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.

Photo credit: http://financewand.com/

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.

The Dream Act

A dear friend of mine shared this article about undocumented college students. It's on the long side, but worth the read. In addition to the usual issues faced by first generation and low income college students, undocumented college students also face a number of other well-founded fears, including deportation.

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, better known as the DREAM Act, offers a glimmer of hope to future undocumented students by providing a path to citizenship. For current students, only a handful of states offer options.

Photo credit: http://www.longislandwins.com

If you are an undocumented college student or care about someone who is, here are a few resources:

• Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
• National Council of La Raza Resource Guide
• Financial Aid and Scholarships for Undocumented Students
• National Immigration Law Center

Only reveal your undocumented status to trusted advisors and don't be afraid to get involved in the movement to make the DREAM Act a reality.

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

Quiz time

I'm curious to know how many folks out there were or are first generation and low income college students, both, or neither, so please take the quick poll in the sidebar to your right.

Only awesome people will take this poll, so thanks in advance you awesome people!

(And if you were expecting some study tips instead, check out 6 steps to get ready for a test.)

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

Dealing with socioeconomic class differences

After yesterday's rousing post on a fight I had with an ex, also known as a conflict over socioeconomic class differences, let's talk about what to do if your end up in a similar situation.

Photo credit: http://drivenleaders.com

Okay, so you probably won't fight with a partner about the SATs, but chances are that as a first generation or low income college student you will face some sort of adversity based on socioeconomic status... If you find yourself in a conflict over socioeconomic class differences, here are 5 tips to manage the conflict:

Take a step back. Instead of assuming the worst, think about your own preconceptions and perceptions about socioeconomic class differences. Don't assume that your way of thinking is the correct way or that there is only one way to think about it.

Keep your cool. Although it can feel like a personal attack on you, your family, and community, don't take it personally. Try to stay objective and keep your feelings out of it. And no name calling.

Listen with openness. As you talk through the conflict, stop thinking about your counter-argument and actually listen. Just because you think you disagree doesn't mean that you actually disagree.

Look for common ground. Try to think about it from another perspective and see if there is something you can empathize with. Think of it as an opportunity to improve your own understanding and self-knowledge.

Make peace with it. A conflict over socioeconomic class differences isn't going to be solved in one conversation. Think about next steps and work together to agree on something, even if that is to agree to disagree.

Yeah, there is no magic solution to making conflicts over socioeconomic class differences go away. But these tips can help you manage those types of conflicts.

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

Socioeconomic class differences: A personal story

As a first generation and low income college student, I had my share of conflicts over socioeconomic class differences. The most memorable conflict happened my third year in college, when I was dating a guy from an upper-class family. Everything in the relationship was going well, until the SATs came up... The conversation, which was the beginning of the end, went a little something like this:

Me: You seriously thing that the SATs are a valid measure of anything?

Him: If it wasn't for the SATs, I don't think I would've made it to college. My grades weren't the best, my SAT score got me in. My high school didn't meet my needs. I had to get a tutor for the SATs.

Me: And where does that leave students whose parents can't afford a tutor? You realize that the SAT is a better measure of your parents' income than any kind of academic achievement. You went to one of the best high schools in the state. On a scale of one to 10, your high school is a 10, mine is a 2. My history textbook was so old the USSR still existed. Don't tell me that your high school didn't meet your needs. My high school barely met any students' needs as a whole. How dare you say that your high school didn't meet your needs. You're an ignorant, spoiled idiot!

Him: I'm sorry you think I'm an ignorant, spoiled idiot.

Me: I'm sorry you don't understand why I think you're an ignorant, spoiled idiot. (And I walked out of the room.)

Of course, at the time I felt completely justified. But in retrospect, I could have handled it better... Tune in tomorrow to find out how!

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

5 friends to have in college

Let's face it, friends are an important part of life. And as a first generation or low income college student, friends can be an important part of your success. I won't bore you with platitudes about how awesome friends are. Hopefully, you already know what friends can add to your life.

Photo credit: http://www.compasstocollege.org/

But, different friends add different things to you life, so here are 5 folks you should have in your life as a first generation or low income college student:

1. The Non-College Friend. This is the friend from outside of your college realm that will help you keep things in perspective. Having someone not connected with your school can be a big help when your college is giving you grief.

2. The Neighbor. This is not necessarily the person that lives right next to you, but it is someone local. This is your nearby, go-to friend that can be there for you in a pinch.

3. The Wise Sage. It is always handy to have someone in your life who has plenty of experience that you can learn from. This older, wiser friend can help guide you through tough situations. This friend can be a great mentor, too.

4. The Back-in-the-Day Friend. This is the friend that knew you long before college. His or her job is to keep you grounded and connected to your roots.

5. The In-the-Same-Boat Friend. This is another first generation or low income college student, someone that really understands what you are going through because he or she is going through it too.

There you have it. These 5 friends can help you get through the thick and thin of surviving college. Now go out and make some friends.

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

Finding a mentor

I just read an article on how Centennial College earned an award for engaging first-generation learners, and one of the keys to success of their program was a mentoring component. I'd have to agree that having a mentor can be an important part of your success as first generation and low income college students.

Photo credit: http://learnthat.com

So how do you go about finding a mentoring relationship? First, don't think it has to be a structured or formal relationship. Think of mentoring as learning from someone you respect, whether or not there is a formal recognition of the relationship. Here are  tips to start a mentoring relationship as a first generation or low income college student:

Don't look too far. Think about who you click with already. Chances are that you already have people in your life--like professors, older friends, or campus advisors--who would be great mentors. Don't force it.

Look for resources. If no one you know springs to mind, try asking professors, the alumni office, or career services center for advice about finding a mentor. Your campus also might have a formal program already in place.

Meet on their turf. Seek out interactions with your chosen mentor in familiar settings at first, like office hours for advisors and professors. This will prevent things from getting awkward if the match is not quite right.

Express yourself. After a few solid meetings on their turf, consider telling your mentor how much you are gaining from your relationship and asking them to be your mentor.You can suggest meeting for lunch or going to a campus event together, just keep it professional.

Ask the right questions. There are two types of questions you should be asking a mentor. First ask mentors questions about themselves to get to know more about their experiences that are relevant to you. Second, ask questions about feedback for you. And take their answers seriously.

After following these steps, hopefully you have found a nurturing and successful mentoring partnership out there.

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

4 ways to bridge family and campus life

first generation and low income college students are more likely to have a family, so balancing family life with college life can be tricky sometimes. One was to help with this balance is to involve your family in campus life when it makes sense.

Yeah, I don't have kids yet, but I've worked with enough student-parents to know that these suggestions work. So, here are 4 ways for bridging the gap between family life and campus life:

Introduce them to campus. Arrange a campus tour for your family, usually through admissions or visitors' center. If a pre-arranged tour is not an option, do it yourself. Bonus points if you can talk and walk backwards at the same time.

Plan a picnic. Bring your family on to campus and eat a meal. If your campus has a center or quad area, the heart of campus is a great place to host a bite. If you kids are old enough to make a meal, let them plan the menu.

Photo credit: http://www.elcivics.com

Read a book. You are doing a lot of reading, and hopefully you are encouraging your family to read as well. Bring your family to the campus library and check out a book or two for them. Talk to the librarians to see where appropriate books for your kids are or if there are other age-appropriate resources around.

Make a play date. Although a lot of campuses are not set up for playing, taking your family to campus to play can be a great outing, especially with younger kids. This is also an opportunity to be creative and get your kids' imaginations going. If you campus has a craft or activity center, bring your kids there for some arts and crafts time.

It also might be a good idea about to talk to your family about what you are experiencing as a college student. Anyhow, I hope you have a fun time with your family on campus.

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

Memory dump

You've stuck to a study plan and you're prepared for the test... now what? As a first generation or low income college student when you walk into that test all ready to lay the smackdown on it, doing a memory dump is an effective test-taking strategy to get the test started right.

Photo credit: http://lsyinx.blogspot.com/

Um, what's a memory dump, you ask? A memory dump is when you start off the test by taking a few minutes to quickly write down everything you can remember, things like dates, formulas, names, or facts. Use a piece of scrap paper, the margins, or the back of the test to write everything down.

After this initial memory dump, scan the test and do another memory dump based on what your scan makes you think of. Now that you have dumped your memory twice, you are ready to begin the test with confidence.

This test-taking strategy works really well for multiple choice and short-answer tests, as well as history or vocabulary-based tests. Have a great day of academic achievement as you dump your memory.

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

Should you put a graduation date on a resume?

Although I gear Ask an Advisor toward current first generation and low income college students, I know future college students and graduates are among my dear readers. This one is for the recent first generation college graduates out there... A reader writes:

"Do I have to put my graduation date on my resume? I dislike putting it because then they'll think I am a recent graduate and don't have the years of experience. I didn't do the tradition path of school then work."

You are not the only one that "didn't do the tradition path of school then work" out there. First generation and low income college students are more likely to start college later and work full-time while in school, so many first generation college graduates will find themselves in this same boat.

So, if you are concerned about assumptions a potential employer might make about you as a recent graduate (or working student), I'd suggest putting your education after experience on your resume. This works really well when you have a relevant working history.

However, you should always include your graduation date at this point. If you don't, employers tend to assume things like you are significantly, significantly older or you didn't graduate. If you are a current student, you should include your expected graduation date, with the word "Anticipated" or "Expected" in front of it. Don't worry if you're not sure, just put your best guess and update it as things change.

Typically, after you have been out of school for 10 or more years you could remove your graduation date without these types of assumptions being a concern.

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

Measure twice, cut once

I am feeling much better after a brief stint in the hospital during which I had the genius idea to expand the Ask an Advisor empire! So I ditched the blogspot url, ponied up for a domain of my very own (woo hoo, http://www.askanadvisor.org!!!), and decided to start consulting... and I have two clients already!

For one project, I'm working on an awesome campaign to promote first generation college student pride at my alma mater. First, I'm helping with the marketing materials for the campaign and got to work designing this graphic:

I was in love with this graphic, I was so excited to be a part of this project, I was ridiculously thrilled with my handiwork... Then I reviewed the specifications and was crushed, just utterly heartbroken. As awesome as I thought this graphic was, I couldn't get it to fit the specifications without looking like hell. Then I got really angry with myself for not starting with the specifications and going from there...

The moral of the story? Before tackling assignments, always, always, always read the specifications, grading rubric, guidelines, syllabus, or whatever first. In construction, there is the saying, "Measure twice, cut once." Basically, this means know exactly what you need to do and have a plan before you get started.

Reviewing the specifications given to me before putting time into designing a graphic I can't use now would have saved me a lot of time, energy, and heartache...

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

The Advisor is sick

Sorry there was no post yesterday, but I had to go the the emergency room because I was having a serious allergic reaction to I have no idea what....

Photo credit: http://kidsincludedtogether.blogspot.com/

So, I imagine you will give me a break. And while I recover, check out The College Survival Handbook for tips on how to take care of yourself when you're sick in college.

First generation & low income pride!

Yesterday was National Coming Out Day, a day all about pride and support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community and its allies. The Advisor proudly came out in support of the wonderfully diverse LGBT folks out there.

Today, let's talk a little more about pride, first generation and low income college students pride! Some first generation and low income college students attempt to hide their background from their classmates because they might be ashamed of it or assume they might be treated differently if people knew their deep dark secret. But I tell you, my dear readers, be proud of who you are and where you came from.

When you're open about being a first generation or low income college student, you'd be surprised about the community you find. Some campuses are making an effort to get our stories out there, like California State University, Fresno's First Generation Story Project.

Say it loud and proud: I am proud to be the first generation in my family to attend college. I am proud to overcome the adversities of being from a low income family and I am not ashamed of my background.

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

The Advisor is coming out

Today is National Coming Out Day! In fact, it is the 22nd annual National Coming Out Day, so it is only fitting that The Advisor comes out in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality!!!

First generation and low income college students (and everyone else, too) come in all shapes and sizes, and all sexual orientations and gender identities. Whether or not you are aware of it, you have and will interact with individuals that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT). National Coming Out Day is all about being proud of who you are and supporting LGBT equality. I am wholeheartedly all for that!

For folks that are unfamiliar with the issues surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity--such as discrimination, homophobia, heterosexism--I encourage you to increase your awareness, knowledge, and sensitivity to these issues. Further, I challenge you to seek out resources to help build a safe and welcoming space for all individuals. Many college campuses have gender, sexuality, and LGBT resources available.

From College News, here is a National Coming Out Day news roundup:

• The Washington Post runs a story discussing the "show-up-and-share" approach to coming out at the office. 
• The Washington Blade highlights National Coming Out Day on college campuses and addresses the recent related tragedies. 
• The Tufts Daily runs down National Coming Out Day celebrations on campus, including various events planned for students, faculty and staff. 
• The Oklahoma Daily discusses what National Coming Out Day means on campus. 
• TowleRoad blog is asking readers to share their coming out stories. 
• And of course, there's a National Coming Out Day App for Facebook.

The Advisor is a proud supporter of the LGBT community. I hope everyone has a healthy, happy, and safe National Coming Out Day!

Got questions about coming out, the LGBT community, or the issues they face? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

6 steps to get ready for a test

Midterms, oh how you can make first generation and low income college students quake in their boots (or other fashionable footwear of choice).Why? Because midterms can bring up feelings of fear, stress, and anxiety--especially if you are feeling under-prepared for the upcoming test.

Photo credit: www.janegoodwin.net/

But don't be scared of your midterms! Preparation is the key to walking into class and laying the smackdown on a midterm. How do you prepare for a test? Easy, you follow these 6 steps:

1. Figure out the format. Because you've been going to class, visiting your professors in office hours, and following a sound study plan all semester, you already know what format the test will be, right?. If you don't, refer to the syllabus first or ask your professor if it's not in the syllabus. Is it multiple choice, short answer, fill in the blank, essay, in class, take home, open-book? Figure it out!

2. Review everything. Go over your notes with a fine-tooth comb and make additional notes or highlight the really important stuff. Look back at the assigned readings to see if anything pops out for you.

3. Identify your weaknesses. Don't spend time reviewing material you are comfortable with, instead focus on the areas where you aren't as solid.

4. Revisit the past. If available, check out the department or library reserves for previous tests from the class. Use the older tests to better acquaint yourself with the material and format of the test. If old tests are not available, create your own test. If you are in a study group or tutoring, work with your group or tutor on this.

5. Practice makes you better. Now that you've got those old tests or do-it-yourself practice test, take them! Create a similar environment and go through the motions of taking the test. For example, sit at a desk, set an alarm, and take the practice test from start to finish just as you would on test day.

6. Make your own study guide. After reviewing your notes and and taking your practice tests, summarize the highlights on a single sheet as your own study guide.

Now go forth, study well, and have a great day of academic achievement!

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

Suicide is a serious issue

This made my jaw drop, so I imagine it should make your jaw drop, too, and rightfully so:

"Suicide is a serious issue on college campuses. According to the American College Health Association, suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than all medical illnesses combined. Experts say the suicide rate peaks among young adults ages 20-24."  From http://www.king5.com/

With the recent well-publicized suicides of several college students, especially among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered students, I though it was important to address this issue. Suicide is a serious issue.

Thankfully, I have never had to deal with suicide with my students. However, for first generation and low income college students, feelings of isolation, self-doubt, and fear of failure--among other common negative feelings--can be risk factors for suicide. If you or someone you know has thought about suicide, check out this Help Guide for more information

Here are some national suicide prevention resources:

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 

In addition to these resources, most college campuses will have some sort of mental health resources and student crisis response team. Remember, asking for help does not mean you are crazy. It means you have the strength to reach out when you recognize you need the support. In the great words of Jerry Springer, "Take care of yourself, and each other."

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

4 keys to working in college

As a first generation or low income college student, there is a good chance that you will work while you are in school. I worked two part-time jobs for most of college and full-time every summer but one. From my own experience working while in college and as an advisor, I offer the following 4 tips for being a successful student-employee:

Do your research. Take a look at your finances to see how much you actually have to work. I've had a lot of students assume that they have to work more than they need to. Trust me, there is a big difference between having to work 12 hours a week and working 30 hours a week when you don't have to. Double check with financial aid that you are using all of the free money you qualify for.

Work on campus. When looking for a job, on-campus employers tend to be more flexible than off-campus employers because they are very in tune with the demands of student life and changes in a student's schedule each semester. You also have the advantage of being on-campus, so you can better balance your work schedule with your class schedule. If you do get an off-campus job, make sure you are very clear with your supervisor about your schedule and priorities. 

Don't spread yourself too thin. If possible, try not to work any more than 20 hours per week. This 20 hour limit is considered a good balance for working students. If you have to work more than 20 hours, consider taking a reduced courseload.

Think down the road. Try to get a job related to your goals after college. For example, if you want to work in business, apply for office jobs and positions with the business department. I knew I wanted to work with college students, so I applied for jobs as a peer counselor. When your college job is related to your after-college plans, it pays your bills while being a stepping stone to your future. Score!

These 4 tips will help you maintain a balance between school life and work life, which is another key to your success as a first generation or low income college student!

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

Torn between ART and SCIENCE. Can I do both?

I would really love to be answering questions from readers, but those have been few and far between... so I decided to address a question from a forum that I participate on. A forum poster writes:

I won't go into a lengthy explanation. I have a passion for the arts as well as a passion for knowledge and science. I am an undeclared major and am trying to decide which to devote my life to

I have contemplated double majoring, but it seems like I'd be spreading myself too thin in completely opposite fields. I'd rather be able to focus all of my energy on one and be the best at it. Its really hard, because it seems like the more logical choice would be to go with science and do art as a hobby...but I can't really live with that. Every time I meet an art major I get super jealous of what they get to do. But at the same time I would feel inadequate academically as an art major. Its really confusing.

So is there any one else struggling with this kind of decision? How do you know which path you're supposed to take? Is there a realistic way I could do BOTH?

For science I'm considering majoring in biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, psychology (not a B.S. but still science-y enough) or even physics. I don't know if any of those can go well with art. Help?

Trying to figure out your major can be a difficult choice, especially if you are torn between very different areas of study. In this particular case, there are a couple of issues going on.

First, don't think that choosing a major means you have to decide what to devote your life to. Yes, your major should be something that you are deeply interested in, but it does not have to define the rest of your life. Give yourself a break and don't feel pressured to figure out everything right now. Take your time, it's okay.

Also, don't assume that you would be spreading yourself too thin by double majoring (especially if your science major is not a BS). You might want to try starting off on the double majoring path, taking classes in both areas, to see how they balance and which ones you like more. You will make a much better decision this way than before you have even taken the classes. This plan might also be helpful if you are considering minoring in one area instead of double majoring.

Last, try making an appointment with the career center at your school. Career counseling tools such as an interest inventory (like the Strong Interest Inventory), personality assessment (like the Myers Briggs), values assessment, or skills assessment can help you find the direction that you are looking for. These tools can help you figure out your major and plans for after college and career planning.

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

Credit cards are the devil

As a first generation or low income college student, you are sure to see credit card companies with their sexy offers of a free t-shirt, gift certificate, paintball pass, or whatever on and around campus. But don't give in, it's a trap!

Photo credit: http://coyoteprime-runningcauseicantfly.blogspot.com

You might think those sexy freebies make a compelling case for why you should take a few minutes out of your day and fill out an application. You might think you can get the freebie, but you'll never get a credit card. However, a lot of first generation and low income college students do not consider the long-term consequences of getting that credit card.

Credit cards let you buy now and pay later, with interest. If you are responsible and make a plan for how you are going to pay off purchases, they can be a good thing. But let's be honest, most of us are not this responsible. Most of us will buy that new $200 outfit and pay the $20 minimum payment at 18% interest. In the long-run, that $200 outfit will cost you more than $600, not counting all the other purchases charged on that same credit card or others.

Bottom line, when it comes to credit cards, proceed with extreme caution. And empower yourself with information, so check out Choosing A Credit Card: The Deal is in the Disclosures from the Federal Trade Commission before you sign on the dotted line.

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

Pay attention to deadlines

From when you can register for classes to the last day of final exams, there are all kinds of dates and deadlines you need to be aware of as a first generation or low income college student. And those deadlines matter!

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Knowing about and meeting deadlines is vital to your success as a first generation or low income college student. Here are 4 tips to keep those looming deadlines fresh in your mind:

Map it out. At the beginning of every semester, create a master calendar for yourself with both campus deadlines and assignment deadlines for each class. 

Lie to yourself a little. On your master calendar, consider setting deadlines a day or two before the actual deadline as extra insurance that you meet those deadlines, especially if you tend to procrastinate.

Be aware of the consequences. While you are plotting out your master calendar, make sure you know what will happen if you miss a deadline. Missing a deadline can cost you time and money or even impact your grades.

Remind yourself. If you use an online or electronic calendar like Google Calendar or iCalendar, set email or text message reminders for important deadlines. 

Now, stay you on your game, meet those deadlines, and have a great day of academic achievement. 

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

Off-campus resources

When it comes to first generation and low income college students, I am a huge proponent of advocating the use of resources--and that usually means on-campus resources specific to your college. But those are not the only resources out there. As a first generation or low income college student, look beyond your campus for community resources, too!

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Community resources, especially if you have relocated for school, can be invaluable to your success in college. Community resources might include, but are not limited to: 

• Churches or religious-based services
• Support groups
• Counseling centers
• Recreation centers or gyms
• Low-cost or subsidized childcare or after-school programs
• Housing services

Find these types of community resources by checking out local media, talking to community members, and getting out there yourself. Or just Google it. Like I've said before concerning resources, you never really know when you (or a friend) may need to use a resource, so knowing your options beforehand is your best bet.

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

6 steps to efficient proofreading

Another expectation you may or may not be aware of as a first generation college student is that any written work that you turn in for a class in college is expected to be free of any grammatical or spelling errors. It is expected to be your very best work, so only relying on good ol' (or bad ol') spellchecker is a surefire way not to present your best work. Spellchecker is not your friend!
 
When it comes to the last steps of the writing process, you cannot put all your faith in a machine to do your very human task of proofreading and final editing. Spellchecker will tell you that principle and principal are spelled correctly, but which one did you intend to use? Same thing goes for their, there, and they're, compliment and complement, two, to, and too, its and it's, and so on. 

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You may fear the evil red pen used to correct your papers in the past. You might assume your paper will look like it's hemorrhaging with all of the red marks on it. Regardless of how you feel about it, you can avoid being screwed over by spellchecker dependency by following these 6 steps to efficient proofreading: 

1. Print out your paper. People tend to notice things more when reading a hard copy, so don't just sit and stare at your monitor. 

2. Read it aloud.  Don't just read it, say it and pay attention. Does something sound off or doesn't flow just right? Hearing yourself can help you figure these things out far better than a cold reading. 

3. Begin at the end. Go sentence by sentence from the end of your paper and work your way to the start. Reading it backwards will keep your mind from assuming you know what's on the printed page.

4. Share your work. Ask someone you trust, someone who will be honest with you, to read it to see if he or she can pick out any mistakes. Better yet, get a few folks to look at it. You might even be spellchecker buddies with a friend, where you both help proofread the other person's work.

5. Take it to a pro. If your campus has a writing or tutoring center, have your paper reviewed by someone there. And don't forget to actually follow their advice.

6. Wash, rinse, repeat. Now that you've gone through the above steps, do them all again after you've made any changes to make sure your changes were for the better.

These 6 steps will help ensure that you are turning in your very best work!

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

College is not a contest

I've seen some first generation and low income college students approach college like they have to beat everyone at some imaginary contest. I mean crazy things like hiding your roommates notes so she can't study for a class you're taking together or not sharing information with your study group. Anything to give yourself "an edge."

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Um, college is not a contest that you have to conquer by beating everyone else at the game. Yes, it's a challenge, but not against anyone else. Think abut it this way: In no way are you expected to outperform your classmates. You are there for yourself, so as a first generation or low income college student you don't have to best your classmates for your grade.

Your ultimate goal as a student is to learn at your own pace, irrespective of what others are doing. This also means that you should never feel inferior or somehow inadequate if you don't get something the first time around. Even if the grading is on a curve, you can only do your best--and that's all you can do! 

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

6 steps to asking professors for feedback

Having useful, timely, and consistent feedback from professors can be a big help in ensuring your success as a first generation or low income college student. Feedback is your opportunity to learn valuable information abut professors' expectations, to improve on your areas of weakness, and make yourself a better student--and possibly a better person. The really awesome professors will build feedback into a class and it will feel seamless.

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Unfortunately, not all professors are really awesome like this. This means that you might have to work to get their feedback on your own. So, how do you go about asking your professors for feedback? Follow these 6 steps:

1. Butter them up first. Go to their office hours and start by telling your professors your favorite parts of the class or otherwise complimenting them. Yes, flattery will get you everywhere.

2. Offer up your own feedback first. Mention something that will help you do well in the class, like improving your understanding of key concepts, learning the vocabulary better, or better integrating the readings with the lectures.

3. Be direct. Just flat out ask for feedback to help you do well in the class. Don't be shy about it or beat around the bush.

4. Take notes. As your professor is doling out feedback, write it down so you have it forever and ever. Don't rely on your memory, no matter how awesome you think it is.

5. Say thank you. No matter what happens, always, always, always thank your professors for taking the time to give you feedback (or hear you out if they don't).

6. Reveal your master plan. After you've said your thank you's, this is also a good time to mention how you intend to put their feedback into action.

Your request might sound something like this, "Professor Doe, I am really enjoying your developmental psychology class, especially learning about child behavior. I think I could work on learning the vocabulary better--I can never keep enuresis and encopresis straight. Other than that, I was wondering if you had any feedback for me so that I can excel in your class." (Whip out your notebook to take notes!)

Hopefully you get some useful feedback from your professors, to which you can reply, "Thank you very much Professor Doe. I appreciate your feedback. I am really going to try (fill in the blank) this week. Thank you again. I'll see you in class tomorrow."

Getting feedback is your first step to improving yourself as a student, so go for it and have a great day of academic achievement.