Learn campus jargon

As a first generation or low income college student, you might not be aware of the language of college specific to your campus. This language of college is campus jargon, and it is so important that you understand it to be successful as a student.

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Basically, campus jargon is the way class names are abbreviated, what course numbers mean, names for different requirements, acronyms for campus offices (and higher education loves its acronyms!), and other things specific to your school.

How important is knowing your campus jargon? Well, try to decode this sentence: "Do you want to meet at the DC to study for ENG 101?" It could mean "Do you want to meet at the Dining Commons to study for our advanced electrical engineering class," or ""Do you want to meet at the Diversity Center to study for our basic English composition class," or any other number of things. It all depends on your campus jargon.

Not knowing campus jargon is like being in a foreign country and not speaking a lick of the language. Sure, you might be able to muster up basic communication, but knowing the language makes things a ton easier.

You can go about learning campus jargon by reading the general catalog, reviewing the campus website, and talking to a campus advisor. Knowing this language of college is just one step in the right direction.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Get the most out of Twitter, part 2

I am a fan of Twitter for first generation and low income students, but honestly, I am not using Twitter to its full potential... Don't be me.

Start learning about Twitter now and make the most of it as a student so that later on you can rule your world with it. And while you're at it, you might as well follow @AskanAdvisorOrg, too. (Yeah, that was some not-so-subtle shameless self-promotion)

Our friends over at CollegeScholarships.org have put together a list of 15 Twitter hashtags every college student should know. Don't know what a hashtag is? No worries, learn about them here.

Oh, the possibilities... Happy tweeting. 

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Poor first semester grades and medical school

A reader writes:

"I just got my first semester grades today and I am really worried. I didn't do so well, like almost on academic probation but barely not. I'm pre-med and scared that I'll never get into medical school now. What should I do?"

I'm sorry to hear that you first semester didn't go as well as you would have liked. Unfortunately, this is a situation that a lot of first generation and low income college students find themselves in at the end of their first semester or quarter. I found myself in a similar boat after my first quarter in college, too.

But, don't fret, it's not the end of the world.  For medical school (or graduate or another professional school), one term of bad grades does not spell doom. When you experience bumps in the road like this, what a medical school is looking for is improvement the next semester or quarter.

So, don't worry too much about one less-than-desirable semester of grades. Instead, set you sights on how you can improve for the coming semester. Do you need to change your study habits, work on time management, or re-evaluate your commitments? Also, check out these tips for dealing with and preventing academic difficulty.

Taking these steps can help you put yourself in a better position for next semester. I'm wishing you a semester of academic achievement in the new year!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Intern at the White House!

Imagine how awesome it would be spending the summer doing research, learning about public service, and gaining valuable leadership experience in the White House. Well, it doesn't have to be a dream. You may be able to do just that by applying for the White House Internship.

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This exciting internship is open to:

• United States citizens
• At least 18 years of age on or before the first day of the internship
• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program OR graduated in the past two years from undergraduate or graduate program OR a veteran of the US Armed Forces who possesses a high school diploma or its equivalent and has served on active duty at any time over the past two years

 You can apply for an internship in different areas, including but not limited to:

• Chief of Staff
• Office of the First Lady
• Office of Management and Administration
• Energy and Climate Change
• Health Reform

If your eyebrow is raised and you think this could be the awesome internship  you are looking for, here are a few more tidbits of information about it:

• The summer internship term runs from May 31, 2011 – August 12, 2011 (If you go to a school on the quarter system, the FAQ page has some info for you!)
• The White House internship program is an unpaid program
• The White House internship program is a full-time program and Interns will be expected to work from approximately 9am-6pm, Monday-Friday
• A completed packet includes: two essays, a current resume, and three letters of recommendation

If you've got questions about this internship, check out their FAQ page for answers. If you think this is the right internship for you, you can apply online. Applications are due January 8, 2011 before 11:59pm Eastern time. Good luck!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Do you put first generation status on your resume?

A reader writes:

"Do you put first generation in college on your resume? And where does it go?"

The simple answer is no, being a first generation (and/or low income) college student does not belong on your resume. While it's awesome that you have first generation pride, this information is not for your resume.

However, this information might be fair game for your cover letter, but only if it's relevant to the job, graduate or professional school, internship, or scholarship that you are applying for. For example, if you're applying to be a front desk receptionist at a non-profit that serves a low-income community, it's probably a good idea to share your status. If you're applying to be a front desk receptionist in a dentist's office, you should probably not mention it.

Still not sure whether or not your first generation college student status is relevant? Think about it from the perspective of the person who will be reading your cover letter. If that person would care about it or it positively impacts your qualifications, then you might want to include it.

And if you are going to include it, make sure you tie in to the position. For example, taking the non-profit example from above, you could say something like "As a low-income, first generation college student, I really understand the needs of the community that your non-profit serves. This personal experience will strengthen my ability be provide a welcoming environment for clients."

Good luck with your resume and cover letter writing!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Take advantage of study abroad

I just got back from a sweet vacation in Japan, so this seems like a good time to talk about taking advantage of study abroad, which is an awesome opportunity to explore another country, experience a different culture, and earn some academic credit. Oh, and it's a chance of a lifetime!

A lot of first generation and low income college students mistakenly believe that they cannot afford to take advantage of study abroad or that it cannot fit into their academic plan. But don't be so sure!

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If you're worried about cost, chances are that if your college or university sponsors a study abroad program that your financial aid package can be used to cover the cost of study abroad. In fact, depending on what school you attend, study abroad might actually be less expensive than your home college! You can also include savings in your budget to help with the costs not covered by financial aid, if any.

If you're concerned that study abroad couldn't possibly fit into your academic plan, talk to an advisor at your college first. Study abroad programs come in summer, semester-, and year-long forms, so there is sure to be something worth your while.

Now is a great time to start researching programs for the summer or next year! I can say that not doing a study abroad program is the only regret I have about my college experience as a first generation and low income college student. Don't let that be you!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it. 

The Advisor is on vacation!

This means no new posts until December 22nd...

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While I'm out of town, enjoy a few of my favorite posts. Oh, oldies but goodies:

• Learning from lap dancers...
• Procrastination is like...
• 5 students advisors hate
• First generation & low income pride!

Maybe my travels will lead me to some wisdom to share with you when I get back... maybe it won't... You'll have to come back on December 22nd to find out!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

How to save money for the holiday season

As I drink spiced apple cider, deck my halls, and wrap gifts, I can't help thinking 'tis the season for gift-giving (and receiving, too). This can be a fun, exciting, and stressful time for many first generation and low income college students, especially if you are feeling pressured to give awesome gifts.

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No matter what holidays you may or may not be celebrating, these tips can help you save money for the holiday season while giving those awesome gifts: 

DIY. Consider making gifts yourself on the cheap, like baking cookies, burning CDs, or writing a poem. If there is something that you are good at, use your skill to make personalized gifts.  

Plan for next year. Get a jump start on your holiday shopping for next year by hitting up the after-Christmas sales for some great deals. This is also a great option if you celebrate Kwanzaa. 

Opt out. You can always play the "poor starving college student" card and just not give any gifts. Most people will be understanding of this.

My apologies that these tips are too late for Hanukkah this year, but I'm sure these will be useful tips if you are giving anyone else gifts. You can also get more money-saving tips from our friends over at CollegesSholarships.org and their post 10 ways students can save money this Christmas.

No matter what you decide to do, make sure you stick to a budget, avoiding getting yourself into credit card debt, and have fun. Happy holiday!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Don't answer your phone in class!

Today I was volunteering with a non-profit organization and calling first generation and low income college students about an upcoming event. Maybe 30 seconds into one call, the student casually mentions that he is in class... um, seriously? Did he really answer his phone in class?

I would think this goes without saying, but apparently it does not... Do NOT answer your cell phone while you're in class. Just don't do it!!! Answering your phone in class is worthy of being on the things professors hate list. Don't let this be you:



If you think it's an emergency and need to answer, leave class first and call the number back. Remember, you have voicemail for a reason!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Mentorship opportunity for immigrant students

I am a huge fan of mentorship for first generation and low income college students, both being a mentor and having a mentor. There is so much to be gained from sharing your lived experience and guidance with someone else that is ridiculously rewarding for everyone involved.

So for all the immigrant students (including undocumented students) out there, here is an exciting opportunity to be mentor to another immigrant student or be mentored by one, brought to you by Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC):

E4FC’s National Mentor Network provides immigrant students opportunities to share their experiences, offer guidance, and support one another. The National Mentor Network is open to immigrant students nationwide.

Photo credit: http://e4fc.org/home.html

One of the main challenges facing college-bound immigrant students is finding other students who can answer questions and give guidance. Resources and guides cannot replace the power and inspiration of meeting other immigrant students who, in the face of overwhelming challenges, are also pursuing college. The goal of our National Mentor Network is to help immigrant students build a safe, supportive, and informed community.

To be a mentor or be mentored through E4FC’s National Mentor Network, all you have to do is fill out a brief, anonymous profile questionnaire, get an email confirmation, and wait for a follow-up phone call. That's it!

If you have any questions about this mentorship opportunity, please contact Jose Arreola, the E4FC Student Outreach Coordinator. Happy mentoring!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

3 tips for surviving finals

The end of the semester or quarter is here, and that means that finals are here for all the first generation and low income college students out there.

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Here are 3 tips to help you survive and thrive during finals week: 

Get your grub on. Eating right sets you and your body up for a great finals week, so make sure to stick with fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins like chicken breast or tofu. Check out MIT Medical's handy list of brain food for exams to help you make healthy choices.

Hydrate yourself. You will feel much better if you drink plenty of water. If you want something other than water, choose juice instead of tea or soda. Also, avoid coffee and alcohol. Yeah, I said no coffee... stick to decaf if you just like the taste. see the next tip if you're unconvinced...

Hit the hay. One of the best ways you can keep yourself at your best is to get some sleep. This means no all-nighters and take a nap every now and then.

These tips will help keep you healthy, alert, and ready for the week so that you can have a great week of academic achievement.

Oh, and while you're at it, here are a few other blogs and shameless self promotion with other pieces of wisdom to help you have a successful finals week:

• Hack College: Survive your finals hell weeks
• Grades Blog: How to get through finals
• Ask an Advisor: 6 steps to get ready for a test
• Ask an Advisor: Just say no to cramming
• Ask an Advisor: Dealing with stress
• Ask an Advisor: Boosting your self-esteem
• Ask an Advisor: More ways to boost your self-esteem

Good luck on finals!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Using to-do lists

Getting everything done when you need to finish a bunch of stuff can seem crazy for some first generation or low income college students. It can even feel downright overwhelming as finals are fast approaching.

But one of the easiest ways you can juggle all that you need to juggle is to keep track of it all by using to-do lists. A good to-do list will help you figure out your priorities, keep track of what you've accomplished, and help you plan out your day.

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When making a to-to list, here are a few pointers to keep in mind:

Be specific. Provide yourself with details, like instead of saying "Go to office hours" put down "Go to Psych 101 office hours to ask questions about midterm" on your to-do list. Do yourself a favor by laying it out.

Break down larger tasks in smaller steps. For the big tasks you have on your plate, always think of them as a bunch of little tasks. "Write 10-page research paper" is easier when you break it down to "Write 1-page intro," "Research sources at library," "Write 8-page body," "Write 1-page conclusion," and "Finish reference page." Things will be less scary if you take it one step at a time.

Prioritize tasks and set deadlines. Make sure you know what is most important, when it needs to be finished, and plan to get that done first. You can use numbers, ranks, pluses and minuses, smiley faces, or whatever to note what you need to accomplish first. This is definitely where paying attention to details will come in handy.

If you really want to write a killer to-do list, check out 43 Folders' Building a smarter to-do list. As you craft your to-do lists, have a productive day of academic achievement.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

The difference between a B.A. and a B.S.

When it comes to choosing your major, or even a specialty area within a major, one question that comes up often is "What is the difference between a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree?"

This is a top question for first generation college students because there's no one in your family to answer the question for you. In general, a lot of college students wonder about this, too. So, what is the difference?

Generally speaking, a B.A. is a liberal arts degree, which is supposed to be more of a broad degree to make you a well-rounded student with some expertise in one area. A lot of the time, this usually requires significant general coursework outside of your major, study of a foreign language, and a lot of classes in the "arts." Here, the "arts"  an mean academic areas such as social science, humanities, music, or fine arts. Think lots of discussion, reading, and paper-writing.

In contrast, a B.S. tends to be geared toward a strong science foundation with specific knowledge in a scientific discipline. This usually means most of your coursework will be science classes in academic areas such as life sciences, physical sciences, engineering, or math. Think lots of analysis, lab work, and hands-on activities.

These are the two most basic Bachelor's degrees out there, However, in addition to the B.A. and B.S. degrees, you might also see these:

• B.F.A. - Bachelor of Fine Arts
• B.S.N. - Bachelor of Science Nursing
• B.S.B.A. - Bachelor of Science Business Administration
• B.Ed. - Bachelor of Education
• B.Eng. or B.E. - Bachelor of Engineering
• B.Mus. - Bachelor of Music

And there are other types of Bachelor's degrees out there. Basically, beyond the B.A. and B.S., another type of Bachelor's degree is going to be based on the specific area of study.

Also, some schools will offer the same major under more than one type of degree. For example, students at my alma mater can be a math major and earn either a B.A. or B.S. Typically a student who wanted to teach K-12 math would work toward a B.A. and a student who wanted to be a mathematician or college math professor would be earning a B.S.

Any way you cut it, the Bachelor's degree is what you will be spending four years working toward.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Grieving losses

A reader recently asked about getting an extension for an assignment after the death of a family member.Sadly, death of a friend or loved one is probably something you will have to face as a college student.

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 In my own experience, a friend of mine was killed in a car accident just a week before we graduated. I've had students of mine lose sisters, brothers, parents, and family pets. And not just deaths have a devastating effect; I've also advised students that got life-altering news like having cancer or lupus.

I don't mean to dwell on the negative, but when tragedies like these creep up on you it is so very important to take the time to grieve your loss. Our friends over at College Thrive wrote about dealing with grief as a college student earlier this week, so check it out.

And in the words of Jerry Springer, "Take care of yourselves and each other."

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Is it too late to get involved on campus?

A reader writes:

"I'm a sophomore and I think I made the mistake of not joining any clubs yet. I was just wondering if it makes any sense for me to join a club next semester. Do people generally just join all their clubs freshman year or is there still time for me?" 

Yes, yes, yes, it absolutely makes sense to join clubs next semester. Joining a club or other student organization is a great move for many first generation or low income college students to get involved on campus. And it is never too late to get involved on campus!

Generally speaking, most clubs and student organizations will always be welcoming to new members year-round and there is no perfect timeline to join. I'd say the only exceptions are fraternity and sororities, which tend to have specific times to join (known as "rush") or freshmen-only groups like a support group.

Also, most college students join (and leave) clubs throughout their time in college, not just during their first year. As your interests or goals change, chances are the clubs you want to join will also change. Don't feel like you have to figure it all out now. Feel free to explore different clubs before you commit. Have fun getting involved!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Do I have a right to get an extension?

A reader writes:

"I have a 10 page paper due for my composition class this Friday. I planned to work on it over Thanksgiving and the weekend, but my grandfather passed away this morning. My family knew he had a few days to live, so all week I have not been able to focus on writing my paper. 

Because my grandfather passed away, do I have a right to ask my professor if I can have a day or two of extended time to hand in my paper? Or will I not have any rights in asking that?"

I'm sorry that you lost your grandfather. I know it is difficult losing someone in your family.

Now, do you have a right to an extension? As a first generation or low income college student, it is important to know your rights and responsibilities as a college student. In this case, it will probably depend on the individual professor as well as the rules and regulations at your school. Chances are you can absolutely ask for an extension, but it is totally up to the professor whether or not you are granted an extension.

But if you don't ask, you won't get it. There is no harm in asking for an extension, you probably just don't have an express right to be given one. So be prepared not to be given an extension and take the consequences of that like an adult.

Also, if you are having an understandably difficult time concentrating after the death of a loved one, I would suggest visiting the counseling center at your college. This has two main advantages. One, you can get some support to help you grieve this loss. Two, It can help your case when asking for that extension.

One more caution, be aware that having a grandparent die is one of the most common lies that college students tell professors when asking for an extension. It boils down to being prepared to prove you did in fact lose a grandparent. Harsh, but sometimes required because of all the liars and cheaters that came before you. Good luck.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

The Advisor says "Thank you!"

Happy Thanksgiving!!!! As you say thank you to those that helped you get to where you are today, I would like to give a big, heartfelt thank you for reading Ask an Advisor.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!!!

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Have a happy Thanksgiving. And if you don't celebrate Thanksgiving, have a lovely weekend. See you all on Monday.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Say "Thank you"

If you are a first generation or low income college student in the United States, chances are you are celebrating Thanksgiving this week. During this time when you sit around thinking of all the ways you are lucky and giving thanks for those things, don't forget about the people that helped you get to where you are today.

I encourage you to use this holiday to reflect on your journey to become a college student and thank the people who were influential in that process. Like, actually thank them. Yes, I mean tell them "Thank you!" for helping you make it to college.

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Tell your friends and family, the high school guidance counselor or community member that believed in you, your mentor, or whoever it is. Just tell them.

Maybe you're an "actions speak louder than words" kinda person. So do something nice for the folks that helped you get to where you are. Offer to babysit for them, take them out for lunch, or bake them a cake. Show them how grateful you are for their support.

You can also spread the holiday spirit by giving back and volunteering for Thanksgiving-based projects, like food drives or soup kitchens.

So, say "Thank you" to someone important in your path to college and enjoy your Thanksgiving.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

The turkey dump

Whether or not you celebrate Thanksgiving, there is a phenomenon in college known as the turkey dump. This is when first-year students return home around Thanksgiving and break up with their high school sweethearts.

Photo credit: from www.turkeydump.com

How common is it? Um, common enough to have a website dedicated to it... Seriously, I have no idea, but I have had a good number of students experience the dreaded turkey dump. It happens, hopefully not to you.  

What can you do if you are the turkey dumpee?

Dealing with the end of any relationship is hard, so I'm not going to lie and say it's not. It sucks. A lot. But thinking rational thoughts, accepting that it's over, and relying on your support network of family and friends can make help make it suck less.

This means when you think irrational things like "No one will ever want me ever again," stop yourself right there. Try to inject rationality into your thinking. Remind yourself that yes it hurts now, but you will heal. Next, you must accept that your relationship is over. Think of your new single status as a fresh opportunity to make new connections, and your family and friends can be a part of helping you make those connections.

What can you do if you are the turkey dumper?

Hopefully, you haven't reached the decision to end your relationship lightly. Although you tend to get the bad rap because you are the dumper, you still need support. If people try to make you feel bad for your choice, let them know it wasn't an easy choice for you (and even if it was, it will make you less of a douche to show some vulnerability).

Hopefully you survive the Thanksgiving weekend with your long-distance relationship in tact.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Scholarship opportunity for Chicano/Latino students!

Here is a great scholarship opportunity for all my Chicano/Latino first generation and low income college students out there:

The Hispanic College Fund announces the opening of its scholarship applications! Applications will be available online from Nov. 15, 2010 to March 1, 2011 at www.scholarships.hispanicfund.org. Scholarships range from $500 to $10,000 and will be awarded for the 2011-2012 academic year.

To be eligible to apply, students must fulfill the following requirements:

• Be of Hispanic background 
• Maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average (on a 4.0 scale)
• Have graduated from high school in the U.S. after attending at least 3 years 
• Reside in the U.S. or Puerto Rico (This includes undocumented students also!)
• Plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate, and in some cases graduate, program for the 2011-2012 academic year at an accredited college or university in the U.S. or Puerto Rico
• Demonstrate financial need 
• And some scholarship programs may have additional eligibility requirements, too

 If you have any questions about this scholarship opportunity, please contact Monica Raugitinane or visit the The Hispanic College Fund website.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

You deserve to be here

It looks like I've been an on a self-esteem boosting mission lately... And I guess I just can't stop yet. One thing related to positive self-esteem is reducing self-doubt... Self-doubt sucks and makes you feel like you suck.

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Unfortunately, self-doubt is common among first generation and low income college students when they get to thinking that maybe, just maybe, they don't belong in college or somehow they don't deserve to be in college student.

But don't doubt yourself! Just because you might be dealing with academic difficulty, feeling pressure from your family to succeed, or something else, never, ever, EVER doubt that you absolutely deserve to be in college.

So, this is just another reminder of just how awesome you are. And don't you doubt that!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

How to deal with professors who hate you

Apparently, a handful of folks have found Ask an Advisor by searching "how to deal with professors who hate you" and landing on the things professors hate post... Well, your need has not gone unnoticed, so let's talk about how to deal with professors who hate you.

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This can be a sinking feeling that you suspect your professor doesn't like you all the way to a professor being openly hostile toward you. Whatever your situation, these 7 tips can help you deal with a professor that hates you:

Talk it out. Don't assume that a professor hates you. If you really want to know, take the adult route and ask the professor about it during office hours. It'll be kind of like asking a professor for feedback...

Behave yourself. When someone is giving you grief, don't give them a reason to lash out at you by always being on your best behavior. A model student is much harder for a professor (even a mean, evil one) to hassle.

Make friends. Collaborate with other students in your class on projects and assignments (without cheating, of course!). Other students that your professor doesn't also hate, that is. It can come in handy to have students on the professor's good side on your side, too.

Tell someone else. If your professor is really hostile, consider telling a trusted advisor, another faculty member, or someone in the dean's office. Sharing your side of the story is a good way to protect yourself.

Document everything. Keep any notes, emails, and returned assignments and make a log of incidents. You need to have evidence of the professor's evil deeds.

Empower yourself. This is the perfect time to figure out what your rights and responsibilities are concerning professor conduct and what your next steps should be.

Take it to the next level. If all of the above steps don't help you deal with that evil professor, follow the process outlined in your research of your rights and responsibilities. This is the most extreme step you can take, so be very sure about it and have a support system in place to help you through it.

Hopefully, you never have to deal with a professor who hates you... But if you do, now you know what to do about it.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Just say no to cheating

When I worked at my alma mater as an advisor, I had a first generation college student who was almost kicked out of college for plagiarism when he choose to copy and paste part of a paper from the internet.

Unfortunately, I know this student is not the only one to resort to cheating in college. I knew a few folks who would cheat on tests by copying off of other students without their knowledge. I once knew someone who let her boyfriend take a midterm for her. No matter how it is done, cheating is cheating.

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People are even out there making money off of cheating college students. I recently read a confessional from a guy who writes college papers for others for a living. And he's not the only one out there. I also found this guy and an interview he did. Scary stuff, but sadly not surprising...

So what does this all mean? Easy, cheating is bad. You can avoid getting to the point of even considering cheating by sticking to a plan and dealing with stress as things happen.

Remember, ignorance is never a defense for cheating; it is your responsibility to make sure your academic work has integrity. Just say know to cheating!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Get the most out of Twitter

Chances are you know what the social media tool Twitter is. If you don't know about it, this is a great slide show on using Twitter, even the advanced stuff. Either way, the real question is are you using Twitter to its full potential?

As a first generation or low income college student, Twitter can help you make new connections, build your network, and keep in touch with friends and family. But as a college student, there is so much more that you can gain from it. Here are 5 ways you can get the most bang out of Twitter:

Follow your college. A lot of colleges are on Twitter and you can get updates much faster than from other sources. This can keep you up to date on events, meetings, and announcements.Our friends at CollegeScholarships.org agree that you should follow your college.

Be in two places at once. When there's a conference or event you can't attend, follow its tweets to stay in the know. Following live updates is the next best thing to being there, almost like being two place at once.

Feel like an insider. Some stores and businesses offer special offers to their Twitter followers only. You can get the insider scoop just by following the tweets of your favorite places.

Rule the classroom. Twitter can be great in the college classroom, so incorporating it into projects or presentations can give you an edge over students shying away from it.

Socially acceptable shameless self-promotion. Got information, an idea, or a point of view you want to share? Twitter can help you do it, and nobody will think you're full of yourself. (And while we're talking about shameless self-promotion, you might as well follow Ask an Advisor, too!)

So there you have it. Now go out there and use Twitter to your advantage as a college student!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Know your rights and responsibilities

As a first generation or low income college student, it is very important to understand your rights and responsibilities as a student at your college. Generally speaking, every school is going to have some rules or regulations students are expected to stick by.

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These rules can be called a code of conduct, honor code, list of expectations, or another name specific to your campus. Either way, these standards are in place to make your college a safe place and learning space for all students, staff, faculty, and community members.

Along with the rules, come your rights and responsibilities as a student. Chances are you know your Miranda Rights better than your rights as a student. To learn the rules and your rights and responsibilities, review your school's general catalog, go to the judicial affairs or conduct office, or speak to an advisor.

As a college student, you should be honest, behave yourself inside and outside of the classroom, and have integrity concerning your academic work. Basically, don't lie, cheat, steal, make stuff up, or otherwise break the rules. In fact, don't even think about breaking the rules.

It is ALWAYS better to know your rights and responsibilities beforehand rather then trying to figure them out once things are going wrong. Ignorance is never a defense for behaving badly.

Knowing your rights and responsibilities is your best bet to protect yourself, so empower yourself with knowledge!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Resources for Veterans

November 11th is Veterans' Day, a day meant to honor the men and women who have served in the armed forces. And a fair number of first generation and low income college students are veterans.

People tend to have strong feelings--both positive and negative--about military service and college campuses are no different. Even so, chances are that your campus has some resources specifically for veterans and, in some cases, children of veterans who where killed or disabled during their service.

If you are a veteran or are receiving benefits because a parent was a veteran, look out for a veterans services office or a Veterans' Upward Bound program. If your campus doesn't have these types of services, sometimes a reentry student services office will have some good resources for veterans as well.

The financial aid office should be able to help you navigate your GI Bill benefits or other benefits you might be getting and how that plays into your overall financial aid package.

Some campuses even have support groups for students who are veterans. Even if your campus doesn't, you might be able to start one.

Lastly, if your campus offers an ROTC program, you might be able to learn about additional resources for veterans from the ROTC staff.

With these resources for veterans you can be a successful student, too!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Beware of campus myths

Every campus has its own culture, and along with that comes stories and traditions. As a first generation or low income college student you have to navigate this. Another part of this culture may be a set of myths unique to your college.

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In the movie Dead Man on Campus students believe they get straight A's if their roommate commits suicide, and this type of myth exists on lots of campuses. The Curve has a variation on this myth as well.

As an example from my own experience, a lot of students at my alma mater believed that if they had more than two finals on the same day that their professors had to change one of the test times. This is a complete myth, and as an advisor I had to break it to students on several occasions.

I'm sure every campus has its fair share of these sorts of myths and urban legends floating around. So how do you know what is fact from fiction? Easy, you ask a trustworthy source like an advisor. Also, double check any rules and regulations in question in your school's general catalog.

Just because everyone things something is true doesn't make it so. Remember, don't believe everything you hear in college.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

More ways to boost your self-esteem

After yesterday's rousing post on 3 quick ways to boost your self-esteem, I thought about a few more ways to help make you feel like the awesome person you are as a first generation or low income college student...

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Here are a few more self-esteem boosters that I used as a student:

Just smile. You might not always feel like smiling, but just the act of smiling will make you feel better. Try it in the mirror and notice how your face lights up when you smile. When you look at other people, flash them a smile and feel their positive vibes come back to you.

Look good. Take the time to really put yourself together. Take a long shower, wear your favorite outfit that you look great in, style your hair, or whatever you need to do to gussy yourself up. When you look good, you feel good. (This is a great boost especially for midterm days)

Walk tall. When you're out and about, strut your stuff by standing up straight, walking with your shoulders back and head up. This is the walk of a confident person and people will respond to you as such.

Just like I said yesterday, you are awesome. And don't you forget it!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Boosting your self-esteem

Sometimes the pressures of college for can make you doubt how awesome you are, and this can take its toll on your self-esteem as a first generation or low income college student.

When you feel good about yourself, you tend to be more productive, accomplish your goals, do well academically, and have happier relationships. Having a positive self-image and high self-esteem are vital to your success in college.

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With all the good stuff that comes with feeling good about yourself, here are 3 quick tips to help you boost your self-esteem in a hurry: 

Walk down memory lane. Think about a time when you felt great about yourself and what was going on at that time. Try to recreate some of it to relive those good feelings. 

Talk to yourself. Instead of being your own worst enemy, practice positive self-talk. Tell yourself that you are awesome and affirm all the things you like about yourself.

Get relaxed. Put aside some time to deal with your stress and focus on chilling out. Its easier to focus on staying positive and feeling good about yourself when you are not stressed out.

Remember, you are awesome. I hope these tips help you remember that!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

No more weekend upddates

This is just a quick update to let you know that The Advisor will not be posting on weekends anymore. But why, you ask?

Well, I decided to stop it with the weekend posts because, let's face it, most first generation or low income college students would rather spend their precious weekend time doing something other than reading this blog... and I don't blame you. In fact, I intend to join you in dedicating my weekends to non-Advisor pursuits.

You can still expect awesome content Monday through Friday and you can still ask questions on weekends. I just won't answer them until the workweek rolls around. So now, enjoy the rest of your week!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Win $100,000 to give back!

Wow, I just learned about an opportunity from The Life Improvement Project to win $100,000 to spend a year doing a community service project.

You can enter the contest here. Submissions are due by November 8, 2010 so you don't have a lot of time to get your 2,000 word essay and budget together, but you can do it!

Hopefully you are out there getting involved in your community by giving back and this opportunity might help out. Good luck!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Giving back

As a first generation or low income college student, chances are that your life has been touched by others who helped you get to where you are. This probably came in the form of those folks giving back in some way, like volunteering at a community organization or doing service work.

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I encourage you to do something similar and give back in some way. Try getting involved with a campus- or community-based organization that does service work. Ask about volunteering opportunities with organizations you are familiar with.

If your college has a community service office, visit them for some ideas. Check out Idealist.org to search for all kinds of opportunities and get involved. There are some pretty sweet benefits of doing community service:

• You feel good about giving back while you are helping others
• Volunteer work is totally fair game to go on your resume, so it can be a boost to your career goals after college
• Through your community service, you can make valuable connections who can help you get a job later on and build your professional network
• It might give you the chance to find a mentor or be one to someone else

Volunteering is awesome, for you and for the folks that you help. I hope you get out there and give back!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

The Advisor's reading list

There is a lot of stuff out here in the blogosphere and it can be difficult to comb through. Most of it does not have first generation or low income college students in mind, but can still be useful.

That being said, I have found a few other blogs that I regularly visit and I'd like to share those with you! So here a few of the blogs that I read on a regular basis:

College
The College Survival Handbook
Finding Wood
College Thrive

Career
Ask a Manager
IttyBiz

Blogging
ProBlogger

Mental Health
The Emotion Machine

Take a look. I hope that you can get some good information, insight, or just a good laugh out of these blogs. I know I do...

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Dealing with stress

Do you find yourself suffering from memory slips, tense muscles, feeling tired, headaches, or trouble sleeping? These are just a few minor symptoms of stress, and let’s face it: college can be stressful, especially for first generation or low income college students.

The many stresses of college can influence your academic performance, social lives, and personal relationships. So, how do you deal with stress? Here are 8 tips to help you deal with stress:

Get to the source. Most people deal with the symptoms of stress and not the source. Ask yourself why you are having an emotional reaction. Once the source is identified, you can eliminate, bypass, or alter the stressor.

Practice energy conservation. Do what you can and don’t worry about the rest. Don’t do someone else’s work unless asked for assistance. Learn to work smarter, not harder. Don’t take on more than you can handle. Unfinished tasks are very stressful. Set reasonable goals.

Reward yourself. Do an easy task if you need a stroke of achievement. Allow yourself a small reward for a job well done. Being motivated is less stressful than depending on someone else for positive strokes.

Have a support base. Find someone with whom you can mutually share thoughts and feelings. Talk is good medicine for stress.

Develop a winner's attitude. Be positive about yourself and your choices. If something turns you sour, think about it and accept the results. Positive thoughts are not destructive to your mind and body. Negative thoughts promote illness.

Practice good time management. There are only 24 hours in a day—no more, no less. Work smarter, not longer.

Take care of yourself. Eat properly, exercise, and get enough sleep. You cannot cope with stress if you are unhealthy.

Learn to relax. Set aside special time each day just to relax. Whether it be 5 minutes or a few hours—try to relax!

For some easy-to-do ideas about ways to reduce stress, check out 50 ways to reduce stress in 5 minutes or less from our friend over at the Emotion Machine.

Remember, stress can take its toll in many areas of your life—and learning to deal with stress effectively promotes physical and psychological health and improves academic performance.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

How many classes should I take?

A reader writes:

I work 24 hours a week and am in 2 organizations on campus. I need to be a full-time student for a scholarship of mine and financial aid. My question is how do I figure out the number of credits I should take each semester?

I am all about recommending balance for first generation or low income college students, but finding that balance in your academic life can be difficult sometimes. There is no magic number out there for how many classes you should take because it will depend on you as an individual. However, the Carnegie rule can help.

The Carnegie rule is that for every hour of in-class time, you should expect to spend at least 3 hours of out-of-class time preparing and studying for the class. For example, if you have a class 4 hours a week, you should plan on spending an additional 12 hours a week doing stuff for that one class. Use this as a guide to consider how many classes you can manage.

After the Carnegie rule, it boils down to knowing your requirements. First things first, you need to know exactly how many credits are required for things like full-time student status, financial aid eligibility, and other requirements. These requirements, which vary widely from campus to campus, will set the minimum number of credits you have to take.

Beyond the required number of credits, you also need to figure out what specific required classes you have to take. What classes are required for your major, general education, or other campus-specific requirements? Is there a specific progression of classes or prerequisite classes that you have to take?

Generally speaking, your best bet is to start off the academic year with the minimum number of credits. If you find this minimum load manageable, add a class and see how it feels. It will be all about trial and error.

After you've figured out how many credits you have to take and what classes you need to take, also think about how those will balance with each other. For example, try not to take too many writing-intensive or laboratory classes at the same time, unless they are in your major.

Regardless of what you do, I highly, highly, highly recommend talking to a campus advisor or checking out your school's catalog for more information. Good luck!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Feeling SAD?

Now that November is here, the colder weather, rainy days, and absence of sunlight is here, too. If you think the weather sucks like many first generation or low income college students do, you might lack the motivation to tackle everyday activities. Midterms, papers, and even just going to class can seem unbearable.

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If this sounds like you and the winter weather has you feeling down in the dumps, it could be more than just feeling a little under the weather. It could be Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. I've dealt with a few students that didn't even know this was why they hated winter...

SAD, also called winter depression or seasonal depression, is a form of depression that comes about as the seasons change, probably related to the amount of available daylight (or lack thereof). About six percent of people in the US suffer from SAD, with another 10 to 20 percent experiencing a milder form of seasonal depression.

Symptoms of SAD include trouble sleeping, changes in eating habits, lack of energy, irritability, a lack of interest in activities that were previously enjoyable, unexplained physical aches and pains, and ongoing feelings of guilt and hopelessness. You know it's SAD when these symptoms occur to such a degree that they mess with your everyday life.

For people with SAD, these symptoms typically begin around age 20 and usually return every year around the same time. It is also more common in women than in men and usually affects people in the fall and winter. Folks with SAD tend to feel better during the spring and summer.

If you think you or someone you know might have SAD, please, please, please seek out help. Your campus might have resources or you may find them out in your community. Where ever they are, just use your resources so that you can feel above the weather instead of under it. Bundle up and feel better!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Happy Halloween!

I'm a fan of Halloween because I love dressing up. Even when I was a low income college student, I would always dress up and go to class in costume. Instead of buying a costume, it can be quite economical (and fun!) to create your own. Plus, people will applaud your creativity.

Need some inspiration? Check out our friends at College Scholarships for 50 Halloween costume ideas for a broke student.

Here I am as Dr. Miranda Bailey from Grey's Anatomy:

This costume cost me only $4 dollars total at a thrift store, $2.50 for the scrubs and $1.50 for the "lab coat," which is just a man's dress shirt. I safety pinned a homemade name badge on and carried around a folder I already had as a "chart" for added impact. This costume was a big hit in 2006.

The Advisor wishes you a fun and safe Halloween!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

The role of advisors

Today, I read a blog post on Grades Blog about meeting your advisor with such gems like advisors "generally can’t accurately tell you how hard a class is" and "often unwittingly give you an inaccurate idea of how tough classes are."

As I read the post, I actually felt insulted as an advisor. And then it hit me why I was offended by it: This thinking assumes that advisors are there to tell you what to do and dole out definitive answers.

Newsflash, advisors are not there to give you the answers! Advisors are there as guides and resources to help you navigate college on your own with a little support as needed.

You know the phrase, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink," right? Well, college students are the horses (sorry,,,) and advisors are supposed to give students the information and resources they need to find the water and make the decision for themselves to drink the water or not.

Also, view our advice with a little healthy skepticism because although advisors are professional know-it-alls, that doesn't mean we actually know it all.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Setting a budget

I realized that my recent post about getting out of credit card debt isn't that useful to someone who doesn't have a budget. I'll admit that when I was a student I didn't stick to a budget for most of my time in college... and that got me into trouble a couple of times with late charges, overdraft fees, and bounced checks.

In the hopes that you out there don't find yourselves in the same types of messes I did, here are some tips to setting a budget as a first generation or low income college student:

Do your research. Before you can set a budget, you have to understand your spending habits. To figure this out, save receipts for everything you buy for a week and estimate how much you spend in a month. Collect as many bank receipts and credit card statements as you can and look them over to see how much you are spending each month.

Where's it coming from? Think about all the money you have coming in like grants, jobs, gifts, financial aid, and scholarships. Also, consider how reliable your sources of income are and how often they come in. When you're making a monthly budget, but you only get financial aid once a semester, divide the total amount by the number of months in the semester.

Categorize things. Be realistic as you consider all of the types of things you spend your money on and group them into categories, like rent, utilities, car expenses, clothes, savings, groceries, donations, books, and so forth. Make sure you are specific and include a rainy day or "other" budget for the unexpected.

Document the plan. With your categories, decide how much you can spend on that item each month, using your research above as a guide and making adjustments when you are spending too much. It can be very handy to note this in a spreadsheet like the one below. As you spend money, update your spreadsheet.

Destroy the evidence. Keep good notes about your expenses, but shred any documents and receipts with your information on it. You don't want to be a victim of identity theft, now do you?

Be flexible. Leave yourself some wiggle room to adjust your budget month to month, especially if things change like you start working less hours or earn a new scholarship. Make sure you plan for special events, gifts, and holidays, as they come up.

Here are a few online resources to help with your budget setting:

• www.practicalmoneyskills.com
• www.bankrate.com (to calculate credit card payments)
• www.youngmoney.com/money_management/budgeting
• www.dacomp.com/budget1.html

Managing your money with a budget is your first step to financial peace of mind. Good luck.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Just say no to cramming

Tons of first generation and low income college students attempt to study by cramming and pulling all-nighters. Um, both of these are really, really bad ideas.

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CRAMMING DOES NOT WORK! The main reason that cramming and all-night study sessions don't work is that you're not giving your brain the time it needs to process the information you're trying to remember. Cramming only commits information to your short-term memory.

If you're at the point of cramming as a study method, you're already starting from behind. Might this be due to a little procrastination? Following a regular study plan is a much better way to go to have a great day of academic achievement.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it. 

Dealing with credit card debt

I think credit cards are the devil, but some of us don't figure this out until it is too late. Credit card offers are sexy and can easily seduce many first generation or low income college students. This can leave folks with piles of credit card debt.

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But instead of drowning in seemingly endless debt, these 6 tips can help you manage your current debt credit card debt:

Plan ahead. Before you make a purchase with a credit card, plan out how you are going to pay it back. Know how much you can afford to put towards the bill each month and factor in your interest rate. A bonus of thinking ahead is that it tends to fend off unnecessary impulse purchases so that you only borrow as much as you need.

Don't be a minimalist. If possible, pay your credit card bill in full each month. If that's out of the question, pay more than the minimum payment each month. These smart movee can save you hundreds--or even thousands--in interest.

Put it together. If possible, consider consolidating credit cards or transferring balances to a card with a lower interest rate.

Ask for it. Call your credit card company and ask them to lower your interest rate. A lot of people don't realize that it's completely fair game to ask this. You don't get what you don't ask for and the worst they can say is no.

One step at a time. You want to pay off debt as soon as possible, but always start by paying off debts with the highest interest rate first.

Pay it forward. Once you pay off one debt, apply that payment to next highest interest rate debt. And once you pay off all your credit card debt, put the money you are already used to paying toward credit cards into a savings account.

These steps are easy said than done, but can make all the difference in getting out of credit card debt. Even better, once your debt is paid off keeping up with these steps will help prevent future debt!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.