business training as it encourages increased collaboration without requiring constant physical meetings.

The line between personal space and work is blurred in the social media world, so it’s advisable to communicate in your authentic voice and promote only what you would personally endorse in the “real world.” Be sure to update your privacy settings on any site you use and think twice before posting content in public spaces. Unless you are using an alias for your online avatar, something that seemed like a good idea on a silly whim years before could reappear at the most inconvenient time.

Control your social media image

Before Facebook was used by everyone and their grandmother, it was exclusively a communication tool for college students. It’s not just about pictures of your lunch or funny cat videos – it can be used to share genuinely informative articles or insights that relate to your education. Instant messaging can be a time waster or it can give you the last minute help you need to complete assignments. It takes extra discipline to stay on task and it’s probably best to use Facebook as a reward for after you have finished your work. Remember that everyone from recruiters to border guards have been known to perform background checks by viewing your profile and there are many cases where thoughtless posts have cost students big time.

Professional resources

Career-focused graduates have found LinkedIn beneficial to expand their professional network.Students can do advanced searches using their program and college as keywords to identify people who may help in finding internship or job opportunities. Some students have used YouTube to upload virtual CVs conveying professional personas. There are many online discussion groups in subjects like healthcare training that can deepen understanding and develop contacts. You can create online study groups using conference call tools to interact instantly at specified times. The web is an immense global network that, used correctly, can greatly complement and enhance your education. It’s all about how you use it!

Creating study strategies that best suit your style of learning will help you make the most of your education. Study groups can be a great way of supplementing your individual study and, when done well, they can lead to better all around scholastic performance. Studying in groups encourages open conversation about course material from different perspectives, reinforcing what you have learned to deepen understanding of a subject’s underlying concepts. Working with students who have differing strengths and learning approaches can bring new clarity to your assignments and improve the teamwork skills that will be valuable in your future career. The success of your study group will depend on how well it is managed. Here are a few tips to maximize effectiveness.

Forming a group

Before you join or form a study group, be aware of what you hope to achieve from the experience. It is important that each member shares similar expectations and can commit to contributing to the group’s collective goals. Don’t just stick to your friends – team up with motivated students who may each bring different strengths to the table. For example, other students in your accounting courses may have interesting perspectives based on previous job experience. Effective study groups tend to have three or four members, enough to carry on if somebody can’t make it but an optimal size for participation and discussion. Choose a regular time and place that works for everyoneand try to stick to it.

Preparing for sessions

Decide in advance what concepts should be studied for each session and ensure that everyone comes prepared. A meeting agenda can help to stay on topic and set a limit of two or three hours at a time. Choose a group leader or facilitator, perhaps rotating duties each week, to keep discussion on schedule and send out reminder emails with meeting details and relevant information. Establish ground rules at the first meeting to clarify expectations. Slackers showing up unprepared will impact the overall group effectiveness and should be avoided.

Session structure

Each member should walk into a study session with specific goals to be accomplished and help each other to stay on track. Study groups should be used to review material, test understanding and discuss difficult concepts. It’s natural to want to focus on homework problems, but the best groups dig deeper to understand the underlying concepts while sharing learning perspectives. In healthcare courses, this may mean communicating openly to view all aspects of patient care. Exchange study tips and divide course material to develop study questions, ensuring everyone understands the material before moving on.

Listen thoughtfully to each member’s prepared insights, building on accumulated knowledge for a greater comprehension. Use the opportunity to bounce ideas and experiences off your peers, even collaborating on potential entrepreneurial projects beyond business school. The last ten minutes can be used to summarize the session and plan tasks or responsibilities to address for the next one. Make it fun and interactive but remember that you are there to study!

When test time comes around, it’s natural to feel a little stressed. All you can do is try your best, and there is really no substitute to being prepared. This begins on the first day of class – taking good notes, completing assignments and understanding the material as you go. Don’t wait until the last minute to cram for tests. By studying on a regular basis, you will be better able to retain information and clarify complex concepts while there’s still time. Pay attention to what your instructor emphasizes prior to a test and find out what format it will be in. These tips will help you excel on your next test!

Planning your Study

To study most effectively, you should first figure out how much time and effort you will need to cover the relevant material. Compare the quantity and difficulty of material to your time available and plan accordingly. For example, if you have a tight schedule and know you have only a limited number of hours to study for one of your graphic design courses, research suggests that spacing study into shorter blocks is preferable to one marathon session. Look at the big picture of main concepts that will be covered, then develop a study guide, writing out important ideas and references on a page that can be reviewed often. The process of making the guide will help the material sink in.

Before the Exam

Treat yourself well and your mind will prosper. Get a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast before test time to give yourself the energy and focus to succeed. Even if you’re playing catch-up the night before, get at least three hours of sleep and set a back-up alarm to ensure you arrive early. Prepare beforehand the materials you need so you aren’t scrambling at the last minute. A little stress can be a good motivator but panicking can sabotage your efforts.

Taking the Test

Find a good position to sit for your test – be relaxed but alert. When you first get the exam, skim through the whole thing to begin budgeting your allotted time. Write down straight away any tricky rules or keywords you’ve been struggling to memorize, such as formulas from your accounting courses, so you can reference them later. Consider how much each question is worth and pace yourself to finish ten minutes before the end to allow some time to check for mistakes and skipped questions.

Read directions carefully and be strategic in answering questions – start with the easiest ones to build confidence then go for the ones with the most point value. Skip questions you don’t know and go back to them later but to save time, generally try to answer questions in order. Be as clear and concise as possible in your answers to make it easier for markers.

If you have extra time be sure to quickly review your answers to correct careless errors and add anything you missed. Although first answers are often correct, don’t be afraid to change your original answer if, for example, another question helps you remember some information from your healthcare training. Throughout the entire process, a positive attitude will keep you motivated and calm, with the right mindset to ace your tests!

With so much information to absorb in the learning process, effective note-taking is essential to remembering key elements. Memory studies have shown that the act of writing down notes helps memory retention, keeps you concentrated in class and provides a valuable resource for when you are studying for tests. Lecture content often cannot be found in the textbook and your notes will help you prioritize information that your instructor considers most important. These tips will help you make the most of note-taking.

Be organized!

Be properly prepared for each class. Start by completing the suggested readings and familiarizing yourself with the material so you don’t waste time copying items already in your study material and are aware of areas that may require further clarification. You will then be able to better understand the instructor, focusing on the key concepts.

Develop a note-taking method that works best for you. Using a three-ring binder will allow you to rearrange notes and papers, removing relevant notes for specific review, or inserting out-of-class notes in the right order. Keep notes for one class separate from other classes, perhaps using a different binder for each of your courses. You may want to start each lecture on a new page, underlining the date and subtitling subjects for easy sequential organization. Leave some blank space for later clarifications and additions.

Be alert!

Make a conscious effort to concentrate. Listen carefully, particularly towards the end when key content may be crammed in or main points summarized. Try to organize ideas into your own words, thinking a moment to decide what is most important. Take notes consistently, but selectively, throughout the lecture.

Summarize information in shorter forms, keeping pace with the instructor so you don’t miss important ideas. Some programs, such as accounting courses, are filled with very long technical terms that can be shortened – for instance “A/R” for Accounts Receivable. So make sure you abbreviate whenever possible with whatever symbols are understandable to you. If the material is really coming too quickly, you may want use an audio recorder to listen again to parts you missed. This tool will be part of everyday life as a medical office assistant, so it can be a great skill to learn right away. Just make sure your transcription is legible enough and you will be able to understand it later.

Review and compare

Review your notes the very same day. Research indicates that 80% of new material can be recalled if you review your notes within 24 hours. So try to review your notes the very same day you have taken them, and then again, later that week. Highlight passages that are most important and note down thoughts or connections to other parts of a course. This will save you a lot of time during exam times.

Compare your notes to fellow students. Some healthcare courses require that you take notes while paying attention to what the instructor is showing. This can be challenging. If you miss something just leave a dash and space to fill it in later through reading, questioning or asking classmates. Comparing notes will help you ask yourself new questions, fill in gaps, and revise for clarity. Making your notes as comprehensive as possible early on will give you a valuable study resource so you can ace your exams!

Recent advances in technology have allowed for exciting innovations in education. In addition to traditional learning tools such as textbooks and lectures, applying technology to a whole new style of learning means that students have access to simulated labs, exercises and interactive digital media. This method of study is excellent for busy professionals seeking certifications, pursuing advanced business training, or those who may wish to take healthcare courses to switch career paths. The convenience and flexibility of integrated learning can be a great fit for anyone seeking specialized training to improve their marketability for rewarding careers. Here are a few tips to help you succeed in your studies.

Plan Ahead

Before you even begin, make sure you have access to all the tools you will need. Obtain all the necessary workbooks and resources before the course begins and don’t hesitate to start familiarizing yourself with the material. At home, create an ideal study space with a minimum of distractions so you can really focus when reviewing your class material.

Manage your time

A study calendar is a great way to give yourself structure, filled with course deadlines, family and social obligations, and more. First, determine what time of day you think you’ll be most focused on your studies, then stay committed to that reserved time. Allow some flexibility so you’re not overwhelmed but designating specific times for class participation, readings and assignments will allow you to successfully integrate your studies with other responsibilities. Your class syllabus is the road map to keep you on track so keep it close and look ahead to plan for big assignments that will require more time.

Leverage resources

Make the most of your college’s integrated learning resources. Understand which learning style works best for you, utilizing workbooks, online media and tutoring services to maximize your potential. Students tend to be hesitant to ask for help but remember the instructors and facilitators are there for you. Ask questions! Initiative and assertiveness are necessary qualities to stay on top of your studies – go deeper into the subject matter to make it more understandable. Clarify course material in the virtual classroom and find a “study buddy” to work with before tests. Take good notes and apply new concepts to what you already know.

Motivation

Balancing studies with work and family obligations can be challenging but when focusing on school work, try shutting out all other distractions. For example, try setting aside 30 minutes or an hour dedicated to reading for your graphic design courses before taking a break. The discipline, commitment and organization skills you develop now will serve you well throughout your career. Think of what you have already invested in this education and envision the opportunities that this education will open up for you and your family. You can promise yourself a big gift once you finish!

Successful students realize that active participation improves grades without increasing study time. Students attend fewer classes in college than they do in high school so it is up to them to make the most of it. Even with access to the notes and materials at all times, it is the lessons that provide the context, explanation and examples that enable deeper understanding and better recall. Take charge of your learning experience by being prepared for lessons, actively listening and thinking, asking questions and taking notes.

Prepare before each lesson

Woody Allen famously noted “eighty percent of success is showing up.” Punctual attendance is not only a sign of respect for your instructor but of obvious benefit for your education. Information presented in the lesson usually contains the central concepts of the course with emphasis on the material most likely to be tested. Prepare beforehand by completing assigned readings, briefly reviewing material that has been covered and the subject to come. Organize your previous notes and anticipate specific material that may require clarification. A thorough preparation can be especially useful during your IT training, as it will allow you to recognize key diagrams that don’t need to be duplicated so you can listen more intently.

Team up with your instructor

Remember that instructors want what you want – for you to learn the material and earn a good grade. Your success reflects well on their efforts, encouraging their pride and enthusiasm. Work together for mutual success by participating during class and consulting with them afterwards. For instance, developing a working relationship with your business school instructors not only improves results in your course but may also open doors for future internships and job recommendations.

Listen Actively

Don’t simply copy down everything your instructor says. Active listening means having a dialogue with your instructor in your notes, focusing so well that you could repeat the ideas expressed in your own words. Think about what is being said to identify the content most important to remember, paying attention to both verbal and non-verbal clues to learn it right the first time. If you are enrolled in healthcare courses, this is especially important as you are building essential listening skills for a career in healthcare.

Ask questions

Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification – other students are probably feeling the same way. If you do not fully understand the lesson, do not hesitate to repeat it before moving on to the next one. Remember, each lesson contains a clearly defined objective and tests the understanding of the content. Make good use of the facilitators – they are available at all times for any questions.

Take notes

Take understandable notes and review them often. Ask the questions now that will make your notes more meaningful later on. Copy your notes over while the material is still fresh in your mind. This will help you organize them. The more you learn now, the better you will be able to effectively retain valuable information and succeed in your studies!

College is an exciting time when you are always meeting new people and getting exposed to new ideas. Many of the top businesses in the world today, including Facebook, Microsoft and Google, were imagined and initiated by students while studying at a college or university, and there are thousands of other companies that were started by students in several different industries. Entrepreneurship is the ability to identify innovations and build on opportunities by creating value for people. It is a state of mind, requiring confidence and leadership skills that can be acquired. Here are some tips to turn your passion into a rewarding business.

Follow your heart

Being an entrepreneur means devoting significant time and resources to making your idea work, and this becomes a lot easier if you’re doing something you love. Align your business with your own interests. Don’t be afraid to try something so new it shakes up an existing market but whatever it is, have a clear vision of how your product or service will make a difference in someone else’s life.

Make the most of training

You may have knowledge in a particular field, but don’t be afraid to brush up on accounting training or organizational skills by enrolling in business school. Attend entrepreneur seminars, participate in workshops and read through all the resources you can find. Try working or volunteering with a start-up company to understand the trials that other small businesses face. Being a student means there are abundant learning opportunities all around you so get involved in organizations and take a leadership role. Organizing projects can give you the experience of becoming a business owner and provide no shortage of challenges and new ideas.

Know your resources

As you are likely the first investor in your company, have a clear idea of your personal finances and never invest more money than you are willing to lose. Many of the most successful entrepreneurs have failed a few times before getting it right and have learned from their mistakes. Have patience, listen to constructive feedback and adapt proactively to change.

Reaching out

Many strong partnerships are formed in school so be open to collaborating with class colleagues and consulting with professors. Get your name and idea out there and you may find discover new partners, investors, ideas and other unexpected connections. Provide services to the community to gain credibility and experience and share samples or demonstrations to market yourself. Social media is an effective and inexpensive way to secure your brand and develop your online reputation. Taking some web design courses will help you understand how to showcase your brand through digital design. Crowdfunding is an increasingly popular source of start-up capital and an immediate customer base.

Balance your workload

Starting your own business while going to school requires excellent time management. Stay on top of class assignments with a calendar and don’t get ahead of yourself in rushing into the exciting entrepreneur’s life. By starting with a solid business plan and thinking about unglamorous items like taxes and insurance you will be setting yourself up for long-term success.

Emerging Practices in Post-Secondary Education Reinforce Academy of Learning College’s Methods of Learning

Author Thomas Frey, appearing in the CBC documentary “Generation Jobless,” outlined how the job market has and will continue to change. He cautioned that, in order to prepare for the future, workers will have to be constantly upgrading their skills to stay on top of the needs of our new economy.  In essence, post-secondary schools must recognize the demands of the current job market in order to provide necessary training to ensure students develop the skills that today’s businesses need.

A recent article in the “Brantford Expositor” forecasted the future of post-secondary education in Canada.  Author Rob Rombouts wrote, “The definition of post-secondary education also will have to change to include private career colleges, large publicly funded schools and learning outside of the walls of the school. Even skills or lessons taught through work experience or in online courses could be part of the education system.”

Leading the evolution, Academy of Learning College was the first Private Career College to deliver online virtual classrooms across Canada, to-date specializing in the ever-increasing healthcare sector, with Medical Office Administration and Health Unit Coordinator diploma programs.  AOLC expanded with ministry approval in several provinces this year to additionally deliver Community Service and Addictions Worker Programs.  Furthermore, many of their programs include a work placement, which provides the very opportunity for onsite experience with an employer which Rombouts hypes.

Mirroring Rombout’s sentiment, the Ontario Association of Career Colleges (OACC) issued a press release last year highlighting the cost-effective contribution career colleges make to the delivery of post-secondary education and the development of the province’s labour force.

“Academy of Learning College has been a Private Career College for over twenty-five years.   With programs in business training, healthcare training, and information technology, we are honoured to be a part of the Career College Sector which increases student choice, meets employer needs, and delivers economic growth through tax savings and new tax revenue,” said Heidi Collins, Director of Marketing and Sales.

The complete “Brantford Expositor” article can be read at http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2013/03/27/face-of-post-secondary-education-is-changing.

Transferring the many skills you have learned from your healthcare courses or IT training into a meaningful job is the challenge that every student needs to face at some point. Along with the traditional job-hunting tactics (sending out resumes, using the college’s career services, etc.) the savvy career seeker makes the most of networking, and it’s never too early to start. In fact, if you can make networking a state of mind you will find unexpected opportunities everywhere you look.

Building connections is as important as the work you do. This requires developing and expanding a circle of contacts who recognize the skills you can bring to the table, and who can help you find a job or steer you in that direction. Prospective employers value referrals because it can be difficult to choose the best candidate from a pile of applications and portfolios. Communication skills aren’t just important for business school – even if meeting people doesn’t come naturally for you, it is a skill that can be learned. These tips will help.

Break the ice

A good way to help you introduce yourself to prospective connections is by crafting an “elevator pitch,” which is a short introduction of who you are and what you’re all about. Can you sum up your skills and aspirations into one sentence? If you can’t, then you need to work on that. Once you can, you’ll be able to give people an idea of who you are quickly and spark their interest in a moment’s time.

Although you are seeking advice and opportunity, the key to networking is being genuine and honest. Meaningful interactions will take you farther in the long-run than purely instrumental ones will. Strengthen your business connections with people by touching on common interests, and don’t be afraid to mention interesting things that you’ve done or unique skills that make you more captivating. Also, ask questions! Show people that you are interested in what they have to say. Be curious and confident in demonstrating your motivation. A positive attitude makes all the difference!

Define your network

You may be surprised how wide your network is already. Your immediate network includes family members, teachers, friends and acquaintances, all of whom will want to help you if they can. Starting in your comfort zone builds skills and confidence. Practice your elevator speech, asking for career stories and advice, then tactfully request names of other people they know who may have more information. Your network will grow as you meet more people and develop a personal rapport with each person.

Expand your network

Be open-minded regarding where you can meet people and who you would like to add into your overall network. Business events and career fairs will definitely put you into contact with people that share the same career goals as you. But it doesn’t end there. Anyone you meet can be a potential career connection. Casual conversations at the gym, at school, or even just around the neighbourhood can turn into valuable relationships. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, and by sharing your time and experience you can forge deeper connections while interacting with people how hold various interests and values.

Remember that asking for advice isn’t a sign of weakness. If anything, it shows that you acknowledge that a person has the insight to steer you in a positive direction. Listen and respond with honest interest to new contacts, perhaps giving a business card, and follow up soon after with a gracious email or phone call.

Network building is a life-long process. The key is developing meaningful relationships with people you respect and admire. Communicating with these people, whether constantly or just a few times a year, is what will encourage you to aspire for continuous career growth.

Mastering your schedule and time management skills is the key to boosting your productivity levels as a student.  Each of us has a finite amount of time and energy, and as any business school student could tell you, we need to allocate these valuable resources wisely to best accomplish our goals. Remember: productivity is measured by quality, not quantity. It’s not so much about how much you do, but how well you do it.

The following guidelines will help you boost the quality of your student work while also leaving enough energy for the non-school related things in your life.

1. Write things down

It is easy to get bogged down trying to remember the long list of things that need to get done, even if they’re simply chores, like laundry, groceries or buying a book for one of your healthcare courses. The very act of writing down tasks, ideas, and commitments helps reduce the clutter in your brain, letting you operate more efficiently in the same way that closing unnecessary programs on your computer frees up precious RAM.

2. Conduct a personal audit

The word “audit” may make you think of accounting training, but in this case, it refers to taking a good look at how you are currently spending your time. It isn’t always easy to realize how you spend your time throughout the day, but mapping your schedule out will help you pinpoint how much you need to do and how much time you should be spend doing them. Make use of that yearly agenda you have stuffed away in your desk, or download an app or online time tracker to set up your weekly schedule and analyze where how you spend your time.

3. Create an action plan

So, now that you have your agenda ready or app uploaded, how exactly do you start planning? Try to set aside time for the most important things first and then plan everything else around them. Block off your class times as re-occurring events in your calendar, and schedule time for reading and homework. Try working backwards from the due dates of big projects and exams, giving yourself reasonable timelines to complete everything. Don’t forget to include time for family, exercise, social events, and other important aspects that keep you energized and happy.

4. Review and adjust your goals

We need to be intentional about how we allocate our resources or else there’s a natural tendency to follow the path of least resistance. Are you able to stick to your schedule? Identify time wasters that you can improve on and see how your short-term objectives correspond to your life goals. At first, it may seem like you’re putting in more work to apply this sort of planning to your studies, but soon you will find your actions more aligned with the person you want to be, and success is bound to follow!

IT’S YOUR SEASON TO START COLLEGE!

Win a FREE Surface with Windows ^RT when you register for a Business Administration Diploma.

The Business Administration Diploma program prepares students to obtain support or management trainee positions within business fields such as marketing, accounting, finance, production and operations, and human resources. Students are exposed to an array of business knowledge, management and administration skills, and practical tools that will assist them in dealing with situations in a business-related career.

From March 1 – May 31, 2013, students who enrol in a Business Administration Diploma are entered into a draw to WIN a FREE Surface with Windows ^RT.

For more information, visit your local Academy of Learning College Campus to speak with an Admissions Representative on how you can Spring into Business today!

Contest Rules:

• One Canadian winner will be drawn. Picture and prize (accessories not included) may not be identical.
• Start Date must precede June 14th, 2013.
• Winning student agrees to submit a suitable professional-looking digital photo (head shot) for marketing-related purposes.
• Prize will be presented to the winner 8 weeks after Start Date to ensure a sincere commitment to an education at Academy of Learning College.
• Surface tablet will not be issued if the student withdraws (or is dismissed from the Campus) prior to tablet being issued. 

Training for today’s Business Needs!

WWW.ACADEMYOFLEARNING.COM

Contact Us for Details about the Spring into Business Promotion!

Do you have what it takes to write and perform a jingle? Then Academy of Learning College wants to hear from you! Warm up your vocal chords, dust off your keyboard, and compose a 100% original jingle for your chance to win $1000!

The winning jingle will be heard on our website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel!

Here’s how to enter:

1)  Write a 30-second jingle about Academy of Learning College.

2)  Post a link to your audio (and/or video) clip on our Facebook page.

3)  We’ll choose the winning jingle that best represents Academy of Learning College! The number of “Likes” received on Facebook will be taken into consideration. We’ll keep accepting entries until we’ve found our winner. The winning jingle will be awarded $1000!

For more information, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/academyoflearning!

The contest will close when we have a winner.

Exams can be pretty stressful, mostly because you need to remember all of the material that was covered throughout the entire course. Luckily, there are a number of ways to help you remember all of the information you need to. Even if your grades are in great standing, there is always room to improve your studying efficiency. Here are a few tips to bring your study habits and test scores up a few notches.

Harness your brain power

Before even sitting down to study, give your memory a head start by being fully rested.

Treating your body well with a healthy diet and plenty of physical exercise will increase the oxygen flow to your brain and reduce the risk of disorders that can lead to memory loss down the road. Studying in relatively short bursts between breaks for fresh air and switching up your study routine in terms of setting and time of day will also help your long-term recall.

Structure and organize what you learn 

Relating new information to what you already know helps build the connections that aid memory retention. The brain organizes knowledge in related clusters, so for instance, it’s easier to memorize your shopping list if you group items according to what section of the store they are in. Try making an outline of your accounting training notes that group similar concepts and terms together and you’ll notice you’ll have a much easier time thinking of all the terms and concepts right on the spot.

Visualize concepts with mnemonic devices

A mnemonic is something that helps us remember something. For example, associating things you need to know with a little song or rhyme will often help recalling them later. In terms of your course work, create a few mnemonics to help you remember ideas that relate specifically to your discipline. For example, students in business training who need to remember the five qualities that make up a good action plan can jog their memory by linking a quality to each letter in the word SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.

Repetition, repetition, repetition

Especially for more challenging concepts, try reading aloud and then repeating the concepts with your eyes closed. You might feel silly doing it, but it really does help your brain retain the information.

You can also teach or explain new concepts that you’re learning to a friend or study partner to deepen your own understanding and recall.

Avoid cramming

While this advice might come a little late if you haven’t yet cracked a book for tomorrow’s exam in one of your graphic design courses, spacing your study time over several sessions is more effective than cramming all your studying into one very intense session. Long study jams reduce concentration and promote fatigue, with new learning often confusing memories of previously learned concepts. Don’t forget to remember!

In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing marketplace, an increasing number of people are going to college to gain valuable career skills. Whether you’re fresh out of high school or if you have a 25-year career behind you, now more than ever is a great time to be a college student.

With rapid technological advances in the competitive job market, the trend towards continuing education is constantly on the rise. Industry professionals recognize the advantages of taking college courses in order to enhance their skills and make them a more valuable asset to the organization they are working with. Adult enrollment is expected to grow 20% by 2016, and this includes both adults who do and don’t have any previous post-secondary education.

From customer service programs to home inspection programs, college training is offered through full-time, part-time, and online learning options in order to accommodate diverse backgrounds. If you are considering going back to school, here are a few tips to help you hit the ground running:

Define your goals: The golden ticket to a smooth student experience is always being aware of your ultimate goal. The investment of time and money amidst can get sometime become stressful, but keeping in mind the diploma or certificate that you will earn and the additional qualifications you are going to gain make all the hard work all the more rewarding.

Surround yourself with support: Keep your family and friends in the loop! Having a reliable support system is the core of any endeavour. Be sure to discuss what you’re learning in your college courses and share your experience with those closest to you.

Stay organized: Managing time effectively while balancing other work and family life is one of the most challenging aspects for adult learners. Make a schedule of what needs to be done when and stick to it!

Apply your experience to your education: Adult learners have the advantage of work experience in the real world to complement what they learn in the classroom. Apply your accounting training to real life scenarios and share your knowledge with your classmates. They will appreciate your particular expertise and can assist you in other ways – help each other out!

Every student has his or her own story. Some of you are splitting your time between work and school, others are doing homework while cooking dinner for a family, and a good number of you are studying full-time with the intention of starting your career right after school. Despite your differences, you all have one major thing in common: you’re students.

Whether you’re in accounting training or starting a home inspection programs, most of you deal with the same sorts of issues. Being a student can be stressful, especially when you’re juggling multiple responsibilities or when exam season rolls around. Luckily, there are ways to help you maintain full control over your academic responsibilities no matter what else you have on your plate. Let’s have a look:

Be on time all the time: Arriving to class on time is absolutely necessary. For one, you have to make sure you don’t miss any lectures or discussions. But beyond that, punctuality really represents how serious you are about doing well. Showing up to class late is like saying that performing well in school is not a top priority for you. If class means something to you, and you want to do well, keep the right attitude in mind and show up on time.

Whether you’re taking a few healthcare courses or have signed up for web design courses, being punctual will also serve to be very beneficial in your future career. This type of quality is not overlooked by employers, and shows that you are serious about your job.

Be the master of asking questions: Asking questions is a sign of curiosity and the desire to learn. If you don’t know something, or are simply just completely lost in the course material, then ask! This is important not only because it’s how you will find an answer, but it also shows that you are willing to reach out to the people around you for the sake of moving forward, And that’s exactly where questions will take you: forward.

A lot of people don’t ask questions because they are embarrassed or too shy, but you have to think of it as a golden ticket to the land of knowledge. If you’re shy, start slowly by seeing your instructor after class or during office hours. Eventually, you will feel more comfortable and will be able to ask the questions during class time.

Don’t forget to lean:  Life can get pretty hectic, and every now and then all the work and deadlines can get a bit overwhelming. One way to help you get through the tough times is by leaning on your friends, family, or anyone you feel provides you with the emotional support you need. Something as simple as going out for a movie with a buddy or taking a stroll with someone can help you clear your head. Friends and family can be the perfect escape from your stressful schedule.

A lot of us spend a quite a bit of time in front of the computer. Whether it’s for work, study or just leisure, sitting in front of the computer takes up a big chunk of our day. This is especially true for students, whether you study a computer heavy web design program or in more hands-on home inspection programs, there’s no escaping the computer life.

The fact that we are immersed in a digital world makes it all the more important to make sure we are taking care of our health while we’re getting all of our work done. One way to do this is by practicing ergonomic habits. Ergonomics is the science of proper posture and positioning in relation to your environment.

The diagram above maps out the proper seating position when working at a computer desk. If you notice that you’re in pain or are feeling aches in your back, shoulder or neck, try to apply this posture and check out these three essential tips. Before you know it you’ll feel more comfortable while working long stretches on the computer.

1. Right angles:

A major cause of eye strain, neck ache or back pain is sitting and moving at bad angles. An easy trick is to just remember one key principle: Stay at 90 degree angle. Your elbows and knees should be bent at a 90 degree angle, and your chin should be parallel to the floor. You shouldn’t have to lean forward or squint to feel comfortable.

Bonus tip: Do you wear bifocals? You may be having trouble seeing the screen through the right half of your glasses. Optometrists now make flipped bifocals for people who spend a lot of time on the computer.

2. Good keyboard skills:

Arm placement relative to your keyboard can help prevent long term wrist problems. Your wrists should be straight, not bent and your arms should not be tightly folded. Still a problem? You might want to try getting a wrist pad to go in front of your keyboard that’ll help you support your wrists and keep your arms at the right angle.

3. A comfortable chair:

It’s surprising how many us actually don’t know how to sit properly. This can cause back problems, which leads to a lot of other related aches. To simplify what proper seating posture looks like, your legs should not be curled up, and your back should be flat with the back of the chair. Ideally you should have some sort of support in the small of your back (the “lumbar region” for you anatomy experts earning your healthcare diploma) as indicated in the diagram. Don’t underestimate the chair. It’s the holy grail of proper computer posture.

Academy of Learning College pleased that Ontario PC Caucus White Paper puts spotlight on the social and economic benefits of Career Colleges.

In his Ontario PC Caucus White Paper, released February 2013, the Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party in Ontario, stated that Career Colleges are among our provinces most efficient paths to employment.

The document, entitled “Paths to Prosperity,” discusses long-overdue and necessary changes in the education sector. Mr. Hudak applauds Career Colleges, saying that they offer what traditional college and university systems cannot; they provide the kind of intensive training required by today’s employers in our adapting economy; they aid in the development of our Canadian labour force. Mr. Hudak praised, “Career Colleges are perfectly positioned to help Ontarians adapt to these changes as quickly as possible.”

Mr. Hudak’s White Paper recognizes that Career Colleges in Ontario alone train over 60,000 students each year. His document calls for the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MCTU) to “treat those institutions with a long track record of success with the respect they deserve… These Career Colleges do not require funding to build classrooms… From the perspective of a cash-strapped government, this should be considered indispensable to the province.”

According to the economic impact study conducted by OACC, “The Career College sector in Ontario currently offers more than 5,000 programs at over 600 campuses in 70 communities. It employs 12,000 staff, and annually produces approximately 50,000 skilled graduates at a minimal cost to taxpayers, due to the fact that Career Colleges receive no direct operating funds from the government. By choosing to study at Career Colleges, those 50,000 graduates save taxpayers more than $1 billion per annum. At the same time, the Career College sector generates more than $94 million in business and payroll taxes.”

The White Paper summarizes its view on the Career College Sector in “Path 13,” by saying that Career Colleges “…with strong, proven track records, should be rewarded by a reduction in the costly and time-consuming regulatory burden they currently experience on a regular basis so that they can be freer to take on students looking to gain access to the job market.”

When asked for her reaction to Mr. Hudak’s press conference, Heidi Collins, Director of Marketing and Sales, said, “Academy of Learning College is honoured to be part of the Career College Sector which increases student choice, meets employer needs, and delivers trained workers for a new economy. We are thrilled that someone of Mr. Hudak’s stature has finally spoken up for our sector’s efforts.”

The complete White Paper can be read at http://ontariopc.uberflip.com/i/108917.

Almost all of us know our way around the world wide web. Every day (if not every hour!) we log in, browse, surf, chat, tweet, post…everything! But when it comes to turning the internet into a tool to improve your school results, are you taking proper advantage of the search engine resources that are out there? There’s something for everyone, from accounting courses to home inspection certificate programs. Let`s have a look:

Quick Tips for Search Engines

1. Search for Exact Quotes:  By placing the word you type in quotation marks “like this” your search engine will bring up only pages that use that exact phrase. This is good if you’re getting a lot of results that are off topic. Try ir for yourself: First search for medical office assistant jobs and then search for the same words in quotations marks. Notice a difference? The first few hits will be the same, but as you read the results you`ll notice that there are new hits on the first page of results.

2. Search a Specific Website: Many web pages put a search engine right into their site, but if they didn’t, you can limit your web search to a particular web page by adding the word “site” to the web address where you want to look. For example, typing in “graphic design course site: http://www.academyoflearning.com “ will cause the search engine to bring up results that direct to the Academy of Learning website. This will help you limit your search to the specific website you want to find information on.

3. Use Special Search Engines: Google, Yahoo! and Bing are the big names in the search engine business. However, there are actually many more specialized search engines for finding certain sorts of data. Do you have a research project? Try Wolfram Alpha for facts and figures, while scholarly articles can be found through Google Scholar or JSTOR.

Most of the search engines also include instructions on how to get the best use out of them and offer all sorts of customized features. So go ahead and start searching! You’ll notice that researching for school will become a lot easier!

Paid or unpaid, a practical placement is a big part of starting a modern career. Bridging the knowledge you learning in business school with real life experience can be tricky, and an internship is a perfect way to help you stand tall and you make the transition from being a student to being a professional.

Here are four tips on how to make the most of your internship:

1) Take it seriously. Not only are you representing yourself to your future employers (a high number of internships and practicums turn into a first job!) but you’re also representing your school. Dress like you mean it and be prepared to act professional, including all the important things like punctuality.

2) Network and follow up. Get to know who works in your office. Get their contact info and follow up with people who mentor you. A thank you email will take you only a few minutes and can pay big dividends when it comes time to look for references for your first job search.

3) Don’t fear menial work. As an intern you’re here to learn, but sometimes you may feel like you aren’t getting to put all the cool stuff you learned in your accounting courses to work. If the boss is sending you to get coffee, don’t see it as beneath you. Instead, see it as a chance to make sure the boss knows you can be reliable. More responsibility will follow.

4) Ask questions. Fair internships know that you come at a lower salary because your main purpose for being here is to suck up as much knowledge as you can like a sponge. If it’s been a couple of months of stapling and coffee making and you’re still not using your office administration college education it’s time to ask to promote yourself to something that’s more of a challenge. Sometimes showing initiative is precisely what office managers and directors look for promoting interns.

The story of the expulsion of Hamed Al-Khabaz from Dawson College has made headlines in both local and international news.

Al-Khabaz, a twenty-year-old computer science CEGEP student in Montreal, discovered a serious security flaw in Dawson’s student web software, Omnivox. The flaw in question was an unprotected pathway for even basic users to gain access to private student information, including SIN numbers, transcripts and home addresses.

Eager to do the right thing, Al-Khabaz brought it to the attention of Skytech, the company that makes Omnivox. A couple of days after explaining the issue to Skytech, Al-Khabaz took it upon himself to check to see if the problem was cleared up by running a few tests. Skytech immediately noticed Al-Khabaz’s activity and accused him of trying to perform a cyber-attack.

Skytech threatened Al-Khabaz with notions of criminal punishment, which ultimately convinced the student to sign a non-disclosure agreement with the company. Al-Khabaz then attended a closed internal discipline hearing, involving a vote from computer science instructors, which led him being expelled from Dawson College. The entire ordeal prevented Al-Khabaz from completing his courses, which has left him with a transcript full of failing grades, not to mention having to pay back thousands of dollars in student funding and facing the emotional difficulty cause by the entire situation.

The reason why this case received so much attention is because it still isn’t clear what is and isn’t okay when it comes to accessing computer networks, and what sort of reaction is appropriate. Cyber law is still in development, and convictions for even low stakes crimes like unauthorized access can carry harsh penalties.

“I felt I had a moral duty to bring it to the attention of the college and help to fix it, which I did,” said Al-Khabaz. “I could have easily hidden my identity behind a proxy. I chose not to because I didn’t think I was doing anything wrong.”

Skytech has since clarified their position. They never wished for Al-Khabaz to be expelled and have since offered him employment and a scholarship at another institution, presumably another IT school to continue his training.

From Dawson’s perspective, the secondary unauthorized access attempts were the difference between notifying someone their door was unlocked and trying to break into their house to test their risk for burglary. However, Dawson student associations feel differently, considering Al-Khabaz a hero and petitioning for his reinstatement.

Regardless, if you’re in IT technician training or taking a few web design courses, it’s important to consider cases like Al-Khabaz’s as we all think about the ethical components that are developing in the digital world.

Whether you’re already in the work force, or still studying away in your office administration programs, you probably know that a well administered office is key part of a business’s success. Time and money are wasted if everything is not organized and run perfectly, and businesses of every size need good office administration policy to maintain everything from employee morale, to legal due diligence. However when you’ve been given planning responsibility in an office you can still be overwhelmed. But, follow these four tips and it doesn’t have to be daunting at all!

1)      Establish schedules.

A set way of handling things, from ordering supplies to processing paperwork, means that when mistakes happen it’ll be much easier to back track, which in turn help you save and manage time. Schedules and set calendars are also a key indicator as to where to find information, because everyone in the office will be able to tell when something was done and by who.

2)      Handle records correctly.

As anyone with accounting training will tell you, legal obligations require you to keep track of tax paperwork from previous years. The same goes for an office. You may need to keep track of licencing, permits and even old invoices for the office supplies. A sensible filing system is a blessing, and it will help you maintain an efficient and dependable work flow.

3)      Make sure everyone understands their job.

It may seem like a no-brainer, but any office with multiple employees is going to have a team of people who work on specific projects and tasks. Aside from everyone knowing what they have on their plate, it is also crucial for office administrators to know who is assigned what in order to know who has free time to take on something new or to delegate.

4)      Proofread everything.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a small note in the office coffee room, or the content in a new brochure; take the time to ensure everything is as it should be. Taking the necessary time to check (and re-check!) every word that you submit is what will allow you to grow as a reliable professional.

As you can tell, Office Administration college is preparing you for some serious management responsibilities. Keep these tips in mind and start practicing! By prioritizing good habits, career success will follow.

If you are thinking of becoming self-employed or planning to start a small business, you may be wondering if you have all of the skills necessary to get the job done. The issue isn’t whether you are talented or not: we know you are. But like many of the most talented business people we’ve seen, success relies on complementing talent with technical skills. Case in point: administration.

Administrative tasks can be one of the hardest parts of having a business. The paperwork can be very overwhelming if you’ve never done it before, or even if you have done it, paperwork can be daunting and subject to error after putting in long days at work.

A good way to learn administrative skills and strategies is by enrolling in a few courses at a business school. If you’re going to run your own business and actually turn a profit, you’ll need to understand small business law and even spend some time getting accounting training. Administrative and logistical knowledge like this will help you in almost every stage of the business process, whether you’re just paying yourself out of your earnings, or are managing employees and their payroll.

You will also want to promote your business. It`s one thing to create and establish an incredible business idea, but what good is it if no one knows about it? You’d be giving yourself a one-up by taking a course or two in sales, marketing and customer service programs.  Understanding the concepts that exist within these business sectors will help you bring in new clients while having the old ones come back again and again.

The other nice thing about investing in yourself is that courses can be a tax deductible business expense. Much like how your work space and tools have a different tax status than regular purchases, a need to help small businesses thrive means that if you are your own boss your education is seen as just another part of running a company.

The New Year has a way of giving us all a little extra boost of energy, which of course stems from the motivation to dedicate our time to the things we really want to achieve. Starting a new year makes us think of a fresh start, a clean slate, une carte blanche. It’s the time to get up and move full speed ahead!

For a lot of people, a fresh start means a new career. Whether you just finished high-school or have been working for decades, establishing a new career can be a difficult step. But the hard part is not in the work or the studying: The hardest part of the entire process is narrowing down your choices. You know what you like, but how exactly do you turn that into a career? The first step if to look at your options.

We’ve put together a short list of career options based on certain domains and interests. Whether you’re a desk-job kind of person or if you’re someone who prefers to work from home, there is a career path that is just right for you. Let’s take a look:

THE BUSINESS LEAN

The beauty about a business career is that it can sprout out into almost any industry. If you love fashion but are not much of a designer, why not pursue a Marketing or Administration position in a fashion company? Or, if you like working directly in the community, why not become an Event Planner for a local organization? The options are endless. The idea is to take your strengths and talents and place them in a work environment that motivates and inspires you.

Here is just a short list of the types of roles you can pursue in your industry of choice:

• Business Management
• Conference and Event Planner
• Human Resources Administration
• Marketing Coordinator
• Project Administration
• Sales Associate

Browse our Business programs for more ideas on the types of Business careers out there.

DEDICATION TO HEALTHCARE

Dedicating your life’s work to helping others is one of the most admirable ambitions. From doctors to hospital room housekeepers, every healthcare professional plays a vital role in ensuring our medical system run smoothly and effectively.

Many think that becoming a doctor or nurse is the only option they have if they want to work in the healthcare industry, but this just isn’t true. There are countless different healthcare career options out there for anyone who has that passion to spend every day with the goal to help people live healthier lives.

Here is just a small list of our Healthcare Diploma programs that lead to possible career choices.

• Dental Administrative Assistant
• Health Unit Coordinator
• Medical Receptionist
• Personal Support Worker
• Pharmacy Technician

THE COMPUTER WHIZ

Computers are a part of our everyday lives, but for most of us, our knowledge doesn’t go past the basics: scrolling, blogging, emailing, even making videos have all become standard knowledge for the average person.

But what about all of you that have a knack for the more complex computer details? Without skilled IT technicians, all of the networks, coding, computer programs and software wouldn’t do what we actually need them to do. In today’s technical marketplace, IT experts are the lifeline of productivity.

There are a growing number of IT Technician Training careers out there, including:

• Computer Service Technician
• Help Desk Support Analyst
• Network Administrator
• PC Support Specialist
• Certified Systems Engineer

DREAMS OF DESIGN

Web design is an increasingly expanding profession, and it looks like it’s just going to keep growing. But what does being a web designer actually entail? Do you necessarily have to work in a company, or can you work from home? Will you have creative liberty in a corporate setting? If you prefer working freelance, how can you be sure you will get enough work?

These are tough questions, and unfortunately, there are no definite answers. Figuring these things out takes time. The direction in which you take your web design career is up to you, and often times it is best to dabble in different industries and settings until you find which works best for you.

The first step, of course, is to explore Web Design programs and be sure that your knowledge and skills are up to par.

Staff from campuses across Canada spent three days New Orleans in November 2012 for Academy of Learning College’s 25th Anniversary Conference.  The of three days of education, networking, celebrations, and laughter is a memory that will last a lifetime!

Watch the Academy of Learning College 25th Anniversary Conference Montage for highlights from the 25th Anniversary Conference.

As the President of Academy of Learning College, I have the honour, on behalf of our entire organization, of conveying my heartfelt congratulations to you, our valued students, as I announce that Academy of Learning College this week officially celebrates our 25th Anniversary.

In August 1987, Academy of Learning College cut the ribbon on its first college in Thornhill, Ontario. Over the past 25 years, that modest beginning has flourished into a national network of more than 60 campuses stretched across the Canadian provinces and territories. From Victoria to Charlottetown, from North Battleford to Toronto, we have helped make the dream of a college diploma come true for hundreds of thousands of graduates who are now working in their chosen careers.

We are proud that you chose Academy of Learning College for your education, and we take that responsibility seriously. When you entrusted us with your future by crossing the threshold into an Academy of Learning College campus, you were taking the first steps toward changing your life, passing from where you were yesterday, to where you will be tomorrow. It is our honour to accompany you on your journey, and we thank each and every one of our students for this enormous accolade, which we will forever treasure.

Your admissions representatives, instructors, facilitators, managers, and all campus staff are devoted passionately to your education and lifelong career success. Our 25-year milestone represents the culmination of their passion, commitment and dedication to our students. Take a moment this week to celebrate together, as you and they, collectively, are the team that will fashion your future. Whether you are at the start of your program, still fearful and only just starting to build confidence, or at the end of your education, ready to face the world with renewed knowledge and energy, pause this week to appreciate where you are on your journey… because it will be over all too quickly.

Reaching our 25th Anniversary not only constitutes a remarkable achievement for Academy of Learning College, but more importantly, it also represents the most valuable reward of all… the knowledge that we have earned the confidence and loyalty of our students, both past and present. Students over the decades have referred sons and granddaughters, friends and neighbours. They have entrusted to our care the people in their life whom they held most dear. This is the ultimate tribute, which 25 years of students have bestowed.

Our crowning achievement is you. And when you complete your training and wave farewell, clutching your richly-deserved diploma, another success story will unfold.

Thank you for giving us a reason to celebrate. Because of you, we will be here, united, making dreams come true for another 25 years.

Best wishes for your journey,

Derek Hamill President

Companies check out job seekers prior to hiring them, and you should be checking out companies prior to applying for employment–or, at the very least, before accepting a job offer.

At Your Fingertips

Years ago, researching a potential employer required a trip to the library. Today, library information and more are available online.

… But where do you start?

The first destination is the employer’s website. It doesn’t matter if an employer is large or small; most organizations have an online presence.
Visit search engine Google, www.google.com, key in the company or organization name, and hit enter. This should return the website address you seek. Once at the employer’s website, it’s time to assume the role of Sherlock Holmes.

What You’re Seeking

What exactly are you looking for when at a potential employer’s website? Begin at the beginning.

Operations overview of the organization.

If you don’t already know, you need to find out what this potential employer does, along with its business approach.
Take a look at the “About Us” section of the website. Also look at its product or service offerings. In addition, check out its list of locations. Next, explore its list of clients, if one is provided, and/or a list of business partners. If your potential employer is a public company you may want to look at its annual report as well.

Who’s at the helm.

Then look at the management team and board of directors. What kinds of backgrounds do these people have? Does your background (or aspirations) match theirs? Are there women in senior-level positions? Does the management teaminclude people of color?

Recent achievements.

What has the organization been up to lately? To find out, visit the “Company News” or “Press Releases” section of the site. Press releases that announce record profits suggest one kind of environment, while announcements aboutconsolidating operations and closing facilities suggest another.

Corporate culture.

Most organizations articulate their culture with a statement or even an entire section. Pay attention to how the culture fits, or doesn’t fit, with your own. Also take a look at photos. At Internet search giant Google, for example, people sit on colorful balls during meetings. This is a very different environment from a Big Four accounting firm where meetings are typically conducted around a conference table.

– Read the full article –

I love making lists. They keep me organized, on task, and in the moment. The thing is, life is short. College goes by fast. And if you don’t know what you want to do, there’s no way you can get it done. So combining two of my favourite things into a list of goals is the natural next step to make sure time doesn’t get away from me. Plus, it’s fun.

The “25 Things” List

One of the best things I ever did for myself was the creation of a list I wrote my freshman year of college called “Things to To Do Before I Turn 25″ (as 25 nears, though, I admit that I’ve let the number slip up to 30!). I knew there were some things I wanted to get done in my life, but for one reason or another, I hadn’t done them–so I decided to write them down and cross them off as I finished them.

Write Your List!

When you think of the things you most want to do, what comes to mind? Write these things down, and give yourself a deadline to achieve them. They can be big or small, easy or hard. For example, here are a few items from my list (which ended up having more than 25 things on it!):

1. GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE!

2. Stand in falling snow

5. Do a self portrait

13. Speak French to someone who learned it in France

15. See New York

25. Drive a really expensive car

So basically, your list can be anything you want to do; from riding a horse to building a house, write down your real goals!
If you’re having trouble getting started, try borrowing other people’s goals. One of my friends wrote a blog entry about how she wanted to read the same number of books as she was years old every year, and I loved that idea so much that I added it to one of my yearly goal sets.

Make it Happen

Once you’ve written down your list, post it somewhere you’ll see it often. The whole “out of sight, out of mind” works both ways–if you see your list often, it will stay on your mind.

The next step, of course, is to stop putting things off. When you get the opportunity to do one of the things on your list, take it! I can’t tell you how good it feels to cross something off–and so I’ve actually managed to finish 22 of my 25 things!

Source: survivingcollegelife.com

You’ve found a great opportunity: you’re able to work and go to school at the same time to earn a degree or take courses for personal interest.  But once you’ve started, you can’t seem to find time to fit everything in.  Here are some guidelines for working students who can’t seem to find enough time in a day.

Be Organized: Keep your school materials organized and in one place.  Mark upcoming deadlines on your calendar and start school projects early to allow sufficient time to complete them in case other things come up in the meantime.  If you’re taking several courses at once, don’t spend all of your time on one course while other deadlines begin to loom on the horizon.

Create a flexible schedule: Some parts of your schedule are going to be inflexible, such as class times and work days.  Fit homework and studying in when you’re either not in class or not at the office.  Build a routine that you can stick to, but are able to adjust if other important things come up.  As a working student, you have to be ready to adapt to new assignments, unexpected errands, and sudden work crises that need to be addressed immediately. Make enough studying time in your schedule so that if something comes up, you can shift it into another slot during the week.

Communicate your schedule to your employers, friends, clients and family: Make sure the people around you know where you’ll be and when. Sign up for an online calendar and send the URL to the people who depend on knowing where you are and when. Not everyone you work with will understand the demands of being a student and, similarly, not all of your classmates will understand the additional responsibilities of working while in school.

Manage stress: Stress is an inevitable part of being a student and a worker — combine both together and you can expect to be stressed out. As much as you may try to preventstress, you’re going to have to learn how to relieve it as well.

• Take those much-needed breaks. Give yourself time to collect yourself when you need it the most, so you can re-approach things with a clear head.
• Be active. Stretch. Swim. Run. Lift. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps relieve stress and you’ll find that the more you get out and exercise, the easier work and school will seem. Exercising is commonly known to reduce stress.
• Live. Don’t forget to enjoy life. Don’t get bogged down by nuisances of the demands of your academic and professional life. Take time to experience the world around you and appreciate your relationships in life. See movies, read books, watch sports. Don’t forget to squeeze in the things that make life worth living into your schedule.

Be realistic: There may not be enough time for everything, so get your priorities straight and don’t beat yourself up if you don’t accomplish every single task you’ve set out to do on a given day. Stay positive and be thankful that you have the opportunity to make a livingand get an education — two things many people in the world go without.

Know that it can be done! It may seem overwhelming at times, but remember that other people have gone through the same thing you are, and they have succeeded! You can too.

Within the first few days of starting college, many students quickly learn that managing their time is one of the most challenging — and difficult — aspects of being in school. With so much to do and keep track of, strong time management skills can make all the difference.

1. Get — and use — a calendar. It can be a paper calendar. It can be your cell phone. It can be a PDA. No matter what kind it is, though, make sure you have one.

2. Write down everything. Write down everything in one place. (Having multiple calendars just gives you more to do amidst an already tight schedule.) Schedule when you plan to sleep, when you are going to do your laundry, when you’re going to call your parents. The crazier your schedule gets, the more important this becomes.

3. Schedule time to relax. Don’t forget to schedule in time to relax and breathe. Just because your calendar goes from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. doesn’t mean you can.

4. Keep trying new systems. If your cell phone calendar isn’t big enough, buy a paper one. If your paper one keeps getting torn, try a PDA. If you have too many things written down each day, try color-coding to help simplify. Very few college students make it through their programs without some kind of calendaring system; keep trying until you find one that works for you.

5. Allow for flexibility. Things inevitably come up that you weren’t expecting. You may not have known that your roommate’s birthday is this week, and you certainly don’t want to miss the celebrations! Leave room in your calendar so that you can move things around a little when needed.

6. Plan ahead. Do you have a large research paper due the last week of the semester? Work backward in your calendar and figure out how much time you need to write it, how much time you’ll need to research it, and how much time you’ll need to pick your topic. If you think you’ll need six weeks for the entire project, work backward from the due date and schedule the time into your calendar before it’s too late.

7. Plan for the unexpected. Sure, you just might be able to pull off two papers and a presentation during midterms week. But what happens if you catch the flu the night you’re supposed to be pulling the all-nighter? Expect the unexpected so you don’t have to spend more unplanned time trying to fix your mistakes.

8. Schedule rewards in. Your midterms week is a nightmare, but it will all be over Friday by 2:30. Schedule a fun afternoon and a nice dinner out with some friends; your brain will need it, and you can relax knowing that you’re not supposed to be doing anything else.

Source: About.com

The most successful people in business approach their work differently than most. See how they think–and why it works. I’m fortunate enough to know a number of remarkably successful people. Regardless of industry or profession, they all share the same perspectives and beliefs.

And they act on those beliefs:

1. Time doesn’t fill me. I fill time.

Deadlines and time frames establish parameters, but typically not in a good way. The average person who is given two weeks to complete a task will instinctively adjust his effort so it actually takes two weeks. Forget deadlines, at least as a way to manage your activity. Tasks should only take as long as they need to take. Do everything as quickly and effectively as you can. Then use your “free” time to get other things done just as quickly and effectively. Average people allow time to impose its will on them; remarkable people impose their will on their time.

2. The people around me are the people I chose.

Some of your employees drive you nuts. Some of your customers are obnoxious. Some of your friends are selfish, all-about-me jerks.

You chose them. If the people around you make you unhappy it’s not their fault. It’s your fault. They’re in your professional or personal life because you drew them to you–and you let them remain.

Think about the type of people you want to work with. Think about the types of customers you would enjoy serving. Think about the friends you want to have.

Then change what you do so you can start attracting those people. Hardworking people want to work with hardworking people. Kind people like to associate with kind people. Remarkable employees want to work for remarkable bosses.

Successful people are naturally drawn to successful people.

3. I have never paid my dues.

Dues aren’t paid, past tense. Dues get paid, each and every day. The only real measure of your value is the tangible contribution you make on a daily basis.

No matter what you’ve done or accomplished in the past, you’re never too good to roll up your sleeves, get dirty, and do the grunt work. No job is ever too menial, no task ever too unskilled or boring.

Remarkably successful people never feel entitled–except to the fruits of their labor.

4. Experience is irrelevant. Accomplishments are everything.

You have “10 years in the Web design business.” Whoopee. I don’t care how long you’ve been doing what you do. Years of service indicate nothing; you could be the worst 10-year programmer in the world.

I care about what you’ve done: how many sites you’ve created, how many back-end systems you’ve installed, how many customer-specific applications you’ve developed (and what kind)… all that matters is what you’ve done.

Successful people don’t need to describe themselves using hyperbolic adjectives like passionate, innovative, driven, etc. They can just describe, hopefully in a humble way, what they’ve done.

5. Failure is something I accomplish; it doesn’t just happen to me.

Ask people why they have been successful. Their answers will be filled with personal pronouns: I, me, and the sometimes too occasional we.

Ask them why they failed. Most will revert to childhood and instinctively distance themselves, like the kid who says, “My toy got broken…” instead of, “I broke my toy.”

They’ll say the economy tanked. They’ll say the market wasn’t ready. They’ll say their suppliers couldn’t keep up.

They’ll say it was someone or something else.

And by distancing themselves, they don’t learn from their failures.

Occasionally something completely outside your control will cause you to fail. Most of the time, though, it’s you. And that’s okay. Every successful person has failed. Numerous times. Most of them have failed a lot more often than you. That’s why they’re successful now.

Embrace every failure: Own it, learn from it, and take full responsibility for making sure that next time, things will turn out differently.

6. Volunteers always win.

Whenever you raise your hand you wind up being asked to do more.

That’s great. Doing more is an opportunity: to learn, to impress, to gain skills, to build new relationships–to do something more than you would otherwise been able to do.

Success is based on action. The more you volunteer, the more you get to act. Successful people step forward to create opportunities.

Remarkably successful people sprint forward.

7. As long as I’m paid well, it’s all good.

Specialization is good. Focus is good. Finding a niche is good.

Generating revenue is great.

Anything a customer will pay you a reasonable price to do–as long as it isn’t unethical, immoral, or illegal–is something you should do. Your customers want you to deliver outside your normal territory? If they’ll pay you for it, fine. They want you to add services you don’t normally include? If they’ll pay you for it, fine. The customer wants you to perform some relatively manual labor and you’re a high-tech shop? Shut up, roll ‘em up, do the work, and get paid.

Only do what you want to do and you might build an okay business. Be willing to do what customers want you to do and you can build a successful business.

Be willing to do even more and you can build a remarkable business.

And speaking of customers…

8. People who pay me always have the right to tell me what to do.

Get over your cocky, pretentious, I-must-be-free-to-express-my-individuality self. Be that way on your own time.

The people who pay you, whether customers or employers, earn the right to dictate what you do and how you do it–sometimes down to the last detail.

Instead of complaining, work to align what you like to do with what the people who pay you want you to do.

Then you turn issues like control and micro-management into non-issues.

9. The extra mile is a vast, unpopulated wasteland.

Everyone says they go the extra mile. Almost no one actually does. Most people who go there think, “Wait… no one else is here… why am I doing this?” and leave, never to return.

That’s why the extra mile is such a lonely place.

That’s also why the extra mile is a place filled with opportunities.

Be early. Stay late. Make the extra phone call. Send the extra email. Do the extra research. Help a customer unload or unpack a shipment. Don’t wait to be asked; offer. Don’t just tell employees what to do–show them what to do and work beside them.

Every time you do something, think of one extra thing you can do–especially if other people aren’t doing that one thing. Sure, it’s hard.

But that’s what will make you different.

And over time, that’s what will make you incredibly successful.

Source: Inc.