Ben Kaplan's blog

Three Can't Miss Rules for a Better Class Reunion

Posted July 29, 2011 - 4:40pm by Ben Kaplan
Let's get jiggy with it on the reunion dance floor!
 
When I attended my first class reunion a few years ago, I walked up to a familiar-looking girl and asked if we had been in the same history class.
 
When she said she wasn’t sure, I reminded her that I was, in fact, that really charming, funny, dashingly handsome guy who she thought was really cool.  For some reason, the description didn’t ring a bell.
 
In case you, too, are faced with a similar conversation this summer during your own high school or college reunion, I’ve compiled a short list of helpful tips.
 
Rule No.

Free College Courses Available Online

Posted May 4, 2010 - 10:55am by Ben Kaplan
Free College Courses Available Online

Did you know that college and universities around the world post courses online that you can take for free?  Better yet, several websites exist that aggregate these courses, filter the best ones, and help you find subjects you're interested in learning.

Here are a few the leading college course websites:

Latest Trends in College Tuition: The Good, Bad, and Ugly

Posted November 2, 2009 - 12:26am by Ben Kaplan
How high can college costs really go?

These days, many students and parents are asking a simple question:  How can college costs continue to rise even when families like ours face lower incomes and less job security?  

Unfortunately, the answer isn’t an easy one:  The combination of state funding declines, plummeting college endowment valuations, and record student enrollments has put upward pressure on tuition prices, even in the midst of economic recession.

The result:  According to a recent report by the College Board, tuition and fees at 4-year private colleges rose 4.4% to $26,273 per year, while tuition and fees at 4-year public colleges rose 6% to $7,020 per year (in-state students) and $18,548 (out-of-state students). 

Using Online Tools to Take Notes and Manage Your Courses

Posted February 23, 2009 - 9:36am by Ben Kaplan

For those students whose organization skills aren’t the greatest—most students I know probably fit the bill—two helpful websites, mynoteIT (www.mynoteIT.com) and  Notely (www.notely.net), offer “digital backpack” solutions. 

Using these free online tools, students can maintain a calendar of assignments, automatically remind themselves about upcoming due dates, take notes and share them with study group members, manage to-do lists and even keep a running tally of quiz grades.  And since this data is stored online, any student can access all of this from friends’ computers, too.

Don't Rely on College Prestige Rankings

Posted June 19, 2008 - 12:24pm by Ben Kaplan

Students who rely too heavily on U.S. News & World Report college rankings often come away disappointed with their eventual college choice.  Just because one college is ranked, say, 17 places higher than another in a subjective national poll doesn’t necessarily mean that the first school is any better than the second one, nor does it mean that the first school is a better "fit" for you.

Choosing a college based solely on such rankings is like deciding what to eat for dinner based on a survey of restaurant owners.  Sure, you might get some ideas, but there is no guarantee that any particular dish will truly fit your tastes.

Need a "Clocky" to Wake Up in the Morning?

Posted June 18, 2008 - 3:34pm by Ben Kaplan

Does your favorite student hit the “snooze” button a few too many times each morning?  If so, consider getting him or her a "Clocky" runaway alarm clock. 

Designed by a MIT grad student as part of an industrial design class, Clocky ($50 at www.nandahome.com) sports two oversized wheels and instructions to jump from the bedside nightstand, move in random directions, nest in a hiding spot and beep all the while. 

To turn Clocky off, the student will first have to get out of bed and find the plucky device.  The subsequent adrenaline-fueled search might just be enough to get him or her awake for the day.

Presidential Diaries and the Benefits of Journal Writing

Posted May 23, 2008 - 1:05pm by Ben Kaplan

When Ronald Reagan was elected the 40th President of the United States, he adopted a remarkable daily ritual:  Despite the intense demands on his time and the extreme pressure of his work, he decided to keep a daily handwritten diary.

In this journal, Reagan dutifully recorded his innermost thoughts and observations—a highly personal account of key moments in American history and the small joys of White House life from the perspective of someone with a front row seat.

A College Essay Mistake: The Multi-Topic Combo Meal

Posted May 20, 2008 - 5:39pm by Ben Kaplan

I've been reading a lot of college admissions essays lately and I feel compelled to mention one common mistake I've noticed.  I call it the "multi-topic combo meal."

When you are trying to show your thoughtfulness, creativity, and eloquence all in one essay, choosing a primary topic on which to focus can be difficult. As a result, many applicants don’t make this decision at all; they just lump together all of their thoughts on the topic like a stew made from incompatible leftovers.

The result is usually a fragmented essay of incomplete, incoherent arguments--in other words, a confusing jumble of unpalatable ideas.

Sports Scholarships Are Awarded a Year At a Time

Posted May 20, 2008 - 4:55pm by Ben Kaplan

I'd like to take this opportunity to clear up a common misconception:  Contrary to popular belief, athletic scholarships awarded by college coaches are not guaranteed for a student's entire college career.

On the contrary, athletic scholarships actually cover a one-year period and are renewable for up to five years.  Most are renewed annually, but some are cancelled or renegotiated.  That’s not the same as a guaranteed scholarship.

The most common reason scholarships are not renewed is dismissal from the team.  Whether the cause is bad grades, substance abuse, or violation of team rules, any athlete who is kicked off a team has his or her scholarship revoked. The same goes for athletes who voluntarily quit.

Where Do U.S. Students Go to Study Abroad?

Posted May 20, 2008 - 4:31pm by Ben Kaplan

Are you a student who might be interested in studying abroad?  If so, you might be interested to know the 20 most popular countries for U.S. students:

1.  United Kingdom
2.  Italy
3.  Spain
4.  France
5.  Australia
6.  Mexico
7.  China
8.  Germany
9.  Costa Rica
10.  Ireland
11. Japan
12. Greece
13.  Argentina
14.  Czech Republic
15.  Austria
16.  Chile
17.  New Zealand
18.  South Africa
19.  Brazil
20.  Ecuador

And what is the most popular year to study abroad?  About 34 percent those heading overseas choose to do so during their junior year of college.

Syndicate content