Often when college graduates embark on their new careers, they are wide-eyed and willing, looking to soak up any knowledge and advice bestowed upon them.

Jones NY has recognized that and created a Little Black Book of Career Advice from over 100 of whom they believe to be the most influential women of our time.

Ranging from Bravo’s Real Housewives to the President of Epic Records, to a former 1st Daughter, the advice and case studies can be read or listened to via audio files and begins with a foreword from former White House Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers.

Here are a couple highlights from the collection:

• Arianna Huffington (Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Huffington Post): As Emerson said: “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Read the rest of this entry »

No matter who you talk to, college is often looked at as a great way to better yourself. Some things that aren’t talked about as much are the negative aspects of college.

Granted, there is a rigorous process for getting into whichever college you attend: you must submit standardized tests, transcripts and, in some cases, sit for interviews. With all that work to get accepted, there are some people that don’t put as much focus or thought into staying in school. The temptation of skipping class, staying out late partying, socializing and drinking can be a lot to handle. Or sometimes there are unexpected problems that arise that make it impossible for you to keep up with your assignments. Money, family and personal issues can quickly shift your priorities.

Not going to class or turning in homework, for whatever reason, can lead to bad grades. If you keep up with that routine, you will soon find yourself on academic probation. Each student attending school is required to maintain a certain grade point average to be in good standing with the school. If you fall below that grade point average on a cumulative level, you will typically be placed on academic probation. Academic probation serves as a warning to students that if they don’t raise their grades, they could be kicked out of school. Read the rest of this entry »

College and high school are drastically different. Once you go to college, you’ve got a lot more freedom. It’s totally up to you as a student to go to class, remember to do your homework and study for tests. Sometimes that level of responsibility can be good, and for some, it can spell trouble.

Your level of attentiveness and class participation translates directly into your grades. If you miss class, or constantly show up late, you miss out on assignments, important notes the teacher might give, test dates and your grades can suffer. Having a high grade point average (GPA) in college can translate into getting into better graduate school programs, getting a better job or even being eligible for the best internships.

For those that find they have a need to try and raise their GPA, there is hope. These tips can even be used by those just starting college to keep their grades top notch. Whether you plan to go to graduate school or not, having a high GPA can be a helpful tool to show you’ve mastered your curriculum.

Go to class: Being in class shows your professors that you care enough to be there. Being in class will ensure that you never miss out on a surprise quiz, project or participation points. Many teachers have chosen to give students credit just for going to class. Those points can make the difference between letter grades. Also, if you’re constantly in class, you’re bound to absorb more of that information that’s being tossed around, whether you mean to or not. Read the rest of this entry »

As students across the country prepare to embark on their fall semester of college, many students are experiencing a range of emotions: fear, excitement, nervousness, confusion, overwhelmed, etc. A lot of students might find that while they have waited their whole high school careers for these next couple of months, there is the chance that they may actually hate college.

So, what do you do if you get to college and absolutely cannot stand it? Well, here are your options.

• Reflect. Ask yourself if you’re just having a rough couple of weeks or difficulty adjusting. Most students take 5-7 months to really get their bearings at a university and you may just need to stick it out and try a little harder.

• Join a club, sports team or go Greek. An organization can introduce you to a lot of potential new friends and fill your social calendar to distract you from any feelings of homesickness or loneliness. And while Greek recruitment can be difficult in and of itself, I promise it’s worth it in the end!

• Consider transferring to another school. Maybe it’s not the entire college experience you hate, it might just be your living situation, your campus or your professors. Half way through your second semester, if you are still unhappy, consider researching online about transferring to another school that will accept your credits so you don’t have to start all over. Read the rest of this entry »

The field of psychology is one that will forever be needed, and thus, there will always be jobs available. Psychology is the scientific study of human mental functions and behaviors. From therapists to counselors, a psychology degree can get you involved in the field of helping people by helping them to understand themselves.

Those that want to go into this field can choose to earn a psychology undergraduate degree or choose to continue their education all the way up to the doctoral level. The higher your education in this field, the more responsibility you’ll have with your employment. Those with a psychology bachelor’s degree can find careers in case management, as a career counselor, rehabilitation specialist or psychiatric technician. However, psychology is usually one of those fields where most students choose to get an undergraduate degree as a stepping stone to higher level degrees. Read the rest of this entry »

How do you tell your roommate that he or she needs to shower more, without hurting their feelings or creating a conflict? Dr. Fayr Barkley has some good advice.

There are several things to consider before you approach your roommate with a bar of soap. Take into account the closeness of your relationship, cultural differences and emotional sensitivity. “Think in terms of how you would like to hear it from someone,” Dr. Barkley writes for hercampus.com. “The words you would want to hear, the sincerity of the person, the benefits you would want to know about having good hygiene and some points on how to go about making the change.”

Read the rest of this entry »

UPDATE [10/18/2011]: An updated edition of College Is Yours by Patrick O’Connor is now available under the title College Is Yours 2.0.

Applying to college can seem like such a daunting and overwhelming task that many students don’t fully consider which school is really right for them. Students often obsess over getting into the “top school,” without finding out if that university or college has an academic and social environment that will suit them. College is Yours, in 600 Words or Less by Patrick O’Connor is the college guide that will help students find the college where they will actually be happy. Read the rest of this entry »

You just spent the last 13, 17, or 21 years of your life in school. You’ve graduated; you’re finished. Now what?! As much as most people look forward to this change, this rite of passage, it can be a major stressor that leaves many graduates feeling lost, depressed, overwhelmed, or afraid.

Some may not have looked forward to the “real world” and continued in school, at least partially to avoid this phase of life. For some people, school was just what they were expected to do, whether it was an expectation they handed to themselves or was handed to them by others. It is easy to feel lost when you don’t have a game plan or know what the next step is.

Here are five ways a college graduate can transition to the real world:

1. Be Realistic. Sometimes graduates place too much expectation on themselves to immediately achieve. Although some have immediate luck, it can take months to find your first professional job. Have a plan, but make your goals realistic. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’ve chosen a college in a different climate zone that your hometown, then adjusting to the weather is just one more college transition that’s going to take place. The south-bound northerners will relish the warm fall days and mild winters, while the north-bound southerners will realize quickly that long underwear are very real and very necessary.

Preparing your wardrobe for the climate change ahead is quite simple, and will afford you a back to school shopping spree!

Wardrobe needs for warmer climates:

• Swimsuits
• Shorts
• Cotton T-shirts (especially with the school logo or mascot) Read the rest of this entry »

As with everything else in a college student’s life, staying healthy and avoiding downtime due to illness is entirely possible when you choose to make your health a priority. Everything from taking regular medications to scheduling check-ups should be on your calendar or to-do list. While it may seem like a waste of time, the days you don’t spend with the flu, a cold or worse will be the reward.

Schedule Regular Check-Ups

Whether you continue seeing your physicians at home, or make use of the campus health facility, seeing the eye doctor, dentist, gynecologist and others are important to do so on time. Read the rest of this entry »