CNN Money has just released an article on how to get out of the minimum wage trap – where it feels like every penny you earn goes for expenses that keep increasing and even getting to work starts to look doubtful because of rising gas prices.

And it’s no surprise that the first two things on their list is education!  That by choosing an accredited school with a solid program – either at a local campus or online – you can increase opportunities.

Remember, even though programs can seem expensive at first, many schools offer plans to help make it more affordable. Financial aid may even be available for those who qualify.

So if you’re stuck in a dead-end job and trying to find your way out, you know what to do.  Look for the education.

Source:  http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/24/pf/saving/toptips/?postversion=2008072416

The healthcare industry is booming! As the baby boomer generation enters retirement, more and more jobs will be required to fulfill their medical needs. As the opportunity for entering a booming sector presents itself, it’s daunting to think of changing professions or going back to school.

However the opportunity for a part-time work is available and with good pay! CareerBuilder.com published an article on Today’s Best Part-Time Jobs. With a little training you could have a part-time job that is flexible with exceptional pay.

Dental Assistants
Dental Assistants keep a dentists office running smoothly. They assist in procedures; take x-rays and care for patients. Many dentist offices are open part-time or carry regular business hours making it easy to accommodate a busy schedule.

Average pay: $14.53/hour

Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacy Technicians help prepare prescriptions for patients in hospitals, medical facilities or retail pharmacies. Because there are so many places pharmacy tech’s can work, there are a wide variety of schedules available from daytime to graveyard shifts.

Average pay: $12.32/hour with the opportunity for higher pay for different shifts and certifications.

Physical Therapy Assistant
Organization and support is the key to running a successful business. Physical Therapy Assistants provide support for physical therapists during appointments. They also offer patient support during therapy sessions. Some facilities only schedule appointments during normal business hours; several others make appointments available during the evening and weekend hours.

Average pay: $10.61/hour

Home Health Aides
Home Health Aides assist elderly, ill or disabled patients at their homes or in assisted-living facilities. They ensure the patients home or living environment is accommodating their daily needs. Working hours are often based on the patients need. Those working out of a patient’s home may only require a few hours per day.

Average pay: $8.54/hour or higher with experience

You’ve applied and been accepted to college. You’ve even received a great package of materials that includes all the financial information you need – tuition, room and board and student fees. But no matter how clear the numbers seem to be in black and white, it’s important to budget for some of the hidden costs of a college education!

Many room and board plans contain a set number of meals per week. But it’s important to pay attention to the fine print! Many cafeterias have reduced hours on the weekend – causing you to have to supplement your meals even when you’re not going out for the evening. And don’t forget to budget in money for snacks and quick meals when even the short trip to the cafeteria sounds like an eternity.

Other hidden costs include books and resource materials. Most colleges or universities give an estimate of how much it costs for a semester’s worth of books – don’t depend on that to be the amount you owe! Try to get the reading lists as early as possible and check online for bargains and secondhand books – because it’s not uncommon for the campus bookstore to sell out early, leaving you having to pay full price. And many school libraries charge by the page if you need copies made – even if you can’t check the book out of the library! And if you’re doing a slick presentation for a business class and having it bound at the local copy shop, you could be spending more than you might think.

It’s the little things that get you! Find out about the small costs at your college campus. How much will you be spending for laundry? Is there metered parking? Will you be grabbing a cup of coffee or a soda on the way to class? These small expenses can add up faster than you might think!

Finally, don’t forget to budget in travel costs! Whether you’re going to school an hour away by car or half a day by plane, chances are that you’re going to want to visit home – and between airfare and gas prices, you could be paying a pretty penny. Make sure you know ahead of time how often you’ll be visiting your family – every weekend, every month or once a semester. Of course, you might be able to factor in reduced laundry cost when you do!

Going away to college is a fantastic experience – and one that’s a lot less stressful if you over-budget for all the possible expenses. So as you’re packing for your first days at school, make sure to pack a little extra cash. But try to leave those credit cards at home!

Most new college students can’t wait to be on their own. They want to make their own decisions, doing what they want, when they want and how they want. Many new college students also receive a rude awakening when the realization hits home that they truly are on their own. Mom isn’t there to make sure that they get out of bed and go to school or that they have clean clothes to wear. Professors aren’t quite as forgiving as high school teachers when assignment deadlines are missed. Dad isn’t there to provide the few extra bucks needed to satisfy that pizza craving at two o’clock in the morning.

“I had no idea how to do laundry,” said Lauren Morgan, a sophomore at the University of Arkansas. “My mom had always done that for me. It was so embarrassing because I had to ask other people in the laundry room how to work the washer and dryer.”

It’s not too late to become independent as you begin college this semester. Start taking the following steps to make that first year away from home as successful as possible.

Learn how to budget – Plan on putting a set amount in savings each month, and then open a checking account and balance your checkbook diligently. There’s nothing worse than a $10 purchase turning into a $50 purchase because you bounced a check and have to pay a returned check fee.

Find a part-time job – Find this on your own. Don’t allow your parents to pull strings for you. If they have a connection, find out the person’s contact information and get in touch with them yourself.

Introduce yourself to the washer and dryer – The last thing you need is for all of your large white shirts to become extra small pink shirts. Learn how to sort laundry by color and how to use proper water temperatures to protect your clothes – and your pride.

Become a planner – Keep yourself on a schedule with a day planner or PDA. Don’t expect your parents to wake you up and tell you when and where you need to be. Keep track of assignment due dates, activities and meetings. Schedule time during the week for studying so you’re able to relax and enjoy the weekends.

Taking these steps will put you on the fast track to personal independence. You might even end up being the person your roommate goes to when they need to turn on the washer.

In every student’s life there comes a time when they ask themselves, “Am I doing the right thing?!” High school is an exciting time, but it’s also a time to be mindful of the future. Figuring out the who/what/when/where of college can be daunting . especially when everyone and their brother has an opinion on what school is best for you.

If you’re having difficulty making concrete decisions, there are people you should listen to (like, uh, your gut) and people you should avoid like the plague! That being said, here’s a semi-comprehensive list of people to avoid when making life-changing college decisions:

5) Your girlfriend/boyfriend/significant other of five minutes
Okay, face it . if you end up going to a certain school just because you have a serious case of puppy love . well, that’s just stinkin’ thinkin’! High school sweethearts can fade, but an education is FOREVER. Plus, trust me . once you get to college there are about a bazillion new people you’re going to meet.

4) Your current boss
Chances are . you’re looking to land a bigger, better gig once you’ve scored your diploma. And while I’m sure there are currently plenty of job opportunities at the local TasteeFreeze . you are not going to be making sundaes forever. On the other hand, if you have a good working relationship with your supervisor, you may be able to have your ice cream cake and eat it too. Securing a part-time job through college is not always a bad thing.

3) Demi Moore
Demi Moore dropped out of high school at age 16. Demi Moore ended up a famous actress. Chances of that happening again are 1 in 8,443,912,619. Demi got an education in the school of hard knocks, but you can get ahead the old-fashioned way and get your college degree. Shoot, Ashton Kutcher started out at the University of Iowa . which is also my alma mater. Too bad I got the brains and he got the looks, but whatever.

2) That ONE friend
You know who I’m talking about. The person that you’ve been stuck with the last four years and are desperate to shake. Unfortunately, they’ve latched on to you like a relentless barnacle and you can’t get rid of them. Well, guess what . pick the right college and you NEVER have to see them again. Except at those pesky high school reunions . but by then you’ll have a killer job while that ONE friend is still working at the Bowl-A-Rama.

1) The almighty dollar
Okay . in this scenario, let’s pretend money is a person. And not a helpful one at that. Just because you may not have the $BLING$ to go to Harvard doesn’t mean you can’t ATTEND Harvard. Again, stinkin’ thinkin’. Schools have scholarships, scholarships have scholarships . find ‘em, use ‘em. Student loans can get you where you want to go. Where there’s a will . there’s a WAY to get in to the college of your choice.

Fuzzy bunny slippers. Check. Comfy PJs. Check. Ice-cold refreshing beverage. Check. Now you’ve got everything you need to take a tour of your favorite college campuses – a virtual tour, that is.

Guiding the journey for millions of potential college students are the experts at Campustours.com, the worldwide leader in the virtual campus tour industry. According to its web site, Campustours.com offers a database of more than 600 virtual tours of post-secondary learning institutions.

Virtual campus tours have come a long way from the simple picture and text tours of the 90s. The advent of broadband Internet access has turned web-based tours into a multimedia experience as opposed to a simple online campus viewbook. These cutting-edge presentations contain video and soundtracks rivaling feature films.

There is not a “typical” campus tour. Each one is customized to an individual college. Essentially, a campus tour is a way to walk the halls of your top college picks from the freedom of your bedroom; no tour guides, no schedules, and no getting lost.

Content varies from site to site, but what you should expect from a top notch tour? Fully guided video tours, virtual maps of the campus and the community, video of faculty in classroom settings, audio commentary and quotes from current students, 360 degree views of important areas of the campus and information.lots of information.

“This generation of prospective college students are the most technically savvy we have ever experienced,” said Chris Carson, President of Campustours.com. “They demand an experience that allows them to view themselves as a student of that school.”

You should also expect to answer some key questions. Are the class sizes small or large? Is the school community suited to your tastes? Is the school in an environment where you feel comfortable? But be cautious about your online experience.

The editors of KEY took a variety of virtual tours on the Campustours.com. The Julliard School in New York City was among the most captivating, containing insightful looks at almost every program and campus locale along with text and student commentary. A tour of New York City was also included.

While virtual campus tours are one in-depth way for students to “try it before you buy it,” be cautious.

“A virtual tour by no means replaces a physical campus tour,” Carson said. “There is only so much information you can gather through a computer.”

But before you trek to your No. 1 college pick for an in-person visit, be sure to lose the bunny slippers and the PJs . unless, of course, you’re a law major.

• Just 41 percent of graduates in 2005 scored a 22 or higher on the ACT Math Test, indicating they are likely to earn a C or better in college algebra.
• Only 26 percent scored a 24 or higher on the ACT Science Test, indicating the likelihood of earning a C or better in college biology.
• Only 51 percent scored a 21 on the ACT Reading Test, indicating they are likely to earn a C or better in college-level social science courses.
• 68 percent of graduates achieved a score of 18 or higher on the ACT English Test, indicating they are well prepared for a freshman English composition class.

Get on track for college

If you’ve taken the right courses in high school, you’re on the right track for college. Students who take the recommended core courses in high school are better prepared for college than those who don’t. ACT score results consistently show this.

What are the minimum recommended core courses?

• four years of English
• three years each of mathematics (algebra and higher), natural sciences, and social sciences
  1. Take more college prep core courses — Performance on the ACT mostly depends on the classes you take in high school. The ACT measures what you have learned in English, math, reading and science. The more college prep, or core, classes you can take in these areas, the more likely you are to earn higher ACT scores. One ACT study showed that students who took calculus scored an average of 3 ½ points higher on the ACT Math Test and 2 points higher on the Science Test. They also earned a Composite score 2 ½ points higher than the students who didn’t take calculus.
  2. Take practice tests — A simple and effective way to become familiar with ACT format and content is to take practice tests. ACT offers a variety of inexpensive ways to take practice tests. Visit actstudent.org for test prep options.
  3. Answer every question — There is no penalty for guessing on the ACT. Your correct answers are counted toward your score. So answer every question, even if you’re not sure of the answer. Eliminate the answers you think aren’t possible. After narrowing down your list of answers, try to make the best guess you can and move on.
  4. Review additional test taking strategies — These strategies include reading each question thoroughly and making sure that you’ve only marked one answer for each question. You can find more strategies at actstudent.org.
  5. Take the ACT again — If you aren’t satisfied with your performance on the ACT, you can take it again. This is a good idea especially if you have taken additional college prep classes since you last took the ACT. Researchers at ACT have studied test performance of students who took the test more than once and found that 55 percent earned a higher Composite score, 23 percent had a lower score and 22 percent stayed the same. Students who take it a second time increase their Composite scores, on average, by one point. Some students may have bigger gains and some may score lower. If you plan to take the ACT again, look at your current test scores and identify weak areas for additional study and review.
     Think ahead to relieve test-taking stress
  1. One student bought a new calculator the night before the test. He didn’t use it before entering the test room, only to find out it didn’t work when he sat down to take the test.
  2. One student didn’t look at her test admission ticket until the day before the test, only to find out that she wasn’t taking the test at her school but at a test center an hour away. She had to rethink how her test day would go and factor in time to drive to the test.
  3. One student arrived at the test center without a photo ID card. He had to run home before the test started to get his driver’s license.
  4. One student left the lights on in a borrowed car he drove to the test. He worried throughout the test and found a dead battery when the test was over.
  1. Find something that interests you and that you enjoy reading, such as a book series, a magazine or a section of the newspaper. Read often.
  2. Create a reading spot. It’s much easier to read if you’re comfortable.
  3. Establish a daily reading time — lunch, before sports practice or bedtime — whatever works best for you. You might even begin to look forward to that reading time.
  4. Visit bookstores or the library and explore all the types of reading materials available. The choices are endless — sports magazines, graphic novels, how-to manuals, teen fiction and newspapers, just to name a few.
  5. Read a book that’s coming out as a movie. Compare the two and think about what version you liked best and why.
  6. Follow your interests and do some research on the Internet. Read about a new band, a new car or your favorite actor.
  7. Try reading something new. Don’t just stick with your favorites. Check out a daily newspaper, a classic novel or a news magazine. You might be surprised by what you read.

The ideal is to take Biology, Chemistry and Physics, plus Algebra II, Trigonometry and/or Calculus.

Some colleges require other classes as prerequisites for admission, such as two or more years of the same foreign language or courses in the visual arts, music, theater, drama, dance, computer science, etc.
The ACT — It’s your choice

Choice is good. And with the ACT® test, you have some choices to make. The first is whether to take the ACT or the ACT Plus Writing. ACT made the Writing Test optional, so colleges can decide whether or not to require scores from a writing test. If the colleges you’re planning to apply to don’t require a writing test, you won’t need to take one. Go to the test prep section at actstudent.org. to find out what colleges have to say about requiring a writing test.

Another important choice ACT provides is score choice. You can choose to see your scores before deciding to send them to colleges. And if you take the test more than once, you can choose to send only your best score. It costs $7 to send a score report to each college you’re interested in, but if waiting to see your score first is important to you, it might be worth it. It’s your decision.
Improving your ACT scores

It’s no surprise that students want high ACT scores to submit when they apply to college or apply for scholarships. There are no secret tips to ensure high scores, but you can do a few things to improve your performance on the ACT.

When you head off to take the ACT, don’t let forgetfulness or inattention surprise you with something unexpected that can affect your test-taking abilities. Here are some true stories of unexpected events:

Obviously, unexpected events happen in our lives over which we have no control. But if you take a few steps to prepare for test day, you’ll be comfortable knowing you’re prepared and may even avoid an unwelcome surprise or two. Read your testing information from ACT early and visit actstudent.org to get familiar with test day procedures and what is allowed in the testing room. And don’t forget to try out that new calculator before heading to the test.
Tips for building your reading skills

College will require you to read a lot of material, much of it challenging, and usually in a short amount of time. Before heading to college, there’s also the ACT, which includes a Reading Test and three other tests that require reading comprehension to complete.

Following are some tips to increase your reading time and help build your reading skills:

When it comes to high school . you have enough things to worry about, yes? Peer pressure, grades, popularity, teachers, etcetera. What you should REALLY be worried about is college! Face it . from the nanosecond you set foot in your respective high school, it’s possible to feel overwhelmed about the who/what/when/where/why of choosing COLLEGE X.

If the college search process seems overwhelming, you’re right .. it is. Some students manage to make it next to impossible by letting the research, applications forms and deadlines boggle the mind. But in the end, the objective of your search is to find the school that is right for you. You get to choose. And, you also get to choose how you GO ABOUT finding a school, so why freak out?

Before things start to spiral out of control, remembering the following four principles will make your search process a lot easier.

1) BUDGET SCHMUDGET

The four ugliest words any college advisor can hear is: “I can’t afford college.” But in this day and age . you can’t afford NOT to go to college. Do you really want to work in a job you hate for 40 years? Uh, no. Start researching your budget NOW! Just because you can’t AFFORD Harvard doesn’t mean you can’t ATTEND Harvard. Apply for any and all applicable scholarships. There’s a reason why scholarships were created . use ‘em! And while I’m not sure who created student loans – they are there if you need them. Always see which college can give you the most bang for your buck.

2) LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Throw a dart at any map and, chances are, there’s a college nearby. But ask yourself this . do I want to 1) be close to Mommy & Daddy, 2) be as far away from Mommy & Daddy as possible, 3) like where I’m going to live for the next four years or 4) find a school that has the curricula I want AND cool surroundings? These are important things to consider! Keep in mind, homesickness usually subsides. (And thanks to your cell phone, computer or the US postal service – you can always call, click or carrier pigeon the mother ship.) If you choose to tour a campus . take the time to TOUR THE CITY, TOO. Figure out what’s best for you and then settle in. It’s called progress and it’s usually a good thing.

3) HELP ME HELP YOU!

Once you get to college, your little part of the world will suddenly go SUPERNOVA! You now have crazy-stupid freedom to do what you want . when you want. Uh, not so fast! Why set yourself up for potential failure? Maybe it’s best to find out your strengths and weaknesses now! Who better to point that out than your good friends? Do you have time management issues? Poor study-habits? Teen angst? These are things that need to be considered ahead of time. Is COLLEGE X going to help you or hinder you? And don’t come crying to me when you have a 4.0 G.P.A., but you’ve put on the dreaded Freshman 15!

4) ABC’s and WWW’s

The internet has been around for more than a decade! And, while you may have been in diapers when it started, you’ve probably learned a thing or two since then. When checking out colleges, USE THE INTERNET TO YOUR ADVANTAGE! Why rely on word of mouth from your sister’s friend’s boss’ nephew who went there to COLLEGE X in 1981? Now you can easily surf through class schedules, visit campuses via virtual tours, and get the dirt on your college of choice. And thanks to the web, you can check out endless lists of lists about which college boasts the best placement rate or has the most sororities. True story — I typed in “College Rankings” in my search engine and it came up with 58 million hits.

58 million.

It would seem a lot more high school students are doing a lot more research when it comes to picking colleges. So do your homework, so to speak. And start early. And keep researching. It’s kind of like the lottery . because you can’t win, if you don’t play.

Finally, you’ve made it to your senior year. Take a breath, sit back and relax. Think about all the years of hard work that have brought you to this moment.

Now get back to work.

Blowing-off senior year is not your reward for all those late-night study sessions, time invested in extra-curricular activities and practicing for the ACT’s. In fact, most college admissions representatives continue to follow student performance well into the second semester of the final year of high school to make sure their ready for the challenge of higher education. Letting senior year slide, even if you’ve already received your college acceptance letter, can come with serious repercussions.

Take the following quiz to see if you’ve got a case of senioritis.

1. Your classes this year include:
   1. AP and college-track courses. You’re even considering taking a class open to high school students at the college or university in your area.
   2. Mostly college-track courses with a few fluff courses. You know you’ll breeze through most of the year.
   3. The easiest course you could take to fulfill the requirements to graduate. You’ll have plenty of time to socialize throughout the many study halls you’ve signed up for.
2. After school, you’re busy:
   1. Volunteering at the local community center or practicing with the team. With all of your extra-curricular activities, it’s a wonder you’re able to maintain your grades.
   2. Trying to extra-curricular activities, schoolwork and friends.
   3. Figuring out how to convince your parents that staying out until midnight on a school night isn’t a big deal – you’re almost eighteen aren’t you?
3. When you picture your life after graduation, you see yourself:
   1. Attending a great college. After receiving so many acceptance letters, you feel confident the school you chose is a perfect fit. It should be, right? You worked your butt off to get here!
   2. Getting into school. You know you’ll get a great education. So what if it wasn’t your first choice?
   3. Happily experiencing the freedom of life after high school.
4. Becoming a senior means:
   1. It’s time to buckle-down and pull out all the stops. Now’s the time to prove you’ve got what it takes to succeed in the world of higher education.
   2. You’ve worked hard throughout high school, now you can finally relax a little. Maybe you’ll let a few extra-curricular activities slide.
   3. You’ve hit easy street. It’s time to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. You’ve only got one year left to enjoy being a kid and you’re going to make the most of it.
5. On average, you work around ___ hours a week at your after-school job.
   1. 0 – 10. With trying to balance schoolwork, family, friends, and extra-curricular activities you don’t have the time to work any more.
   2. 10 – 20. You’ve got a lot on your plate. If you worked anymore, your grades would suffer or you’d have to give up your extra-curricular activity.
   3. 20-40. You’ve got to pay for car insurance some how. So what if you have to sacrifice sleep or skim through Moby Dick instead of reading it?
6. On average, your grades are:
   1. Great. You’ve been working hard to maintain you’re A’s, and even harder to bring up your B’s.
   2. Fine. They’re about the same as always.
   3. Suffering. You’ve been busy concentrating on other things.
7. When you think about college life, you feel:
   1. Completely prepared and totally excited. You’re ready to conquer a new challenge.
   2. Good. You’re slightly anxious about such a huge change, but you’re ready to face the future.
   3. Terrified! How are you supposed to figure out college-life when you haven’t even figured out yourself?
8. You see AP courses as:
   1. A great opportunity to earn college credit while you’re still in high school.
   2. Classes you wish you had time and energy for.
   3. A waste of time. Who’s thinking about college credit now? You haven’t even graduated yet.
9. Your class attendance is:
   1. Great. Nothing could tear you away from that desk!
   2. Pretty good. There are just some classes you can get away with skipping.
   3. Enough to get by. You spend as little time in class as possible.
10. When your teacher assigns a big project you:
    1. Get started on research immediately. You want to do the best possible work in the time allowed. Plus, there’s nothing wrong with turning work in early.
    2. Do a little preliminary work and then scramble to complete it the night the before it’s due.
    3. Ask for an extension on the due-date. You forgot all about it.

Let’s review the results. If you got:

Mostly As
You’re on the right track! Senior year comes with a lot of responsibilities. Managing to balance school work, extra-curricular activities, friends, family and the pressure of knowing “the real world” is just a graduation ceremony away can be extremely difficult. You can breathe a little easier – the effort that you’re putting into your final year of high school proves to admissions representatives that you’re ready for the transition to higher education.

Mostly Bs
You’re doing a dangerous dance – one that has the potential to keep you from getting admitted to the school of your choice. The good news is that you haven’t completely slipped into the pitfalls of the senior slump. Even though you’ve let your performance slide, you still know that senior year is important. Step it up a notch by staying active in extra-curricular activities. Or, earn college credit by taking AP classes or by enrolling in your local community college. You’ve put your all into the first three years of high school; don’t let one misstep keep you from a future you’ve always dreamed about.

Mostly Cs
You’ve got a nasty case of senioritis. Allowing laziness to overshadow the performance of the rest of your high school career is dangerous. It can cause your admission to college to be revoked, or in extreme cases, keep you from crossing the stage with your peers. It’s time you asked yourself some tough questions. Is your future important to you? Is partying with your friends more important than your education? Senior year is the last phase of life before you enter “the real world” – does that scare you? Whatever your reason for falling into the slump, it’s time you moved on. Find a charitable organization to volunteer with, join the soccer team or find a study club. Do whatever it takes to stay active. You’re classmates are headed into the world of higher education, there’s still time for you to join them.