Learn stuff for free through iTunes U.

In 2007, Apple jumped on the free online college course bandwagon through its iTunes application. Here you will find iTunes U, a selection of recorded videos, ebook, .pdf files and podcasts from courses offered by a variety of schools including Harvard, Stanford, and Earlham Community School District. These days, iTunes U offers “courses”, as noted by the binding on the left side of the course icon, and “collections”, that is, gatherings of lectures on a topic. For example, “Statistics 101”, taught by Harvard’s Joseph Blitzstein, was designed as a class, whereas “What Great Bosses Know” is a collection of podcasts from Poyntner Intsitute’s Jill Geisler. All are available on a desktop computer through iTunes or through the iTunes U app for iPad or iPhone. These courses are offered freely, but one cannot get college credit for them.

iTunes
http://www.apple.com/itunes/

Take college-level classes online for free at the Online Learning Initiative

Free college-level online classes have been available since 2001, when Carnegie Mellon University introduced its Open Learning Initiative (OLI). Today, OLI offers 18 introductory-level online classes in a variety of subjects including Biochemistry, Statistical Reasoning and Elementary French. Students affiliated with the university pay a fee to have their tests graded and receive credit for their work. Independent learners, on the other hand, are welcome to work through the pre-recorded lectures for no charge, but they will not be quizzed nor receive credit. Still, they are encouraged to establish a free account with the OLI site so it can track their progress. OLI designs their courses with measurable learning outcomes, which gives them the tools to “iteratively improve our courses and improve the teaching and learning experience.”

OLI
http://oli.cmu.edu

Out-of-state college students, ensure your voting status at Campus Vote Project

College students living away from their home state face particular challenges in some states when they try to register to vote. In Florida, for example, all voters must present proof of permanent residence, which is difficult for out-of-state university students. The Campus Vote Project is a non-profit organization that works “with students to remove barriers to voting on campuses across the country.” If you are an out-of-state college student, visit this site to see what you must do to make your vote count.

Campus Vote Project
http://www.campusvoteproject.org

Find information about tax-free 529 plans at Savingforcollege.com

It has been said that a college degree has become necessary for success in adult life. But with tuition costs soaring and governments cutting funding for state schools, how are you going to pay for it? Savingforcollege.com offers free state-by-state information about 529 plans, the tax-free way to invest toward your child’s college costs. Download their Family Guide to College Savings for some tuition tackling tactics.

Savingforcollege.com
http://www.savingforcollege.com

Are you an imposter? Take the test!

Some people feel a disconnect between their outward success and their inward state. They suffer from a distinct impression that they are living a lie and will soon be discovered for the imposters that they are. Read about “IP” in this article from the counseling center at the California State University at Fullerton. Take the Clance IP test to see if you suffer from the Imposter Phenomenon.

http://www.kalimunro.com/self-quiz_imposter.html

http://www.fullerton.edu/universityblues/self_steem/imposter_phenomenon.htm

Fastweb helps find money for college.

This free service (with lots of ads) asks applicants to fill out an extensive online questionnaire about their interests and experiences, as well as those of their parents. Then, it matches these characteristics to a huge database of scholarships. When new scholarships appear that fit a profile, Fastweb sends e-mail to notify students about it. It also can automatically print out a scholarship query letter. All a student has to do is sign it and pop it in the mail. Cool!

http://www.fastweb.com

 

Assess your strengths with SWOT analysis

What are your strengths? What do you need to work on to achieve your goals? What are the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a major or a career? Sometimes, writing it out makes the situation clearer. Try the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) technique, described here, to help you decide what path to follow.

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_05_1.htm

Thinking about college? Get help from U.S. News & World Report

The Education section of the website of U.S. News & World Report, the (now monthly) newsmagazine, is a good place to start exploring college options. Browse their lists of “best” colleges for various courses of study. (Although their ranking methodology has been criticized, they do list the major players.) The site also offers articles about financing college, including a Financial Aid Letter Decoder to help you understand how your award stacks up. Another feature is the “Guide to Admissions,” [http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/features/guide-to-admissions] which addresses the tests, the admission essays, and the latest college admissions news.
http://www.usnews.com/sections/education

RateMyProfessors.com helps students choose classes.

College students use the frank Rate My Professors to help them choose their classes.  Leslie Fields, Monitor at Crowell Public Library says, “This site was *so* helpful to me when I was in school. It helped me to avoid bad teachers, or to see if they taught one class better than others.” (Apparently, some professors are more effective when instructing small upper level seminars than they at inspiring a large survey class.)  “I used this all the time!” she declares. These days, Fields could rate her instructors via cell phone with the free iPhone app [http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rate-my-professors/id345381821].

http://ratemyprofessors.com